Computer reverted it's settings like the day after reformatting it.

Rain08 · 27 Apr 2013

Hey guys I have a weird problem here, my computer reverted it's settings like the day after reformatting it which was 2 weeks ago, don't know why. My installed applications still here but the desktop shortcuts, pinned programs in the taskbar are missing, browsers are still here but the history, cache, add-ons, extensions and every settings for the browsers are deleted, it's like a newly installed one. Also a weird problem with the theme, currently on safe mode (just wanted to go to safe mode), my theme is like Windows XP, don't know that status in normal mode yet. Also before I can get to the desktop, it say's "Welcome" and then after that, this word appeared "Preparing your Desktop". I didn't do anything that will restore the PC to the date of reformatting it.

Edit: I know the reason, my PC did a system recover not restore without my interaction or anyone's interaction, what I did earlier was, plug the cables to the socket, turn on the PC and then selected safe mode (just wanted), while loading files, I went away for a while (don't know what's happening), after coming back, it was on the desktop, noticed shortcuts are missing but files are still there (working), restarted it, noticed that the "Preparing your Desktop" is appearing on the welcome screen. Will do system restore now, and see if every settings, files, etc., is restored, if it works, I need to know what caused my PC to do a system recover without my interaction or anyone's interaction.

Rain08 · 28 Apr 2013

Ok, just a sitrep, I'm on normal mode now, every setting and shortcuts are restored thanks to system restore, now I only need to know is why recovery manager did it's job without my interaction or anyones interaction.

Britton30 · 28 Apr 2013

In Safe Mode there is no theme and only minimal drivers will load. It looks normal for Safe mode. Since you saw "Preparing your Desktop" it seems the install wasn't completed right.

Rain08 · 28 Apr 2013

Britton30 said:

In Safe Mode there is no theme and only minimal drivers will load. It looks normal for Safe mode. Since you saw "Preparing your Desktop" it seems the install wasn't completed right.

Can you define "Install"? My HDD reformat was 2 weeks ago.

Britton30 · 28 Apr 2013

Sure, in this instance install means to add an operating system (OS) ex: w7, to a hard drive. Many people use the term "reformat" to mean a new install.

gregrocker · 28 Apr 2013

I would start over and follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as the HP preinstall or Factory Recovery is the worst possible install with the worst load of corrupting crapware in the industry.

If its available HP System Recovery may have on some models a "Minimal Recovery" option which is very close to a Clean Reinstall.

But you'd be better off making your Recovery disks, then wiping the HD of all code using Diskpart Clean Command to start fresh with the vastly superior Clean Reinstall.

Rain08 · 28 Apr 2013

Britton30 said:

Sure, in this instance install means to add an operating system (OS) ex: w7, to a hard drive. Many people use the term "reformat" to mean a new install.

I don't get it why would the install be now even though the reformat was 2 weeks ago? I don't get it.

gregrocker said:

I would start over and follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as the HP preinstall or Factory Recovery is the worst possible install with the worst load of corrupting crapware in the industry.

If its available HP System Recovery may have on some models a "Minimal Recovery" option which is very close to a Clean Reinstall.

But you'd be better off making your Recovery disks, then wiping the HD of all code using Diskpart Clean Command to start fresh with the vastly superior Clean Reinstall.

I'll just return my PC to the repair shop, some BSOD's/problems are coming back, I'll let them do their job and reformat the PC again. +1 for you for trying to help me :)

gregrocker · 28 Apr 2013

If you're interested enough in tech to visit us here, then why not do the reinstall yourself? You'll learn a lot about your PC and WIn7, save a lot of money, and we're here to help you along the way.

It's really not that hard to do the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

You can always take it to the shop if you're not happy with the way that turns out.

Either way let us know how it goes.

Rain08 · 28 Apr 2013

gregrocker said:

If you're interested enough in tech to visit us here, then why not do the reinstall yourself? You'll learn a lot about your PC and WIn7, save a lot of money, and we're here to help you along the way.

It's really not that hard to do the Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

You can always take it to the shop if you're not happy with the way that turns out.

Either way let us know how it goes.

I can but there are some problems, one, there's no W7 Home Basic (32 or 64), two, I have a slow internet speed, this could take a while.

Edit: Other reasons, because it's still under warranty from the repair shop and our country has one of the slowest internet speed if I can remember from the news, if I'm gonna download it from a cyber café then it would be the same, will take a while

gregrocker · 29 Apr 2013

You should have asked about WIn7 Basic so we could have told you that you need to download Home Premium, then unlock all versions in the installer by running the eicfg removal tool on the ISO file until it confirms it's been removed. You can then burn the DVD or write teh flash stick using the tool provided in Step 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If your PC is under warranty I can understand how you'd want to get it running perfectly before the warranty period expires. See if the shop will make you a disk.