Windows 7: Restoring to Factory Settings

Hi, I would like to restore my laptop to the factory settings.

When i tried to do the factory reset by pressing F11 during the startup am getting the error message as "Failed to Start Windows. A recent hardware or software might affected....." like this.

I don't have repair disk as well as the OS CD. I don't have both of these. Apart from this i tried to restore it to previous points that too didn't work.

So i would like to know how can i fix this problem without having the repair disk, OS CD, Bootable CD & backups. I dont have any of these to perform factory reset.

Please help me to solve this issue ASAP.....

Thanks in advance!

It would be nice to now the Make & model of the Notebook.
As you are use F11, as Factory Recovery, sounds like a ACER.

Acer Empowering Technology > Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support - Answers, E-Mail, Chat - How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?

Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf

Have you tried pressing <Alt+F10> at boot up, to goto the Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for How to use Acer eRecovery

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

If you have not made your Startup Repair
System Repair Disc - Create
Do you have a mate with Windows 7 & CD/DVD RW Drive, how could burn one off.

Hello tokarna, welcome to Seven Forums!


Here's another option, have a thorough look through the information in this guide linked below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

If you are NOT using Acer computer, please ignore this post.

If you do use Acer, please use this link :

Acer recovery without a CD ....
Acer Laptop Recovery Without CD

Sorry i missed out to mention the laptop make and model while posting...

My laptop model is Hp Pavilion dv4-2161nr. I tried all the options. But no luck so far. So please help me out to solve this issue ASAP.

Looks like my recovery partition also corrupted since its not allowing me to launch the recovery manager by pressing F11 during the startup. I got this info from the HP Customer support.

Awaiting for the solution to my query..

Thanks in advance.

Did you have a look through the information in the tutorial at this link below?

If all else fails, you have two choices:

1. Buy a set of recovery discs from HP
2. Beg, buy or borrow a Windows DVD and install that using the COA Product Key on your laptop

You can get recovery discs here: HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

I would Check the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic tools.
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
HD Diagnostic

Did you make your HP Recovery Disk?

How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Compaq Mini CQ10-500 PC series*-* HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center

I checked the option Clean Install of COA. It will erase the recovery partition also right. I dont want to go into that situation. i just want to do a factory reset without affecting the things. Please help me in this regard.

HP usually ships installation disks for a $20 S&H charge.

But you should have at least burnt the recovery DVD from the recovery partition - or better even, taken an image after the initial installation. Maybe next time.

As it looks, you do not have that option.