Cannot reformat

Recently, my computer got itself into a startup repair loop (the sources here didn't work, the one written by Peter). I haven't been able to access safemode or anything to actually get to my files as I had to go to a technician to back them up for me. So I have all the files I need / want and decided to do a system restore, the only issue being is that I do not know how to.

I pressed f9 and it ends up sending me back into the start up repair loop again. I have a system recovery disc that I made from my father's laptop. However, I still am not able to find a function or anything to get it to reformat to factory settings.

I am at a loss and grown frustrated with this...

Asus laptop. Model K72D series

someone please help me!

Hello phiferwolf, welcome to Seven Forums!



The factory recovery partition may be damaged and not of any use, did you not create the recovery disks when prompted when the PC was new? It is possible to purchase the set of disks from ASUS and I'm sure someone will post the link for that for you.


I'm posting this to give you something else to consider; as you may find it useful, and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you have the correct version Windows 7 installer as came installed on the PC, you can do a clean install and activate with the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC.

Since you are having issues, it may be best to do a complete wipe secure erase of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, especially as you have no data to lose, have a look through this information below.


Whether you use diskpart to run either the clean all command to completely wipe a HDD / SSD or just the clean command to remove the format configuration data and don't use diskpart to create at least a single partition to do the installation to, letting the Windows installer do the format you will end up with the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition, if you want to make your own decision whether this partition is added, study these two (2) options below.

• Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
• If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup