Factory reset ended in failure

I think it just gave up searching. The box went full grey and no loading animation can be seen. All I can do now is moving the mouse and opening command prompt via shift+f10

Just a cursory search of your model Zenbook shows us it has a 32gb SSD cache chip that can be used for reinstall as detailed in this guide: [GUIDE] UX32VD - How to install Windows 7 on the integrated 32GB SSD | NotebookReview

All reports we've gotten previously on these is that these 32gb caching chips don't really speed things up much at all, but of course when users install Win7 to the SSD (usually as a test since it's so small) they benefit from the lightning speeds expected of SSD's.

Normally these chips are used with Intel Rapid Storage Technology although post #12 here suggests it uses a different one in case you want to further research how you could restore it's purpose to serve as fast caching and possibly faster boot for the 500gb hard drive.

Much else to read about your model: https://www.google.com/search?q=rein...x-a&gws_rd=ssl

Hi gregrocker, thanks for the information. Sadly, I have to inform you that the SSD cache mentioned has failed since around a year ago (I never used it anyway, because it shows with somehow an error in Disk Management). It might be a defect but well yeah, I kinda ignored it. Fool of me.

On the other hand, I finally managed to get into the command prompt from system recovery options after 1 hour worth of waiting. Cleaned the disk, now how should I proceed?

FYI the chip may appear to have failed, disappear, etc. until it is properly formatted as shown in the manufacturer's guide, in this case possibly by researching the actual maker revealed in our forums' post linked here. But as a curiousity, do any other drives show up in Diskpart List disk or Installer Drive selection window pictured below?

I can understand why you might want to set it aside since it is nearly impractical to use it for install as some once wanted to do, and as I said all reports we've had on this in at least a hundred cases are that it doesn't speed anything up unless you install to it.

So if you were able to Clean the drive then close the Command Box, select Install Now, proceed with install to UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

When you get to this step, create your partitions as you wish, or just click Next to let installer do it for you. There will be several small partitions created for UEFI system.

Will do, gregrocker. Just restarted and is now going to follow the guide you mention.

Thanks for bearing with me so far and I will update again if any other problem pops up.

Just read your edited post. Yes, I do remember 3 disks appeared. Disk#0 is around 30GB (which I believe is the iSSD), Disk#1 is around 465GB which is the HDD, and Disk #2 with 14GB (I think this is the UEFI USB). I cleaned only the Disk#1.

Once it is rockin and rollin to completion, switch to this guide for achieving and keeping a perfect Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint or return here with problems. You will keep perfect Win7 to the exact extent you stick with the tools and methods given.

Sure, gregrocker. A question though. In your experience, do anybody who clean installed with a bootable Flash stick has long installation time? After clicking the Install button, it went into "Setup is starting" and it took like, 7 minutes and still going...

It could be almost anything, from UEFI settings, to suspected bad chip. I have had long delays on some installs that turn out fine, but it is rare.

Do you have another stick to try if it comes to that? We also can change to a Legacy install to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7.

What are the CPU and RAM specs? Many netbooks use 32bit for better performance if much under 4gb RAM. That would require Legacy install anyway. I don't see a setting for CSM or Legacy install but on some BIOS' it only requires reformatting the stick for Legacy to MBR and choosing it as a plain flash stick in Boot Menu.

I think the next thing will be to go over the UEFI settings in BIOS with a fine tooth comb, after Resetting BIOS to Optimal Defaults. You should also check if there is a new BIOS update which may be needed to get the latest settings.