Factory settings

[AngryGentlemen]

I've been getting BSOD so I wanted to restore my computer to factory settings. However, every time I try to restore: ( Start> Search ''restore'' > restore your computer to an earlier time> Advanced Recovery Methods> Return your computer to factory condition)
I get an error saying something about how it can't start the process. When it does restart the computer, I get some options saying system restore, repair computer, command prompt ect. none of which help.

I spoke with someone who had this problem and they said that there was a command prompt that will delete any files that didn't come with the system. If anyone knows that code or can help me restore my computer to factory settings write a line. Thx

PS I lost my windows CD but I do have the product key and all that.

 

[Ztruker]

You can also start the Recovery process at boot time by pressing a Fn key. WHich one depends on the make and model number of the computer. Provide that and we can help find the online manual which will tell you how to do this.

Alternatively, and really a better choice: If you do not have a Windows 7 installation DVD, you can download a legal copy with SP1 integrated from here: Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River.
Make sure you get the same version you have, Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate and 32 or 64 bit. Note that Basic or Starter is not available.

I recommend using ImgBurn at 4X speed (or the slowest available) to create the DVD from the downloaded .iso file.

Once you have that, follow the directions here. Make sure all your data is backed up as Factory restore or clean install will wipe the hard drive.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[AngryGentlemen]

How can I get the other sp's? Also, how do I tell which windows version I'm running?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

How can I get the other sp's? Also, how do I tell which windows version I'm running?

Hiyya and welcome Angry just as a matter of curiosity what brand of machine have you got? As Z says there are Fn and dedicated keys for different brand machines - providing you want to go back to out of the box.

Thats going to involve updates and getting the bloat off and tweaking my friend no mean feat but worth it.
I have had to factory default one of my Toshiba machines five times before I gave up stuck an SSD, more RAM and an OEM in and now it runs really quite well. - just a suggestion you might consider and you can always back up data onto an external mate.

Sorry Angry the version will be on the sticker. ie Home premium 32 or 64bit etc

 

[AngryGentlemen]

Hey there, ICit2lol. Thanks for the welcome. I have windows 7 home premium 64 bit running on an Emachines computer. I do not need any information to be backed up so it's fine to reset everything.

 

[AngryGentlemen]

btw should i get an avatar with a big nosed old man or...? Is that the theme?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya Angry this might be of some help http://www.ehow.com/how_6285065_restore-emachine-computer-factory-settings.html

and as they are owned by Acer I guess it might even include using sa factory default key for an Acer which currently comes up as F10 on power up but before you do that take a look at this ref I found out here.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1825061 the third post down I think might be what you are looking for.

But I think if they are not what you are looking for Z is also right get that ISO and if you have the activation code on the sticker you will be left with just Windows and not all the bloat too. The method is in the tutorials.

I'd be loathe to go delving around in the command window unless you really have explicit instructions or know exactly you have to do.

The Avatar mate you can pick anything that takes your fancy for your own that one of mine is the badge of the motorcycle club I used to belong to before having to give away biking with a wrecked shoulder (prospecting not dropping the bike). It is black and white but my mate Gary did a marvelous job of putting in the colours - something that would earn you a hiding at least out on the road as the Ulysses club is for the over 50's age group LOL!!

Just find a pic that you like save it to desktop and then add it as your Avatar in your User CP settings.

 

[gregrocker]

You are using System Restore, not Factory Recovery.

First you want to make your Recovery disks so you have a backup method to the most stable way to run Recovery, from within Win7 or by tapping the Fkey at boot.

How to make the backup disks and also trigger Recovery is shown here: eMachines Support - eMachines Recovery Management Software

You have another option as mentioned which is to abandon the preinstalled Win7 which has the sponsored bloatware and useless duplicate utilties and use the Product Key on your COA sticker to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything you need is in the blue link.

 

[AngryGentlemen]

I'm so glad there are nice people like you guys/girls in this world. My father didn't want to but he was going to buy a new windows cd to help me out. Cheers! I'll try this and see if it works. Thanks beautiful people YOU ALL ARE LIFE SAVERS

 

[gregrocker]

There is no reason to buy another copy of Windows because you own the one which came with the machine for it's life to be reinstalled as often as needed - either by running Factory Recovery from the OS, disks or by tapping F10 at boot, or Clean Reinstalling with the Product Key on the COA sticker which MS requires to be affixed to preinstalled Win7 PC's so users have a way to recover the OS even without the help of the PC maker.

 

[AngryGentlemen]

I'm getting this error: ''Windows installation encountered an unexpected error. Verify that the installation sources are accessible, and restart the installation. Error code: 0xE0000100''

 

[gregrocker]

What are you doing that generates this error? Are you trying to run Factory Recovery from it's partition or disks, or Clean Reinstalling with the installer provided in the tutoral?

Make sure you have unplugged all other HD's and peripherals.

Enter BIOS setup to reset BIOS to defaults. While in BIOS set SATA controller to AHCI.

If installation still fails, wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command by pressing the Shift + F10 key at first screen when booting the installer or Repair CD, the typing:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DISK # (replace # with Win7 target disk #)
CLEAN
EXIT

Then try install again.

 

[AngryGentlemen]

Greg, I have no idea what you're saying. I used the link to download windows 7 home premium edition and tried to install ''custom'' to wipe everything clean. That's the message I got when I tried.

 

[Ztruker]

You downloaded a .iso file. What program did you use to create a bootable DVD (or flash drive) from the .iso? DId you burn it at the slowest speed available?

 

[AngryGentlemen]

It was a program called nero. It automatically wrote onto a DVD. And I don't know if it was the slowest settings it did everything by itself.

 

[gregrocker]

Nero is crapware which no one recommends. This is why you were specifically advised to use ImgBurn, at 4x speed or the tool in the tutorial to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

In fact I would start over and follow the steps in the tutorial to get a perfect reinstall. I have now typed it out twice for you so hopefully you will start paying attention soon.

 

[AngryGentlemen]

Lol calm down... Ok so nero is crapware, redo steps, try to reinstall ok ill be back

 

[ICIT2LOL]

What are you doing that generates this error? Are you trying to run Factory Recovery from it's partition or disks, or Clean Reinstalling with the installer provided in the tutoral?

Make sure you have unplugged all other HD's and peripherals.

Enter BIOS setup to reset BIOS to defaults. While in BIOS set SATA controller to AHCI.

If installation still fails, wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command by pressing the Shift + F10 key at first screen when booting the installer or Repair CD, the typing:
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DISK # (replace # with Win7 target disk #)
CLEAN
EXIT

Then try install again.

Hiyya Greg and Angry I use the mini tool Partition Wizard

Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition.

and also follow up with what you are saying (as per whs tut for SSD's only leave the align bit out)
DISKPART (via CMD / admin)
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your SSD in List disk)
Clean
Create partition primary align=1024
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active (assuming you want to install an OS)
Exit

One can then go back in and check the partition as per whs tut

I found this if it is of any help

How To Fix 0xE0000100 Error? < there is a small link near the bottom for a fix.