To-do before factory reset???

HighCountry

New Member
Messages
4
So I've purchased a new laptop that has never performed well. HP wants to do a remote wipe & factory reset. I need to save all my files, bookmarks, settings, etc. before we do this. Feel free to talk to me like I don't know what I'm doing, because essentially I don't. :) How do I back up everything necessary before we wipe this computer clean?
I have an external hard drive available for all the files, pictures, music... but I've never had to back up settings/bookmarks/etc.
If I'm asking a rather involved question or if there's a tutorial or previous post on this topic that I missed, please let me know.
And thank you in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion x360
    CPU
    Pentium N3520
    Memory
    4Gb Ram
    Browser
    Firefox
Welcome to Windows Eight Forums, HighCountry.

You have the right idea to back up all important files.

Do you sign into your computer with a MS account? If so, all settings, apps, and Start Screen arrangement will be saved and should be restored upon boot.

So far as Firefox, you may want to post that question here: http://www.eightforums.com/browsers-mail/45431-firefox-3.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
So far as Firefox, you may want to post that question here: Firefox
In addition to the above. For firefox, right click on the title of the browser, select Menu. From the Menu, click on Tools->Setup Sync.
All your bookmarks, add-ons, settings will be saved so the next time you install Firefox, it will then re-sync for you automatically.

Hope this helps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Do an image backup to the external hard drive using Macrium Reflect Free.

Once HP is done, install Macrium again then you can browse the backup image to restore anything that was on the drive before.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Thanks for the help. Much appreciated. I came across the Firefox Sync option just today. Perfect timing. Do you know if that saves all the cookies, passwords & favorites?
As far as logging on with my MS account, I haven't, but that sounds like a great option. I may have opted out of that somewhere along the line. How would I go about setting that up again. Is there a good write-up for that on the MS site?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion x360
    CPU
    Pentium N3520
    Memory
    4Gb Ram
    Browser
    Firefox

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
Thanks for the help. Much appreciated. I came across the Firefox Sync option just today. Perfect timing. Do you know if that saves all the cookies, passwords & favorites?
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
First I want to apologize for not thanking everyone prior to my falling off the face of the earth. With a move and also a new business start-up, in addition to the holidays, this task fell off the top of my to-do list. I've since thanked all who supplied input. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Now to get this computer fixed...

Okay so I've signed in and synced my computer in my Microsoft account...
I've moved all my files either off the computer completely or to the cloud (OneDrive)...

Now I think I'm ready to link up with HP tech support and let them have their way with my hard drive.

Once the factory reset is completed, what is my next step to restore my settings? I assume it will be like taking a new computer out of the box. But I've never had everything neatly saved on a Microsoft account, or on Onedrive. Are things pretty self explanatory? Will I just set up the "new" computer to log in using my Microsoft account, and then follow the prompts? Or is it a little more involved then that?

Thanks again in advance. You all are great! :thumb:

Bob
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion x360
    CPU
    Pentium N3520
    Memory
    4Gb Ram
    Browser
    Firefox
You're quite welcome. Glad to see you're back. Happy New Year. :)

Did it come with 8 or 8.1 preinstalled?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Happy New Year!

8.1 was preinstalled.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion x360
    CPU
    Pentium N3520
    Memory
    4Gb Ram
    Browser
    Firefox
OK. Good. Your Start screen layout (except folders, files, & browser shortcuts), IE Favorites, Settings, and Store apps (not desktop) should be installed automatically. You'll have to install desktop programs and backed up files. Make sure all updates are installed first and suggest to let it do some maintenance for awhile before doing anything. In other words, let it stabilize.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
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