preloaded Windows 8 stuck in repair loop - no boot discs

My desktop came preloaded with Windows 8 so no install discs. Have only had it a week and didn't yet make a recovery disc. Everything was working wonderfully as I got used to the new Windows 8 from my old pc running Xp. Three days ago I did a restart for Windows to update to 8.1 and all was good. Then two days ago I did another restart and when it was updating we had a power outage. Since then I have been stuck in the repair, diagnosing loop. I can boot to BIOS with the delete key, but have not been able to boot to safe mode with the F8 or shift+F8 and can't find anything that can tell me what Gateway might have used instead of the F8 key. I have no clue how to force a factory reset if I can't access windows. My son gave me this computer and we restored it to factory settings before I started using it. I am beyond frustrated at the moment since I am used to fixing all my own computer problems. I diligently stick with it until I find a solution, but this has me stumped. I've only been working with that computer for a bit over a week and any suggestions are welcome at this point as I am back to my old XP one until I can figure out a fix. I am not averse to a factory reset since I can easily replace anything I put on it already. Thanks for any suggestions.

See if this helps:
http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/39343-windows-8-automatic-repair-loop-issue.html

Rich

thanks - I'll read through it

If you need to get a Windows 8.1 ISO to reinstall with, see here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

The updated Option One show you how to use a Microsoft provided tool (mediacreationtool.exe) to download any version of 8.1 for either 32 or 64 bit, regardless of what computer you are running from.

Don't know if this will work from XP or not, so give it a try. If not, have a friend do it for you on a Vista/7/8/8.1 system.

Edit: Nope, will not run from XP (or Vista), just tried it. Has to be Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.

The way to restore Gateways is to hold down the ALT Key and repeatedly hitting f10 then it should bring you to a boot sequence screen then choose the HDD and then hold down ALT and repeatedly hit f10 again that should prompt the restore feature for gateway.

Thanks Rich - my daughter has a laptop running 8.1 so I can try that.

And Nucci - the ALt F 10 doesn't boot me mode. I can use delete to get into BIOS and I did to change the boot order.