Restore to factory settings

Vincenzo

New Member
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I've got a Gateway laptop that is not able to boot Windows, so I'd like to restore it to factory defaults. I've looked at the tutorials here http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4692-system-restore-how-do-windows-8-a.html and here http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html. It seems like the only options that I can find on these pages for restoring a non bootable computer is to boot from Windows 8 installation media. Is that correct?

If so, will the generic Windows 8 installation media allow me to access and restore the factory image?

I've tried the old F8 while booting method to boot into Advanced Recovery Options but, as I've read before, that no longer works.
I also tried Shift-F8 that I seem to remember reading might work, but that did not work either.

Or is there some other way to access the factory image on a non booting computer that I am missing?

Thanks
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
If your laptop came pre-installed with Win 8 then go into "PC Settings" then go to "General" and mouse down to "Remove everything and reinstall Windows." This will then return your system back to the beginning when you removed it from it packaging. . . .Good luck.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
1. It seems like the only options that I can find on these pages for restoring a non bootable computer is to boot from Windows 8 installation media. Is that correct?

2. If so, will the generic Windows 8 installation media allow me to access and restore the factory image?

3.
Or is there some other way to access the factory image on a non booting computer that I am missing?

Thanks
1. You could try a system repair disc (see my sig).

2. Sorry, no.

3.
Not that I know of.

Is your machine in warranty, contact Gateway. As I recall, I have seen where some have installed ubuntu in dire circumstances and used file recovery software to rescue data.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
information   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html




You can use the ACER version of
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


Windows 8 - Restore Windows With a USB Recovery Drive - YouTube

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:

https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Thanks for the replies.

This is a friend's computer, and he never made any repair or restoration media. And there is no data that they want me to recover.

Will a system repair disk as znod suggests, or USB drive as Theog suggests, that I create on another Win 8 computer (of the same bittedness) allow me to access the factory recovery procedure on this Gateway?

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
If so, will the generic Windows 8 installation media allow me to access and restore the factory image?
Yes, if x64, you can use RESET from the
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2302-reset-windows-8-a.html
or
I've tried the old F8 while booting method to boot into Advanced Recovery Options but, as I've read before, that no longer works.

The Repair CD would need to be made on Windows 8 x64 installed in UEFI mode PC
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Will a system repair disk as znod suggests that I create on another Win 8 computer (of the same bittedness) allow me to access the factory recovery procedure on this Gateway?

Thanks
You are very welcome. I don't think you can access it at least in the sense of using it to recover. Not 100% sure though. I am sure theog will let you know if he thinks it would work. I was thinking of using it to try to do an automatic repair or a refresh. Not sure either of these approaches would even work all things considered.

Automatic repair (may need to run multiple times--say 3).

Refresh Your PC in Win8—Attempts to solve system problems by replacing system files without affecting user data files. Such files still should be backed up. Installed programs will have to be reinstalled except those from the Windows Store. A list of uninstalled programs is provided on desktop. Your personalization settings will be maintained. System settings will be set to defaults. A Windows.old folder will be created at C:. You can delete it once you have everything you want from it--Windows.old Folder - Delete in Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Vincenzo my computer came with win 8 preinstalled, however, I reinstall the OS using a copy of windows 8 purchased from Staples so that I could get rid of all the crapware. Being that the new system had the serial key imbedded in the BIOS there was no need for the serial key contained within the store bought win 8. You should be able to do the same if your friend's computer if it is BIOS/UEFI. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
You paid for 2 licenses, then Lee.

Any particular reason you did that - just trying to help MS out?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
When Windows 8 senses a problem, it will normally go into some type of recovery scenario all by itself, but you did not see that happen?

What were you seeing when the system refused to boot?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
You paid for 2 licenses, then Lee.

Any particular reason you did that - just trying to help MS out?
No. I bought the first back in October the second came with a new computer (see specs) thus the reason for two licenses. I found out the store bought license worked with the new computer only because I wanted a clean install, and not all the crap HP installs. A win win situation for me. . .:dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
When Windows 8 senses a problem, it will normally go into some type of recovery scenario all by itself, but you did not see that happen?

What were you seeing when the system refused to boot?


After the Gateway screen, the monitor goes blank.

It seems odd that there is no key combination that allows access to the recovery procedure. What does a manufacturer's tech support do when someone in warranty calls with a non booting computer? They must know most people do not create recovery disks, and surely they want to avoid the need to have the computer mailed in to them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
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