Solved Need help Factory resetting

[Innotime2]

I started this conversation in a tutorial thread but maybe I can get extra help in it's own.

I have a Asus k55a. Using Windows 8. I am planning on selling it online and just trying to reset it back to factory. I just need to wipe it clean in put a fresh install of win8. I wish it was that simple.

In the manual it says to hit f9. I do that and it takes me to the recovery partition, no problems getting to it. I also see the recovery partitions in the disk management when I'm logged into Windows.

Now here is are the problems...

When I hit refresh pc to an earlier point or whatever it starts then after a second I get the following error message.
- "The drive where Windows is installed on is locked. Unlock the drive and try again."

When I try the reset to factory I get the following error message.
- "Unable to reset your pc. a required drive partition is missing"

I would like to be clear I am not worried about losing anything, my goal is to wipe everything and put a clean install on so i can sell it.

I also have tried doing the sfc scan in command and it said that it did find errors but was NOT able to find them. Not sure if that has anything to do with it.

 

[Innotime2]

Nothing?

 

[David Bailey]

Have you tried---



that should clean it out.

 

[Innotime2]

But then how will I get a new install of win8 put on? I know how to format the drive but I need a way to re install 8.

 

[David Bailey]

But then how will I get a new install of win8 put on? I know how to format the drive but I need a way to re install 8.

If you format you would need a full retail version.

You might be able to use factory settings disks bought from the manufacturer.

 

[Saltgrass]

There are quite a few threads concerning Asus computers and Resetting that system. Since your Reset does not work if done from within Windows (not F9), you more than likely have the same situation as the others.

Look through some of those threads and see if anything helpful shows up. But you are getting those messages because you are trying to overwrite an 8.1 install with an 8.0 image and your 8.1 update was not configured correctly to do that.

 

[Innotime2]

Thanks, never even noticed that it was upgraded to 8.1

Maybe that helps find a solution. I'll give it a look over when I get more time after work.

 

[Innotime2]

Salt- thank you! After figuring out it was from upgrading I came across another thread on here someone recommended the Asus Backtracker program. It did the trick, erased and back to factory. Thanks again.

 

[Ztruker]

I did some reading but don't understand how ASUS Back Tracker works.

What exactly did you do please?

 

[Innotime2]

Easy as can be. Just install the program from their website. You need a usb flash drive, I've read at least 16gb but mine only needed 10gb. But it's as easy as clicking a few buttons. Just like making a repair or reset disc/usb. Then just boot to the usb and go from there, pretty much the same setup as the f9 had. I believe it had the restore option or reset. I did factory reset. According to the program it also re installed the factory image on my hdd since the other was corrupted. Very easy.

 

[Ztruker]

Very nice, thanks.