Solved Need help resetting a friends laptop

[BlaqkJak]

So my friend did SOMETHING to his Gateway NE71B laptop and the only thing I can think to do anymore to fix it is do a system reset or whatever it is called for Windows 8. I have no experience with Windows 8 and he didn't get an OS disc with it. He got it from Wal-Mart >.>

So when I try to reset it tells me "Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recover media will provide these files". Problem is he never made one of these when he first got the laptop. I made one as instructed but it won't read or something. Do I have to do something in particular for it to read the disc to get this going?

Refresh and reset both give me this error and I have been unable to do either. Been trying to figure this out for a couple days and I'm at wits end. If it's something minor I am forgetting I'm going to slap myself. I have no idea what he downloaded, knowing him he got spammed by popups and fell for the "Your system needs this!" BS and downloaded everything he came across. Anyhoo, any help would be appreciated, I can't seem to do this without a helping hand. I'm not horrible with computers but I may need some "Explain like I'm five" instructions for certain stuff.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[David Bailey]

You said reset does not work.
The reset in the picture ? :



I have a Gateway from WalMart.

It has a recovery drive.
Open Defragmenter & see if one is listed :

 

[BlaqkJak]

Correct, I tried the "Remove everything and reinstall windows" option again but it gave me the "Some files are missing. Your Windows installation or recover media will provide these files" response again.

The outlined option in the defragment part is there on my friends laptop.

 

[David Bailey]

Something is messed up.
There are others here with more knowhow than I.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[BlaqkJak]

That's all right, thanks for trying.

 

[BlaqkJak]

OMG I want to slap him, he pulled out a USB drive and said "I backed up everything when I first got it I forgot about it". It is letting me reset so I think this should be good. >.<

I'll update after and declare this solved if it works, which I think it will. Grrr, I feel like a dumbass.

 

[theog]

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:

https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
or
Acer | Recovery Media
Check in Accessories
or check the main web site.
Acer Worldwide - Select your local country or region

 

[BlaqkJak]

Thanks, I was trying to avoid that. Luckily he backed up everything on the flash drive and everything reset fine and everything is running smooth now. I just wish he had remembered sooner. >.<

Thanks again for the help everyone, this is solved.

 

[slurp812]

I believe you can grab a copy from MS. As long as you have a valid license. Download on another PC, and burn a dvd...

 

[theog]

I believe you can grab a copy from MS. As long as you have a valid license. Download on another PC, and burn a dvd...

Only if you buy the Windows 8 pro upgrade.