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Question

Factory reset issue and windows starting issue

Mar 8, 2016 2:23PM PST

I am trying to factory restore my computer with windows 7. I have an external disc reader and when `I boot from it and after it says windows files are loading it goes into the windows starting screen with the four circles flying around. This is where the issue is, all my peripherals stop working and it is unable to boot from cd since it is connected via usb. My computer was unbootable before and I tried a restore from a earlier date and this is when it started freezing up at windows starting screen. So I decided to do a factory restore.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
A factory reset varies with each model.
Mar 8, 2016 2:30PM PST

Since I find no make and model here I can't check your work.

As to peripherals, we know to unplug all but the keyboard and mouse. What else is plugged in?

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GA-z97x-UD3H gigabyte motherboard
Mar 8, 2016 2:42PM PST

My peripherals are a keyboard, mouse, two monitors and the disc reader connected via usb.

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That may not have a factory reset.
Mar 8, 2016 2:53PM PST

Factory resets are classically for PCs made by Dell, Asus and others. The factory reset system is custom by each company (until later Windows.)

Windows does indeed crash and burn when we have all our stuff plugged in and we do a new install. This is not news but can really upset folk that thought that after decades Microsoft would have sorted it out. Nope.

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What should I do?
Mar 8, 2016 3:09PM PST

What should I do with my peripherals as I am booting from the cd? I just need to reset everything, and I'm not sure how to go about it.

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So many questions from me.
Mar 8, 2016 3:34PM PST

There is no "reset" feature if I boot a Windows 7 DVD. I see some repair offers and of course installation of the OS. After that you have drivers to find and install just like you did when it was new.

Given the story so far, there is no reset.

But let's say you can't completely boot your W7 DVD. Again, we know this does fail for many reasons. I've seen it fail just because a printer was plugged it. Take the machine back to the stock condition without printers or anything extra.

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How do I do that?
Mar 8, 2016 4:00PM PST

Even with out booting to cd it freezes at the starting Windows screen and my keyboard and mouse shut off and it just sits there while the computer is still running.

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That is a different question.
Mar 8, 2016 4:28PM PST

The top question is not spelled out clearly but it appears you want to do a full install of Windows and then the drivers. As noted above this machine does not appear to have a factory restore option for the reasons given.

Now you are asking another question. That is something other than a wipe and install of Windows. Sadly if you check the web there are no exact steps to dealing with lockups like this. You try the usual such as unplugging parts as I noted to see if it's that and try Safe Mode.

If Safe Mode works, we have options to run MSCONFIG and uncheck all startup items and hope that's it.

But the top post asks a big question which is simplified down to "do what you did when you installed Windows the first time."

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Unable to get into safe mode
Mar 9, 2016 12:25AM PST

Sorry for being unclear. I just want to be able to use my computer again I need it asap for school applications. Whether it be fixing the problem or reinstalling Windows. But as of now I can't do either.

I am unable to get into safe mode as it is stuck on the Windows starting screen no matter where I boot from.

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Re: Safe mode
Mar 9, 2016 1:15AM PST

If you boot from the hard disk (existing Windows on the c:-drive) you have to press f8 to go into the boot menu before the Windows starting screen appears. If repeatedly pressing f8 at the right moment doesn't work, something is wrong with your keyboard. or motherboard.

If you boot from the install disk there is no safe mode, so that's OK. First boot from some Linux or GPARTED disk to delete all partitions on the hard drive. Then boot from the Windows 7 install disk and all should go fine. If not, it's a hardware issue and you should find a repair shop.

Kees

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I'm in safe mode
Mar 9, 2016 3:14AM PST

Thank you for the help getting back into safe mode. So now that I am here I'll try un-checking everything from msconfig. If that doesn't work should I try the restore from here too? I went to the option just to check and it said that it couldn't find a disc available with Windows on it when I have my disc reader plugged in. It also says a disc can be inserted later.

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Re: Windows disk
Mar 9, 2016 3:36AM PST

- What 'restore option' are you talking about? You can't reinstall Windows from within Windows.
- Unchecking everything from msconfig surely will 'work'. But it might not solve your original problem (the reason you want to reinstall Windows 7). But since you didn't tell about that, we can't discuss the option of repairing it without reinstalling Windows.

Kees

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Advanced recovery options
Mar 9, 2016 4:17AM PST

In safe mode I went to advanced recovery options and I see the option "Reinstall Windows (requires Windows installation disc)". Sorry for being unclear I just need my computer back up and running which ever way does it. Whether it be reinstalling Windows or not. I just thought reinstalling Windows would be the safest option so I can have a clean slate to start over with with everything properly installed.

When I uncheck everything from msconfig and restart it it gets past Windows starting screen but then the monitor shows no connection but my keyboard and mouse are still lit up.

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This will NOT return the machine to working conditon.
Mar 9, 2016 9:26AM PST

While it may install the Windows OS, Microsoft does not find or install all the drivers needed for almost all PCs today (fine exception may be Microsoft's own Surface Tablets.)

Since the Safe Mode and MSCONFIG failed, I suggest you wipe the drive and do what you did to get the machine working when you got it.

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Answer
sounds like you never chose the boot device
Mar 8, 2016 5:10PM PST

and still trying to boot from the hard drive.

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It is booting from the CD reader.
Mar 9, 2016 12:22AM PST

I used to get 2 options to boot from then when I plug in the cd reader I get an extra two eufi version and non-eufi version. But no matter where I boot from it gets stuck and Windows starting and my peripherals turn off except monitor still displays the Windows starting but it is frozen.

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sounds like squirrely UEFI BIOS program to me
Mar 9, 2016 10:52AM PST

Some of them still have problems. Check for a BIOS update.

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Answer
How do I do that?
Mar 19, 2016 12:23AM PDT

Even with out booting to cd it freezes at the starting Windows screen and my keyboard and mouse shut off and it just sits there while the computer is still running.

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Maybe there's a problem with the boot DVD
Mar 19, 2016 10:40AM PDT