PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer...

Dreampainter · 10-04-2008, 08:26 AM

Am currently writing this using my laptop computer. I need help in formatting my desktop pc. It runs Windows Vista Home Basic, and as you know the *restore to factory* recovery info is contained on the hard drive(which I cannot access) Is there any other way I can format it?

Here is the problem with the other computer....
I push the *power* button to boot up computer but it takes 20 minutes to an hour to boot to the desktop...in process I see no *logo* screen, so cannot tap F8 to gain access to the advanced boot menu screen. Then suddenly it boots to the desktop. I can acccess anything ON the desktop but cannot access IE, nor will Add/Remove programs work. I click to uninstall a program, and it says *its working* but it basically freezes and doesnt uninstall anything, AND doesn't really do anything. I had to use ctrl/alt/del to shut it down. Restart does not work, same problem with booting.

Bad me, I had loaned the computer to a friend for a few months while I was preparing to move, and moving as well. I just got the computer back last week.

YESTERDAY my friend tells me the pc has been *misbehaving* for about 2 months and never before had any problems while in my home. I know, never loan computer to *friend*...but lesson learned.

I really need to know how to format. Am wondering if I should create a boot disk for it from this computer and then try that.....but will wait for your advice.

PS: I have been waiting for the computer to reboot now for about 1.5 hours, its a black screen...ugh....

dai · 10-04-2008, 08:38 AM

what are you running
video card
cpu
m/board
ram
power supply
brand
wattage

check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them

because of it being moved something could have worked loose check the connections
in the bios disable the the gui[logo]
try a cmos reset
turn the computer off
remove the power lead from the back
take the side off
remove the cmos battery
move the cmos jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3 and the back to pins 1 and 2
reinsert the battery
put the side on
replug in the power lead
boot the computer

there can be 2 solder points you touch with a screwdriver
2 pins you touch with a screwdriver or use a jumper
a cmos clear switch or button

to restore to factory you usually put in the recovery disk and hit one of the F keys as it is booting up
then the recovery cd and the recovery partition work in conjunction with one another to impliment the restore
there will be a diagram and instructions in your manual

then see if you can get safe mode[low resolution mode]

Dreampainter · 10-04-2008, 08:50 AM

E machines W3623
Windows Vista Home Basic

No Recovery disk came with the machine as its contained on the hard drive(like I mentioned in my original post)
I have moved the computer many times and very carefully, it was not jostled or dropped or even bumped during the move. It did start up normally the first couple of times I booted it but now is misbehaving again.....
I cant get into safe mode either because you need to get to the boot menu before you can get into safe mode, and there is no way to get to boot menu since I cant see the logo screen(also mentioned in original post) so cant know when to tap F8 to GET there....VERY frustrating!

dai · 10-04-2008, 09:07 AM

as far as i now emachines use a restore disk
you either have to make one when you get the computer
or get one from them as a added extra
and there psu's are suspect can you borrow another psu to try in it of larger wattage

Dreampainter · 10-04-2008, 09:23 AM

they did not send me one with the computer nor were there any instructions to make a restore CD....they told me the recovery disk is included on the hard drive. no restore disk was available for Vista....
What do you mean PSU ? and I have done factory recovery before on this machine, without any disk...but had to do so by going to boot menu then choosing *Repair my Computer* like i said in my original post. Thinking entire post was not read :(

Dreampainter · 10-04-2008, 09:25 AM

PS: Also no way to get into Bios if computer wont boot, is there?

dai · 10-04-2008, 09:39 AM

did you try the cmos reset

Dreampainter · 10-04-2008, 09:56 AM

have no idea what cmos reset is...I don't understand a lot of things. I did finally access the master boot menu...and GUESS WHAT was there... *RECOVER TO FACTORY SETTINGS*...imagine that....thanks for your help!

ebackhus · 10-04-2008, 10:13 AM

When you open the PC can you see a small silver battery? Pop that out and leave it out for about 30 minutes. Also, make sure that the PC is NOT plugged into the mains. After 30 minutes has elapsed replace the battery and plug the PC back into the mains. Try booting it.

Dreampainter · 10-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Thank you, I will try that.....and let you know how it goes.

10-04-2008, 08:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dreampainter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... Am currently writing this using my laptop computer. I need help in formatting my desktop pc. It runs Windows Vista Home Basic, and as you know the restore to factory recovery info is contained on the hard drive(which I cannot access) Is there any other way I can format it? Here is the problem with the other computer.... I push the power button to boot up computer but it takes 20 minutes to an hour to boot to the desktop...in process I see no logo screen, so cannot tap F8 to gain access to the advanced boot menu screen. Then suddenly it boots to the desktop. I can acccess anything ON the desktop but cannot access IE, nor will Add/Remove programs work. I click to uninstall a program, and it says its working but it basically freezes and doesnt uninstall anything, AND doesn't really do anything. I had to use ctrl/alt/del to shut it down. Restart does not work, same problem with booting. Bad me, I had loaned the computer to a friend for a few months while I was preparing to move, and moving as well. I just got the computer back last week. YESTERDAY my friend tells me the pc has been misbehaving for about 2 months and never before had any problems while in my home. I know, never loan computer to friend...but lesson learned. I really need to know how to format. Am wondering if I should create a boot disk for it from this computer and then try that.....but will wait for your advice. PS: I have been waiting for the computer to reboot now for about 1.5 hours, its a black screen...ugh....

10-04-2008, 08:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,670 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... what are you running video card cpu m/board ram power supply brand wattage check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them because of it being moved something could have worked loose check the connections in the bios disable the the gui[logo] try a cmos reset turn the computer off remove the power lead from the back take the side off remove the cmos battery move the cmos jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3 and the back to pins 1 and 2 reinsert the battery put the side on replug in the power lead boot the computer there can be 2 solder points you touch with a screwdriver 2 pins you touch with a screwdriver or use a jumper a cmos clear switch or button to restore to factory you usually put in the recovery disk and hit one of the F keys as it is booting up then the recovery cd and the recovery partition work in conjunction with one another to impliment the restore there will be a diagram and instructions in your manual then see if you can get safe mode[low resolution mode] __________________

10-04-2008, 08:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dreampainter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... E machines W3623 Windows Vista Home Basic No Recovery disk came with the machine as its contained on the hard drive(like I mentioned in my original post) I have moved the computer many times and very carefully, it was not jostled or dropped or even bumped during the move. It did start up normally the first couple of times I booted it but now is misbehaving again..... I cant get into safe mode either because you need to get to the boot menu before you can get into safe mode, and there is no way to get to boot menu since I cant see the logo screen(also mentioned in original post) so cant know when to tap F8 to GET there....VERY frustrating!

10-04-2008, 09:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,670 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... as far as i now emachines use a restore disk you either have to make one when you get the computer or get one from them as a added extra and there psu's are suspect can you borrow another psu to try in it of larger wattage __________________ Last edited by dai; 10-04-2008 at 09:08 AM.

10-04-2008, 09:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dreampainter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... they did not send me one with the computer nor were there any instructions to make a restore CD....they told me the recovery disk is included on the hard drive. no restore disk was available for Vista.... What do you mean PSU ? and I have done factory recovery before on this machine, without any disk...but had to do so by going to boot menu then choosing Repair my Computer like i said in my original post. Thinking entire post was not read :(

10-04-2008, 09:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dreampainter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... PS: Also no way to get into Bios if computer wont boot, is there?

10-04-2008, 09:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,670 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... did you try the cmos reset __________________

10-04-2008, 09:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dreampainter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... have no idea what cmos reset is...I don't understand a lot of things. I did finally access the master boot menu...and GUESS WHAT was there... RECOVER TO FACTORY SETTINGS...imagine that....thanks for your help!

10-04-2008, 10:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,286 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... When you open the PC can you see a small silver battery? Pop that out and leave it out for about 30 minutes. Also, make sure that the PC is NOT plugged into the mains. After 30 minutes has elapsed replace the battery and plug the PC back into the mains. Try booting it. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-04-2008, 01:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dreampainter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: PLEASE! I need help in reformatting my other computer... Thank you, I will try that.....and let you know how it goes.