System restore on my all in one is not working.

[NSCracqui]

The system restore is not working. It's just looping. HD is good. I also used the usb that came from HP. I did the test. Is there something I missed? Help. Thanks!

[WAWood]

@NSCracqui 

Windows System Restore does NOT do what nearly everyone think it does -- work like a "time machine" to reset your PC to a state it was in before.

When you do a Windows Update, a copy of all the Windows system files being replaced or removed is save away in a special location.  This is known generally as a Restore Point.

So, when you do a restore, all you are doing is taking the saved Windows system files and overwriting the current files with the saved ones.

Since a Restore Point contains no settings or personal data, running a restore will not get any of those back.

[NSCracqui]

Thanks for your input. However, I was actually doing a factory reset and I am on a loop. Installation was completed but even after rebooting as it was suggested I go back to the same error. I bought the System Recovery USB from HP and it's hard to get an actual person to speak to from HP. So this is like a new install. Anything else you'd you like to suggest?

[WAWood]

@NSCracqui 

OK understand -- but when the factory restore fails, especially when that is done from external media, that usually indicates a hardware problem with the internal drive.

So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the hard drive: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the drive you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.
If the drive checks out OK, then report that and I can provide you options for reinstalling Windows on your PC.

[NSCracqui]

Hi again! Thank you for your reply and  patience. I did the HD test yesterday and tested ok. What should I do next?

[NSCracqui]

Hi. Just wondering if you have any more suggestion on how to fix this issue. I tried restoring and it didn't work again. You mentioned last time you're going to send me instructions on how to fix it. 

Kindly. Thanks.

[WAWood]

@NSCracqui 

NO, I said I would provide instructions on how to do a factory reset.  NO guarantee that will fix it.

The ways to do an external factory reset are the following:
- Factory reset using external HP image you make
- Factory reset using external HP image you buy

Each of these is discussed in some detail below ...

---------- Factory reset using external HP image you make ----------
HP provides a Cloud Recovery tool that you can use, together with a 32GB USB stick, to create your on HP reset media.

Here is the link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205

This works the same as the factory reset described above.

---------- Factory reset using external HP image you buy ----------
For those PCs not supported by the Cloud Recovery, in some cases, HP offers Recover Media for sale. This can not be downloaded; instead, it must be ordered from HP.

HP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities.

In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click &quot;Update&quot;.<br><br>If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the &quot;+&quot; symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Support.

HP contact info: https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp?openCLC=true

If HP no longer carries the media you need, another site you should check for HP Recovery Media is: http://www.computersurgeons.com/

These work the same as the factory reset described above.

[NSCracqui]

Thanks so much for this!