Factory reset

[DARRIUSMACK]

Note from moderators: this message was originally posted in another topic, but it was moved to a new one to give more visibility for volunteers that help customers in the Community.  

Original topic URL: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-System-and-Recovery/Factory-reset/m-p/8129556 

I need help bad with my laptop

[WAWood]

@DARRIUSMACK 

This thread was already being worked in the previous thread -- and as far as I can tell, the customer never bothered to respond.

A Factory Reset, which everyone seems to think is a "miracle cure" for everything wrong with a PC is almost always a really BAD idea -- but folks charge into it regardless.  This issue is often due to a failing drive -- and that will produce EXACTLY the results in the original thread.

So, let's check that first, because if the drive 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 HDD (Hard Disk Drive): http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the HDD 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.

Please note that if your model has an SSD instead of an HDD, these diagnostics might not work properly.