How to reset PC to factory settings (Pavilion 17 L0Q89UA#ABA)

[bobriff1]

My Wi-Fi icon no longer shows up on my taskbar and i don't see a driver for it in Device Manager. How can I reset the PC to original factory settings? I'm hoping that will restore my missing driver.  Do I need to install HP Restore app to restore from the "D: " partition on my HD? If so, where can I download it? I've downloaded a couple of them, but they won't install properly. Windows boots up fine and ethernet port is working, just no wi-fi. Thanks.

[WAWood]

@bobriff1 

I would personally advise strongly against doing a factory reset.  That will set your PC back MONTHS and you will then be saddled with Windows Updates for hours, just trying to bring the OS up to date -- and those will lock up your PC, making it unusable.

Since this is a WiFi problem, I am moving this thread to the Networking section where the folks there can see it and then respond to your issue with suggestions about getting the WiFi working again.

[bobriff1]

Thanks, I wasn't sure which topic to put it in. 

[bobriff1]

If i do end up wanting to reset to factory settings, can you tell me how I need to go about it? I know it'll be a pain and there is a chance I'll end up worse off, but I might take the chance anyway. It's an old computer that I was thinking of giving to my son, but it's not much good the way it is. Thanks again. 

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@bobriff1 

OK -- if you insist on doing this -- press the Esc key repeatedly while rebooting.  When the HP Startup Menu appears, choose the option to do the reset -- usually F11.  If that does not work, you would have to use external media to do the reset.

[bobriff1]

I got to thinking maybe a $20 USB wi-fi adapter might work. I'll take a shot at that first.  It does seem like a shame to brick a computer that's 99% in working order.  Thanks again for the advice! Marking this one "solved".