sprkn_ranger Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 I just got a gateway desktop PC running windows vista from my sister in law and wanted to wipe it clean to "out of box" condition cause it has viruses on it. Im not too super computer savy so I don't know if there are additional steps I can take beyond what I have already tried. I have googled so much and still haven't had any success. I've tried hitting F8 during startup to get the advanced boot options which supposedly should bring up an option to "repair my PC" but that option isn't there. I've tried hitting F10 during startup and it brings up a screen to choose which device to boot from but it doesn't show the recovery partion. Ive also tried hitting F11 during startup and that does nothing. The only other thing I have read is to order the recovery disks from gateway but if Im going to have to do that I will just upgrade to windows 7 at that point. Is there anything else I can try to get this thing fixed? any help is greatly appreciated! Quote Check out my build log! 4 Havocs in a blowthrough http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/187506-sprkn-rangers-blowthrough-build/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotdog Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 what model number is it Quote (NEW) 2004 F-150 Build Log -->http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/192208-hotdogs-f-150-build-log/ 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Build Log --> http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/114380-hotdogs-2003-mountaineer-build-log-20-removed/page__gopid__1602379#entry1602379 2008 Equinox Build Log --> http://www.stevemead...g/#entry1475764 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotdog Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 To boot into the recovery partition you're supposed to hold down the ALT key and repeatedly tap f10 and here is another option if you cant get into recovery mode. downloaded the ultimate boot disk, (which is free) http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html and boot the computer. go to HDD, Boot setup, and run the first program there. This will let you change the active partition. There are 3 partitions on the gateway HDD. The second is the 'vista' partition, the third is the recovery partition, but the first is the boot-up partition that reads the third. Set the first partition to active, F2 to save, remove the CD and reboot. You should now be able to do a factory re-install on your gateway computer without the recovery CD or DVD. Hope this helps. Quote (NEW) 2004 F-150 Build Log -->http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/192208-hotdogs-f-150-build-log/ 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Build Log --> http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/114380-hotdogs-2003-mountaineer-build-log-20-removed/page__gopid__1602379#entry1602379 2008 Equinox Build Log --> http://www.stevemead...g/#entry1475764 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprkn_ranger Posted January 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Its a Gateway GM 5626 desktop. Thanks for the link I'll give that a try. Is there any chance of me messing something up by using that program? Oh and do you think its worth it to just go buy Windows7 and do a fresh install? and if I do go that route, would 64 bit be compatible with my machine? its running 32 bit vista right now. Thanks again! Quote Check out my build log! 4 Havocs in a blowthrough http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/187506-sprkn-rangers-blowthrough-build/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xplayazplayzonx Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 try pressing F11??? sometimes if you press F8 before it boots into windows there is a recovery option there also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballen194 Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 i know in win 7 you go control panel/system and security/backup and restore/recover system settings or your computer/advanced recovery methods/use a system image/ click skip to create a disk and itll ask to reboot and upon reboot it will bring up the recovery partition automatically. used this last week matter of fact on my Gateway Quote 98 Isuzu Rodeo Pioneer Deh-6300ub SUBS*Upcoming* SSA Xcon 18 4th order AMP Banda 3500 Mids/Highs Pioneer EQ Clarion EQS746 ETC. Two 1/0 run's KnuKoncepts 1/0 big 3 Shuriken BT-100 under the hood Shuriken BT-120 in the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballen194 Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Its a Gateway GM 5626 desktop. Thanks for the link I'll give that a try. Is there any chance of me messing something up by using that program? Oh and do you think its worth it to just go buy Windows7 and do a fresh install? and if I do go that route, would 64 bit be compatible with my machine? its running 32 bit vista right now. Thanks again! from your specs, gateway preinstalled 3 gigs of ram on it and is expandable to 4 gig. as for BUYING a fresh copy of win 7 id say naw, but maybe if you got it from say someone that sails a ship and flys a big skull and crossbones flag then id say hell yes. even with 3 gig ram win 7 x64 runs sweet. of course id recomend adding another gig. i ran win 7 x32 on 256 MB ram and it was fine. no errors. no blue screens. it'll work. Quote 98 Isuzu Rodeo Pioneer Deh-6300ub SUBS*Upcoming* SSA Xcon 18 4th order AMP Banda 3500 Mids/Highs Pioneer EQ Clarion EQS746 ETC. Two 1/0 run's KnuKoncepts 1/0 big 3 Shuriken BT-100 under the hood Shuriken BT-120 in the back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprkn_ranger Posted February 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Well I ended just removing all the viruses and useless shit that she had installed on the comp and it's been running without a hitch for the last few days so I think I'm going to leave it the way it is. Thanks for all the help everyone. Quote Check out my build log! 4 Havocs in a blowthrough http://www.stevemeadedesigns.com/board/topic/187506-sprkn-rangers-blowthrough-build/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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