cant do a full pc restore on windows vista. help!

[antonioyoung]

so i am trying to do a full pc restore that way i can start over. i can get to thr hidden watcha ma call it just fine but when i try to to the restore it says i dont have a valid back up location . i run windows vista on a toboshiba laptop. help!

[Computer_Commando]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOfM1dcfzko

[antonioyoung]

 i use a sattalite a205 toshiba laptop.
shouldve been more specific, sorry

[patio]

Alt+F10 gets you to the Hidden Recovery partition...
I believe you are accessing safemode option for repair.

NOTE: Using the hhidden Recovery partition will wipe all your apps and data and take the machine back to Day 1 status...

[antonioyoung]

alt+f10 brought me to something called partition 2 wich doesent do anything really.

[Computer_Commando]

http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-58528-reset-toshiba-laptop-to-factory-settings

[antonioyoung]

once again i use a satalite-> A205<- laptop

[Computer_Commando]

Once again, read the entire link provided.

[antonioyoung]

i am not seeing anything about an a205

[jason2074]

http://static.tigerdirect.com/pdf/Toshiba_Satellite_A200_A205_Laptop_Series-UserManual.pdf
Go to Pages 60-61 - Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the recovery partition. Choose Recovery of Factory Default Software or
Page 63 - Recovering C: Partition of the Hard drive without changing the partition size. In case you have another partition such as D other than the recovery partition.

[Computer_Commando]

i am not seeing anything about an a205

It says:  "...Toshiba laptops from mid 2007 onwards dont have a recovery disc supplied with a purchase of a laptop. Instead, Toshiba has added a hidden partion on the hard drive which contains the same files on a recovery cd / dvd.

To reinstall your laptop to the factory settings / "out of the box" settings, please follow these steps. It worked for me, and should work for you.

ALL DATA WILL BE ERASED ON YOUR HARD DRIVE IF YOU PROCEED. YOU WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER ADAPTER PLUGGED IN. DO NOT SWITCH OFF OR RESTART YOUR COMPUTER DURING THIS PROCESS.


1) Hold down the power button for 10 (ten) seconds to switch off your machine.

Please note: Holding down the power button on the machine forces it to switch off. Any unsaved data will be lost.

2) Press and hold the 0 (zero) key and at the same time, tap the power button once to switch on your notebook.

3) When the machine Starts beeping; release the 0 key.

4) When prompted by the warning screen; select Yes to continue with the system recovery.

5) Select Recovery of Factory Default Software; click Next.

6) Select Recover to out-of-box state. Click Next again.

7) Click Next to Start recovery..."

[antonioyoung]

all that did was lead me to the screen that allows you to start on safe mode.

[Computer_Commando]

Your Recovery Partition is damaged or missing.  Where did you get this laptop?

[jason2074]

all that did was lead me to the screen that allows you to start on safe mode.

Keep restarting until you get to the recovery mode. Safemode is F8, so make sure you are using the right key. It should be 0 then release.
Can you still boot normally to your Vista system? I understand you want to jump on a cleaned working  PC.

[antonioyoung]

yeah i can start vista just fine and i can get to the recovery mode but wehn i try to doa a full pc recovery it says that it cant fing a valid backup location.