Clean the surfaces...
Clean the surfaces...
Just avoid inquiring—things were fine. Really, they weren’t a problem at all... I’m just wanting to restart...
Consider using a bootable version of "KillDisk" from the provided link. Execute it on a USB or external drive to erase everything. Then reinstall Windows 8.1—either download a KMS version or obtain a copy via torrent, or contact Microsoft explaining your need for a fresh install due to HDD issues. They should provide a new installation code if you supply your previous one. This approach helps remove old data like viruses and leftover files, ensuring a clean start.
Remember, tools designed to wipe your entire storage should only work with hard drives or SSDs; otherwise, you risk harming the system. ;p
if you recall me just keep pressing f8 during startup, then choose advanced, then confirm reset instead of refresh—it might need someone to verify. I’ve given up on Windows 8/8.1 since Windows 7 works much better if you don’t have a touch screen. Another method is booting from the Windows setup disk and selecting install without formatting; it will copy all your files into a folder named windows.old. I know there are easier options, but this one fits my setup. I have my 1tb drive split across three partitions: one for Windows, another for backups, and a third for Linux.
Create a recovery disk so you can start in safe mode or refresh your PC. Since entering safe mode isn't possible anymore, boot from this disk. The process is called Refreshing Windows, though it may not always work. If it doesn't succeed, I'm unable to assist further.