Restore Factory Settings

[Woodbug]

I have a HP Compaq Mini CQ10-500EA which has gone mad so I need to clear and start again. HP tell me to restore factory settings by pressing F11 - problem is that this model doesn't have any f keys! I have tried going into restore factory settings on the computer, but it wont restore as it says there is 'no partition available'.

 

Please can anyone help and advise how to restore factory? Any help gratefully received.

[KenB]

Hi

 

You may find this helpful - click here

 

If you can boot up your machine you should be able to make a Recovery CD - click here

 

You only get one go at this so make sure that you have a big enough memory stick if that is what you intend to use.

Personally I would go for DVD or CD.

[Woodbug]

Thanks for that Ken. I don't have a CD/DVD facility in the machine but I am nipping out to get a 4gb 'stick' should be big enough I think. Will let you know the outcome thanks again.

[KenB]

You may need to set the Boot Order in the BIOS to boot from the USB drive first.

Got this of the HP site ...... may be useful :)

 

Where it says "press the F10 key" I would tap it about once per second after switching on.

 

 

• Turn on or restart the computer.
  
• While the display is blank, press the f10 key to enter the BIOS settings menu.
  
• NOTE: The BIOS settings menu is accessible by pressing the f2 or the f6 key on some computers.
  
• Select the Advanced tab using the right and left arrow keys.
  
• Use the up and down arrow keys to select Boot Order .
  
• Follow the on-screen instructions to change the boot order.
  

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, as you say, after looking at various images on line, there does not appear to be any "F" keys, however the very top row of smaller keys, although I cannot make out what is on them other than their main function, they may become "F" keys in combination with the FN key. None of the images of the keyboard are really clear enough to make out what their function is when combined with the FN key, but is worth looking into.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

after looking at various images on line, there does not appear to be any "F" keys,

Thanks Nev - Woodbug did point that out in the first post .......however .....

 

The explanation was in response to a search of the specific machine on HP site.

 

EDIT

manual here - click here

see p21 and p58

 

Woodbug -

Turn on or restart the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message isdisplayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press ESC. When the Startup Menu is displayed,

press f10.

 

Please note: ref p59

Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Load Setup Defaults, and then press enter.

This is resetting the BIOS to defaults - this is not what you want.