Windows 10: OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again?

Discus and support OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again? in Windows 10 Support to solve the problem; Yesterday I took delivery of a Lenovo Yoga 710. It got off to an immediate bad start when it got stuck as I setting up my user account and I had to... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Support' started by ricecrispies, Feb 9, 2017.

  1. OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again?


    Yesterday I took delivery of a Lenovo Yoga 710. It got off to an immediate bad start when it got stuck as I setting up my user account and I had to force a reboot. Then I found that file sharing was broken due to permission problems even though I spent hours and hours posting on and trawling through forums and double and triple checking my settings. And then the Start menu and search tool stopped working on all accounts on the machine and the Start button troubleshooter has been of no help. What's more, when I tried to roll back to a restore point, this failed with an "unspecified error".

    Should I give up and simple erase the disk and start again with a fresh install of Windows, or should I persevere with trying to turn this mess into a workable operating system? I know that if I wipe the disk I will lose the software that came bundled, the most interesting of which was a limited subscription to Office 365, but are there other things such as drivers which will cause me more serious headaches?

    :)
     
    ricecrispies, Feb 9, 2017
    #1

  2. Installing Windows 10 over Ubuntu

    You could wipe the disk like so:

    • Use the command RecoveryDrive.exe on some other Windows 10 machine to create a bootable Windows 10 repair flash disk. Do NOT copy the System files.
    • Use this disk to boot your machine into a Command Prompt.
    • Type these commands to wipe the disk:

      diskpart

      select disk 0

      clean

      exit
    You should now be able to install Windows.
     
    Frederik Long, Feb 9, 2017
    #2
  3. Windows 10 stuck on a reboot loop.

    Sorry but I have been through the exact same thing you either have to track down an OEM install disk or get one from MS not sure if they charge or not had to totally wipe my machine and start over
     
    GUYHUFFMANN, Feb 9, 2017
    #3
  4. dalchina New Member

    OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again?

    Hi, your simplest option would be to use the manufacturer's restore partition and restore your PC to exactly how it was when you bought it.

    The first thing you then do is to install Macrium Reflect (free) and start routinely creating and updating system and disk images, create its boot medium. You will need external storage for images at least equal to and preferably double the amount of data you are imaging.

    That way you can restore an image after something breaks (or you break sthg!).

    Once you have created your first base image (larger and slower than the rest) start removing trialware you don't want. Update your image when complete.

    Create a separate partition.. that's where it's a really good idea to put your personal data- separate from the OS.

    Install your favourite programs- periodically update your disk image. And so on.

    Creating disk images lets you restore Windows and all your disks and partitions to a previous working state, quickly and probably without technical help.

    You can recover from:
    - a failed disk drive (restore to a new one)
    - ransomware (which encrypts your disk)
    - user error
    - unrecoverable problems from failed updates to problem programs
    - unbootable PC (hardware faults aside)

    Images also act as a full backup- you can extract files too.

    You can even use images to help you move more easily and quickly to a new PC.
    Can be used with Laplink software to transfer your build automatically to another PC

    Imaging can even help you sleep at night knowing you have a second chance.

    Many here recommend Macrium Reflect (free) as a good robust solution and more reliable than some others. It’s
    - more feature rich
    - more flexible
    - more reliable
    than Windows Backup and Restore system images.

    It's well supported with videos, help and a responsive forum.

    There are other such programs, free/commercial, some with simpler interfaces, but Macrium R is one of the most robust and reliable.

    How long does it take?
    SSD+ USB3 - maybe 15 mins for the first system image, less thereafter
    HDD + USB2 - maybe 40-50 mins
    That’s with little personal data, few programs installed.
    - of course, depends how much you have on C:
    (You can and should image all your partitions and disks)

    Once you've created your first image, keep it updated with e.g. differential imaging- which images just changes from the first image, more quickly, and creates a smaller image file.

    You need a backup medium - say- twice as large as the total amount of data you are imaging to keep a reasonable number of differential images. This will vary dependent on the number of images you keep, so is only a rough practical guide.

    Some comment that system restore isn't always reliable; if it works and solves the problem, great. But sometimes restores won't work or fail. And of course a restore point only covers a limited number of aspects of the system. That’s where disk imaging comes in.
     
    dalchina, Feb 9, 2017
    #4
  5. Thanks for your suggestions. The trouble is that even though the computer arrived with a "Lenovo" partition, it only contains drivers and one application. There is no Windows there, and the installation of Windows on the C drive was already broken before I even would have had a chance to prepare a backup. If I can't repair it then I have no option but to do a clean install of vanilla Windows 10.
     
    ricecrispies, Feb 9, 2017
    #5
  6. NavyLCDR New Member
    Is this a brand new computer purchased at retail? If so, I would take it back.

    If you bought it used, I would always do a clean install anyway to get rid of whatever errors the previous owner introduced.
     
    NavyLCDR, Feb 9, 2017
    #6
  7. dalchina New Member
    I am then guessing this is a second hand machine.

    In that case, run a disk check before you waste too much time
    Use Crystal Diskinfo (free/portable...) to check the disk. You can also run Macrorit Diskscanner (free) to check the surface if you like.

    (if unbootable, boot using Kyhi's boot DVD /drive available from the top of the Software and Apps section here)

    If it's used, wipe and clean install. As it's running Win 10, activation should be automatic.
     
    dalchina, Feb 9, 2017
    #7
  8. mrgeek Win User

    OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again?

    "The trouble is that even though the computer arrived with a "Lenovo" partition, it only contains drivers and one application. There is no Windows there"

    Windows may be hidden. How big is the partition ? If over 10 gb, it's there with mfr progs. Go to Recovery panel and reinstall from there.
    If this is second hand machine and/or you can't use Lenovo recovery, then clean install and start fresh. Any mfr drivers and progs should be on their support site to add later.
     
    mrgeek, Feb 9, 2017
    #8
  9. I bought the computer new. There is quite a lot of unexplained space in the Lenovo partition so I'll have another go at looking at how to reinstall the OS. I think I may have tried already and it failed.

    If that doesn't work, is the consensus here that I should send it back to the retailer? By the time I've shipped it back, been refunded what I paid and ordered a replacement, that could be close to three weeks, which is a long time when there are projects I want to be getting on with. Is there really much advantage to having Lenovo's version of the OS as opposed to Microsoft's?
     
    ricecrispies, Feb 9, 2017
    #9
  10. I just tried to reset the PC, but I got the error "There was a problem resetting your PC".
     
    ricecrispies, Feb 9, 2017
    #10
  11. dalchina New Member
    Here's one reference to a Lenovo Yoga and recovery:
    Solved: Yoga 2 Pro Full System Recovery - Lenovo Community

    For precise instructions regarding your particular PC, unless there's a hardware fault, see the manufacturer's site and get support there or from their forum. It's a new PC so you're entitled to product specific support,

    Else return it whence bought.

    Using the manufacturer's recovery partition means you get the OS and drivers for your particular PC - and all the trialware and garbage.

    A clean install of Win 10 means appropriate drivers are downloaded (hopefully - and maybe newer ones) and no garbage.

    As time goes on, a clean install of Win 10 could be a later build than the recovery partition.

    For future reference: the very first thing you do so you can dig yourself out of many holes bar hardware failure other than than the disk itself is to
    a. Get yourself a copy of Macrium Reflect (free) and create a disk image or images of your working configuration.
    b. Enable system restore.

    Creating disk images lets you restore Windows and all your disks and partitions to a previous working state, quickly and probably without technical help.

    You can recover from:
    - a failed disk drive (restore to a new one)
    - ransomware (which encrypts your disk)
    - user error
    - unrecoverable problems from failed updates to problem programs
    - unbootable PC (hardware faults aside)

    Images also act as a full backup- you can extract files too.

    You can even use images to help you move more easily and quickly to a new PC.
    Can be used with Laplink software to transfer your build automatically to another PC

    Imaging can even help you sleep at night knowing you have a second chance.

    Many here recommend Macrium Reflect (free) as a good robust solution and more reliable than some others. It’s
    - more feature rich
    - more flexible
    - more reliable
    than Windows Backup and Restore system images.

    It's well supported with videos, help and a responsive forum.

    There are other such programs, free/commercial, some with simpler interfaces, but Macrium R is one of the most robust and reliable.

    How long does it take?
    SSD+ USB3 - maybe 15 mins for the first system image, less thereafter
    HDD + USB2 - maybe 40-50 mins
    That’s with little personal data, few programs installed.
    - of course, depends how much you have on C:
    (You can and should image all your partitions and disks)

    Once you've created your first image, keep it updated with e.g. differential imaging- which images just changes from the first image, more quickly, and creates a smaller image file.

    You need a backup medium - say- twice as large as the total amount of data you are imaging to keep a reasonable number of differential images. This will vary dependent on the number of images you keep, so is only a rough practical guide.

    Some comment that system restore isn't always reliable; if it works and solves the problem, great. But sometimes restores won't work or fail. And of course a restore point only covers a limited number of aspects of the system. That’s where disk imaging comes in.
     
    dalchina, Feb 9, 2017
    #11
  12. mrgeek Win User
    "I just tried to reset the PC, but I got the error "There was a problem resetting your PC"."

    I see this is a laptop. Try a quick hard reset. Press & hold down power button until completely shut off. Disconnect everything- battery, cables, power cord, usb connects, etc. Press & hold power button for 5 sec about 3 times. Connect power cable and power On. Should either Restart or attempt Repair. I agree you should send back if doesn't work. This is case that it is worth few extra dollars to buy from place with physical store nearby like Walmart or Best Buy. Good Luck
     
    mrgeek, Feb 9, 2017
    #12
  13. NavyLCDR New Member

    OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again?

    What I do when I buy a new off-the-shelf computer is boot it from a Macrium Reflect Free rescue flash drive, create an image backup of the hard drive, then wipe it and do a clean install of vanilla Windows 10. The only problem you have is wiping out the factory software on the computer without a means to restore it may cause reluctance on the part of the manufacturer to cover a problem under warranty (even though it shouldn't matter).
     
    NavyLCDR, Feb 9, 2017
    #13
  14. I finally discovered on the Lenovo forums that I needed to run something called Onekey Recovery to do a factory reset (which is why the Windows recovery tools didn't work). I ran this and now everything seems to be working as it should. Thanks everyone very much for helping me work through the possibilities.
     
    ricecrispies, Apr 4, 2018
    #14
Thema:

OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again?

Loading...
  1. OEM Windows is broken. Should I repair or wipe disk and start again? - Similar Threads - OEM broken Should

  2. My Windows Start Bar is wiped out AGAIN

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    My Windows Start Bar is wiped out AGAIN: All my Windows Start bar items have disappeared again. Again fourth time in under a year I am left with only the Microsoft default "Productivity" set.It really is bugging me. See below where this happened May 2022, November 2022, February 2023 and April 2023.The only thing...
  3. My Windows Start Bar is wiped out AGAIN

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    My Windows Start Bar is wiped out AGAIN: All my Windows Start bar items have disappeared again. Again fourth time in under a year I am left with only the Microsoft default "Productivity" set.It really is bugging me. See below where this happened May 2022, November 2022, February 2023 and April 2023.The only thing...
  4. My Windows Start Bar is wiped out AGAIN

    in Windows 10 Customization
    My Windows Start Bar is wiped out AGAIN: All my Windows Start bar items have disappeared again. Again fourth time in under a year I am left with only the Microsoft default "Productivity" set.It really is bugging me. See below where this happened May 2022, November 2022, February 2023 and April 2023.The only thing...
  5. Upgrading OEM Win 10 to Win 11 or getting back to the OEM after disk wiped

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Upgrading OEM Win 10 to Win 11 or getting back to the OEM after disk wiped: I bought the computer below with OEM Win10. MS insisted with installing Win11 every other week until I installed it. Now I cant activate Win11 and this device saying "Go to the store to buy genuine windows. Error code 0x80004005". I have the windows sticker on the NUC but no...
  6. Upgrading OEM Win 10 to Win 11 or getting back to the OEM after disk wiped

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Upgrading OEM Win 10 to Win 11 or getting back to the OEM after disk wiped: I bought the computer below with OEM Win10. MS insisted with installing Win11 every other week until I installed it. Now I cant activate Win11 and this device saying "Go to the store to buy genuine windows. Error code 0x80004005". I have the windows sticker on the NUC but no...
  7. Start up repair with no disk space

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Start up repair with no disk space: When trying to troubleshoot startup repair, I encounter a bunch of tasks that cannot be completed for no reason, however in the command prompt it says my ssd has no space, which it doesn't. But how do i fix that in order to reset my PC?...
  8. Total disk wipe resulted in Windows reinstalling again

    in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security
    Total disk wipe resulted in Windows reinstalling again: Hiya. Basically, my Windows became a victim to a huge amount of viruses. I did a disk wipe and somehow when the wipe finished the Windows 10 reinstalled themselves again. My question here is why and how did that happen and is it actually safe to use the clean slate windows...
  9. Automatic Disk Repair? How long should i wait?

    in Windows 10 Support
    Automatic Disk Repair? How long should i wait?: I need some help! My Asus labtop was working perfectly fine yesterday and upon booting it up today it went to a black screen. I had left it like that for 40 minutes with no luck. I had then turned off my labtop by holding down the power button until it turned off. Upon...
  10. Should I try repair install again?

    in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade
    Should I try repair install again?: A little while back I carried out a repair install with the help of advice in this forum (in another thread). It cured a number of long-standing problems and restored some features I had been without for months. But it left or maybe even created a few, especially regarding...