Should I factory reset?

[Nochie]

Hello!

Recently, my computer started to run very slowly. I could not load anything for hours. After trying chkdsks and repair methods, I eventually got stuck on a black screen with a moveable cursor after loading windows. No safe mode works, and I have tried many system repair methods. I am now considering using the factory reset option

If I do use the facrotry reset option, what should I do before hand. It would be nice to keep my files. Or should I not do it at all?

 

[patrickIT]

We can also try an in-place upgrade to repair windows see if it fixes your problem. You will keep all your programs, personal data, user accounts . (It is still a good idea to backup your data just to be safe) .


BACKUP;
You can boot Linux live and access the files then copy it over to an external hard drive .

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Could be a hard drive problem if none of the safe modes work either. You should investigate that possibility first before doing anything else.

Using any working PC or laptop:

1) Download the CD image of Hitachi Drive Fitness Test: http://www.hgst.com/support/downloads/legacy-downloads#DFT

2) Then install ImgBurn and use it to create a bootable CD from the CD image:
http://filehippo.com/download_imgburn

3) Boot your ailing PC from that CD.

4) When a short menu appears, highlight "ATA only", then press <Enter>. DFT will open for you to test the hard drive.

 

[Nochie]

So how would I go about an in place upgrade to repair windows?