Windows 10 Reinstallation

xXDauntlessXx · 03 May 2016

About a month ago the "Bad Image" error started popping up whenever I tried to open clients such as that for Skype and League of Legends. Uninstalling and reinstalling were not fixing the problem, so I decided to do a refresh to see if that would help. Just my luck, the power went out partway through and I haven't been able to fully boot the PC since then, probably because something is corrupted. I can get to the f11 options during startup (when it is starting up, if I don't touch the keyboard the screen is just black, no logo or icon, eternally). I tried refreshing and resetting my PC to which it just said "there was a problem resetting your PC" after only a few minutes. Then I tried to use my laptop to download Windows 10 installation media into a flash drive as per the Internet's instructions, but if I select boot from hard drive on the f11 menu, the HP logo and loading icon show up for a minute, then the screen goes back to eternally black. I'm not sure if there's much else I can do to fix it at this point, as I feel like I've tried everything.

I only just got this PC for Christmas a few months ago, and my dad will be pissed if I have to take it to him because its not working after that short of a time period, especially because the PC, monitor, and graphics card are all very expensive. The PC is an HP Envy. Are there any other things I can do to factory reset my PC? I didn't have any important files on it so preserving my old data is not a concern. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

Ztruker · 03 May 2016

Did you create restore discs for the computer, or did you create an image backup?

If not and you have a flash drive with Windows 10 install on it then boot the flash drive, not the hard drive then do a Clean Install.

See here: Windows 10 - Clean Install

That will wipe out everything then install a new copy of Windows 10 so it will be sort of like when you first got the computer but without any of the bloatware manufacturers place on their computers.

xXDauntlessXx · 03 May 2016

Ztruker said:

Did you create restore discs for the computer, or did you create an image backup?

If not and you have a flash drive with Windows 10 install on it then boot the flash drive, not the hard drive then do a Clean Install.

See here: Windows 10 - Clean Install

That will wipe out everything then install a new copy of Windows 10 so it will be sort of like when you first got the computer but without any of the bloatware manufacturers place on their computers.

How do I boot the flash drive? I hadn't thought of creating any restore discs or image backups... smart of me, I know.

essenbe · 03 May 2016

It should list the keys on the bottom of the HP logo on boot up, but HP is most of the time the Escape Key. Start tapping it as soon as you see the HP logo and select the flash drive. You only have a couple of seconds to tap the key.

xXDauntlessXx · 04 May 2016

essenbe said:

It should list the keys on the bottom of the HP logo on boot up, but HP is most of the time the Escape Key. Start tapping it as soon as you see the HP logo and select the flash drive. You only have a couple of seconds to tap the key.

Escape wasn't doing anything, so I checked a virtual guide for my PC (http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04843029) and it told me Esc/f9 on page 20, but when I do that, the HP logo just appears on the screen for a few seconds, then the screen is blank for a few seconds, then back to the logo, etc. I'm seriously losing hope on this PC now...

davidhk · 04 May 2016

xXDauntlessXx said:

I can get to the f11 options during startup (when it is starting up, if I don't touch the keyboard the screen is just black, no logo or icon, eternally).
but if I select boot from hard drive on the f11 menu, the HP logo and loading icon show up for a minute, then the screen goes back to eternally black.

Question :
Why did you select " boot from hard drive" when you were using an USB flash drive ?

Shouldn't you select USB option to boot from ?

adding................ if F11 does not offer option to boot from an USB drive (my old Dell lapyop does not have boot from USB), then burn the iso file to a bootable DVD > then select boot from hard drive.

Ztruker · 04 May 2016

That's what I see in the manual as well:

Code:

Changing the computer boot order
If your computer does not restart in HP Recovery Manager, you can change the computer boot order, which is
the order of devices listed in BIOS where the computer looks for startup information. You can change the
selection to an optical drive or a USB flash drive.
To change the boot order:
IMPORTANT: For a tablet with a detachable keyboard, connect the keyboard to the keyboard dock before
beginning these steps.
1. Insert the HP Recovery media.
2. Access BIOS:
For computers or tablets with keyboards attached:
▲ Turn on or restart the computer or tablet, quickly press esc, and then press f9 for boot options.
For tablets without keyboards:
▲ Turn on or restart the tablet, and then quickly hold down the volume down button; then select f9.
- or -
Turn on or restart the tablet, and then quickly hold down the Windows button; then select f9.
3. Select the optical drive or USB flash drive from which you want to boot.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
20

What is the full model number oif the HP Envy computer?

xXDauntlessXx · 04 May 2016

That was my mistake, there wasn't a flash drive option. I don't have a disc drive so I cannot burn it onto a disc. The HP Envy is 750-114. I'm not sure if anyone's currently envying the brick sitting below my desk as of right now though.

Slartybart · 05 May 2016

xXDauntlessXx said:

That was my mistake, there wasn't a flash drive option. I don't have a disc drive so I cannot burn it onto a disc. The HP Envy is 750-114. I'm not sure if anyone's currently envying the brick sitting below my desk as of right now though.

Disconnect all external components, except the monitor - use a wired mouse and KB if you have them

Create Windows 8 media
See: Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
-> If you need to install or reinstall Windows 8.1, you can use the tool on this page to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD.

-- OR --

Create Windows 10 media
See: Windows 10
-> If you need to install or reinstall Windows 10 using a USB or DVD, you can use the media creation tool below to create your own installation media with either a USB flash drive or a DVD. The tool provides file formats optimized for download speed and can be used to create ISO files.

Try the USB in different ports - it might not be seen if it's in a USB 3.0 port
The BLUE ports are 3.0 - use the BLACK ports

Top I/O ports
USB 3.0 (2)
USB 2.0 (2)
Headphone (1)
Microphone (1)

Back I/O ports

1: USB 2.0 (2)
2: LAN (Ethernet)
3: HDMI (2)
4: USB 3.0 (2)
5: Audio: Line in
6: Audio: Line out
7: Audio: Microphone

You'll only be given the USB boot option if the machine sees the drive.

F9 is the boot option menu - tap that repeatedly during startup (you said esc didn't work)

I'll have to bow out for now - essenbe and other members can guide you the rest of the way.

If all else fails - the machine is still under warranty !!!!!

Slartybart · 05 May 2016

Research points to a virus
Google results: Bad image error

Rather than you sorting through all the results, I suggest running Windows Defender Offline

You'll still need to figure out how to boot from the USB you create on an uninfected machine (Library, Friend, or Dad)
Don't sweat getting infected - even techies get infected.
Do become Internet savvy: Safe browsing tips

Sorry I didn't first search for the error you provided. My focus is off kilter.