To add to my previous comment that the Zero(0) key method will also give you the small green loading bar and/or the normal Windows is Loading animation. This took me a few tries to get right, I almost gave up until I held they key down for like 20 seconds into what looked like a frozen red Toshiba POST and then looked like it was going to load Windows normally. I love this laptop. My S5976 has been beat up for a few years. What it lacks in CPU power it makes up for in solid manufacturing.
I didn't see a partition option like I see on other computers (there was something that said "system"), so I didn't think this software option existed. The Toshiba site stinks on ice, it wants to sell me a DVD for recovery, but won't tell how much it costs. Other parts of the site didn't give information, so I had to do searches. That's how I found you and saved however much money (possibly $30 plus shipping). Thanks!
+Bob Sorensen (Cowboy Bob) Oh Sorry, And you thought Right, Get a lot of questions in a day so have to get through them as timely as i can, Glad your all set and working. thanks for feedback.
If the F8 menu doesn't give you those options, it's because there is a problem with the Toshiba software for Windows, such as an uninstall or in my case, a W7 update that messed with the bootloader. A faster way, as long as you have the factory software partition, is to turn the laptop off completely. Hold the ZERO key down, keeping it held after you press the power button. Hold it 10+s after you see the TOSHIBA post screen. Let go, and it will give you the screen shown in this video at 2:43.
I'm only half way through the video and thank you thank you THANK YOU!! I've gotten further with this video than i have lookin through google for months, no lie. I was just looking for factory restore for a Toshiba laptop and the instructions i kept getting were the same and weren't working. Finally thought to put the model of the computer in the search and i found you!!! Really appreciate this, was able to follow step by step which is amazing for someone who's computer illiterate like myself XD
Crap I started this and just saw that someone said I need a copy of windows... It didn't come with a copy. It was preloaded when I bought it from the store. Once it finishes what do I do?
How many times does that configuring screen go out and reload ?? Everything went good, just dont know how many times it restarts on configuring window,, thanks for the help.....Lisa
Your very welcome please subscribe or like to keep them coming,Samsung Laptop PC Complete Reload Restore to factory default Settings also i will have another video coming showing your senario.
If.. (and I do mean IF) 1) You have your files backed up and stored elsewhere...2) Have a full set of recovery disks... 3) Have the time to spend the time afterwards reloading the OS (then about an hour's worth of configuration and after that, updating) and then re-installing all of your apps...Then go with the full (takes several hours, depending upon HD size) bare-bones reformat of the HD via recovery disk command...You return to a completely clean slate, and can be assured of absolutely no corrupted repair, recovery, start-up, or boot files, nor any hidden viruses lurking around whatsoever...
Perhaps your laptop didn't come with a system recovery partition on the hard drive, but with a recovery CD? Or the recovery partition was there but got somehow deleted. Maybe that's why there isn't any repair option...
This is my model, but the "Repair Your Computer" option does not come up. With this model, there was no recovery disc, so, any other suggestions on how to get to recovery mode? When it boots, it is a gray screen, with the mouse cursor only. Thank you.
biggonyou : Computer Whisperer Thanks. I tried for hours. The "Recovery Mode" will flash at the bottom, but it won't go into the menu. That partition could be corrupted, or the HD could be bad. When I try the other Fn keys I get a continuous scrolling test that repeatedly fails, I forget now what it says, but something along the lines of ICD-PXE Media Fail, Check Cable. I guess it's possible the HD has come unmounted, but I also see many commenters saying the Toshiba HD's are just generally weak. Thanks for the response.
My Toshiba go as far as the Toshiba recovery wizard but when I click on it it takes me to a set recovery media instead of the warning that u got n it says please 1st recovery media and press next to continue
Try logging in to windows if you can and do a system restore(after you back up your files of course) also see if there is an application installed from factory to restore within windows. if you don't or can't get into windows try repair my computer option or get a windows 7 dvd to reload via disc.
Dam dude this sucks your video is really helpful but mine i got for 3 bucks but it runs on a downloaded windows ultimate... So this doesnt have the restart option
lifeishardboy121 Yep your laptop has been wiped and reloaded with ultimate version more than likely, i would try system restore to fix any recent problems, and i would also get a copy of ultimate and the drivers for your laptop and reload and you will be good as new.
Anyway try this second approach that should take you directly to the Toshiba Recovery Wizard: Press and hold the 0 (zero) key, and while doing so click the power button to turn on the laptop. Keep holding the zero key down all the time, until the laptop starts beeping annoyingly =) Now release the key. (it will continue to beep for a couple of seconds) Then you get a big red warning screen and you hit Yes. After that it should be easy. Provided there is an allocated recovery partition :/
