The computer starts and asks whether I wish to use the restore function. The microsoft logo appears just for a moment and then the monitor stays dark. Wonder if it might be a monitor problem

Hi,

Before attempting to factory restore your laptop make sure you back up any data you need to the storage drive and remove all USB (or other) connections.

1. Step 1 Turn your computer on. As soon as you see the Dell logo appear on the screen, press and hold "CTRL" and "F11." This starts the Dell PC Restore by Symantec application.
   
2. Step 2 Click "Restore" on the first screen that appears.
   
3. Step 3 Click "Confirm" when asked to confirm whether you are sure you want to restore your computer to factory settings. The process takes about 6 to 10 minutes to restore your Dell.
   
4. Step 4 Click "Finish" after the Dell has been completely restored.
   
5. Step 5 Click "Yes" and then "Next" when prompted and the computer will restart. After the restart, click "OK."
   

Regards.

Hi,

A number of possibilities:
1. the files needed to run Windows are either corrupt or missing;
2. driver error particularly with the video card;
3. virus infection;
4. hardware fault.

A temporary remedy is try to boot to Safe Mode by pressing F8 even before the Windows logo appears. On powerup, keep pressing F8 after the BIOS/CMOS display (POST).

Thereafter pls post back if Windows will boot in Safe Mode and we can work out other ways to restore Windows to normal operation.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.

Thank you for using FixYa.

To Recover your system from within Windows
1. Click on Start, then All Programs, then Acer Empowering Technology.
2. Click on Acer eRecovery Management.
3. If prompted to create a password, create the password and hint
Do not lose this password.
If asked for a password, enter the previously set password.
4. When the Acer eRecovery Management loads click the button labeled Restore.
5. Click on Restore system to factory default.
6. The unit will restart and start the restore.
It should state "Please wait a moment..." with the Acer logo in the upper left hand corner.
7. At the eRecovery Management menu it will ask you how to restore.
Click on the restore option you would like to use.

To recover your system from bootup
1. Locate the Alt key, to the left of the space bar, and F10, on the top row of keys.
2. Power the system on.
3. When the system is powered on, tap the Alt and F10 keys together at the same time when the Acer splash screen appears.
It should state "Please wait a moment..." with the Acer logo in the upper left hand corner.
4. At the eRecovery Management menu it will ask you how to restore.
5. Click on the restore option you would like to use.

I would suggest you to try doing a BIOS default settings

Immediately after you start the computer start hitting F2( or Delete key in some systems), It will take you to BIOS. Just load the default settings for BIOS save settings and exit.

This should resolve your issue

Yep, actually, that was what I was going to suggest.

To trouble shoot this issue you will need a computer with internet and the latest version of itunes.

First you will want to put the ipod into disc mode
Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Set it to Hold, then turn it off again.) Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons for at least 6 seconds until the Apple logo appears. When the Apple logo appears, release the Menu and Select buttons and immediately press and hold the Select and the Play/Pause buttons until the Disk Mode screen appears.


After you get the ipod into disc mode you will need to restore it. to do this follow these instructions....
connect the ipod to the computer After a few moments, your iPod will appear in the Source panel in iTunes. Select your iPod in the Source panel and you will see information about your iPod appear in the Summary tab of the main iTunes windows. Click the Restore button. You will be prompted with one or more restore options that may prompt iTunes to automatically download the latest iPod Software. The 4 possible restore options are: Restore Option 1: Restore - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod. Restore Option 2: Use Same Version - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod even though a newer version is available. Restore Option 3: Use Newest Version - Restores with the latest iPod Software available. Restore Option 4: Restore and Update - Restores with the latest iPod Software available. If you are using a Mac, a message will appear prompting you to enter an administrator’s name and password. A progress bar will appear on the computer screen indicating that the first stage of the restore process has started. When this stage is completed, iTunes will present one of two messages on screen with instructions specific to the iPod model you are restoring. Restore Instruction 1: Disconnect iPod and connect it to iPod Power Adapter (typically applies to older iPod models). Restore Instruction 2: Leave iPod connected to computer to complete restore (typically applies newer iPod models). During the stage 2 of the restore process, the iPod will show an Apple logo as well as a progress bar at the bottom of the display. It is critical that the iPod remains connected to the computer or iPod Power adapter during this stage. Note: The progress bar may be difficult to see since the backlight on the iPod display may be off. After stage 2 of the restore process is complete and the iPod is connected to the computer, the iTunes Setup Assistant window will appear asking you to name your iPod and choose your syncing preferences similar to when you connected your iPod for the first time.

If this still fails you either will want to send it in to your choice of repairs centers; or just buy a new one.

If you have not found a resolution to your issue as of yet, I would recommend attempting to force the iPod into disc mode and restore using iTunes. Below I have posted a step by step on both steps. If this does not resolve your issue please do let me know. :)

Putting ipod into disc mode http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363 Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Set it to Hold, then turn it off again.) Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons for at least 6 seconds until the Apple logo appears. When the Apple logo appears, release the Menu and Select buttons and immediately press and hold the Select and the Play/Pause buttons until the Disk Mode screen appears.


Open iTunes, and then connect your iPod to your computer using the USB or FireWire cable that came with your iPod. The screen on the iPod should change and say "Do not disconnect" If you are having difficulty putting the iPod model into disk mode, set it on a flat surface. Make sure that the finger pressing the Select button is not touching the Click Wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Play/Pause button toward the outside of the Click Wheel and not near the center.


--------------------------------------------------
How to restore iPod (ARTICLE NUMBER HT1339)

After a few moments, your iPod will appear in the Source panel in iTunes.
Select your iPod in the Source panel and you will see information about your iPod appear in the Summary tab of the main iTunes windows.

Click the Restore button. You will be prompted with one or more restore options that may prompt iTunes to automatically download the latest iPod Software.

The 4 possible restore options are: Restore Option

1: Restore - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod. Restore Option

2: Use Same Version - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod even though a newer version is available. Restore Option

3: Use Newest Version - Restores with the latest iPod Software available. Restore Option

4: Restore and Update - Restores with the latest iPod Software available.

If you are using a Mac, a message will appear prompting you to enter an administrator’s name and password.

A progress bar will appear on the computer screen indicating that the first stage of the restore process has started.

When this stage is completed, iTunes will present one of two messages on screen with instructions specific to the iPod model you are restoring.
Restore Instruction 1: Disconnect iPod and connect it to iPod Power Adapter (typically applies to older iPod models).


Restore Instruction 2: Leave iPod connected to computer to complete restore (typically applies newer iPod models).

During the stage 2 of the restore process, the iPod will show an Apple logo as well as a progress bar at the bottom of the display. It is critical that the iPod remains connected to the computer or iPod Power adapter during this stage.

Note: The progress bar may be difficult to see since the backlight on the iPod display may be off.

After stage 2 of the restore process is complete and the iPod is connected to the computer, the iTunes Setup Assistant window will appear asking you to name your iPod and choose your syncing preferences similar to when you connected your iPod for the first time.

To reset your iPod:

• 1. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
• 2. Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.

if the ipod is asking for a code

You can remove the code by restoring the pod with i tunes heres how


Restore

• Note: Because Restore erases all of the songs and files on iPod, make sure to back up any files you've saved on the iPod disk. All of your songs, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, and games can be loaded back to your iPod provided that you have them stored in your iTunes Library.

How to restore your iPod:
For Windows:

• 1. Make sure you've reinstalled the latest version of iTunes.
• 2. Open iTunes, and then connect your iPod to your computer.
• 3. After a few moments, it will appear in the source list in iTunes.
• 4. Select your iPod in the source list and you will see information about it appear in the Summary tab of the main iTunes windows.
• 5. Click the Restore button. You will be prompted with one or more restore options that may prompt iTunes to automatically download of the latest iPod Software. The 4 possible restore options are:
  • Restore Option 1: Restore - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod.
  • Restore Option 2: Use Same Version - Restores with same iPod Software version already on iPod even though a newer version is available.
  • Restore Option 3: Use Newest Version - Restores with the latest iPod Software on your computer.
  • Restore Option 4: Restore and Update - Restores with the latest iPod Software on your computer.
• 6. A progress bar will appear on the computer screen indicating that the first stage of the restore process has started. When this stage is completed, iTunes will instruct you to leave iPod connected to your computer to complete restore.
• 7. During the stage 2 of the restore process, the iPod will show an Apple logo as well as a progress bar at the bottom of the display. It is critical that the iPod remains connected to the computer or iPod Power adapter during this stage. Note: The progress bar may be difficult to see since the backlight on the iPod display may be off.
• 8. After stage 2 of the restore process is complete and the iPod is connected to the computer, the iTunes Setup Assistant window will appear asking you to name your iPod and choose your syncing preferences similar to when you connected your iPod for the first time.

You are correct, it could be a power surge that has caused it.

Try this..
Unplug the monitor from the wall.
Remove all the video connections at the monitor end.
Wait 10 minutes then plug the monitor back into the wall (do not connect the video leads)

Turn it on and see if it goes past the ACER logo now. If so, replace the video cables and try the computer.
If not, then one of these will apply and a tech will be required..

1. The internal bios has been corrupted.
2. The power supply inside the monitor may have issues preventing the video board from starting correctly. This could be as simple as a few failing capacitors.

Number 2 is the most likely cause with an Acer monitor though. Any local tech will be able to correct it fairly cheaply, but phone around for quotes..they can vary a lot.

I will assume the monitor is staying on during the boot process all the way until Windows loads.
If that is the case, then...

• Start the computer
• wait until the initial bios/logo screens for your motherboard go away.
• Press F8 to get the Windows recovery boot menu
• If you see the Windows Logo you would normally see then press rest and try again.
• In the recovery screen, select SAFE MODE
• Boot into Windows and uninstall your video card.
• Reboot the computer the normal way through the start menu.
• When your PC starts back up it should then reinstall the video card, and set itself automatically back to 60khz as default.

Let me know how you go =)