A factory reset, also known as master reset, is a software restore of an electronic device to its original system state by erasing all of the information stored on the device in an attempt to restore the device's software to its original manufacturer settings. Doing so will effectively erase all of the data, settings, and applications that were previously on the device. This is often done to fix a software issue that a device is facing, but it could also be done to restore the device to its original settings. Such electronic devices include handheld computers such as PDAs and mobile phones. Since a factory reset entails deleting all information stored in the device, it is essentially the same concept as reformatting a hard drive. Pre-Installed applications and data on the card's storage card (such as a MicroSD card) will not be erased. A factory reset should be performed with caution, as it effectively destroys all data stored in the unit. Factory resets can often fix many chronic performance issues such as freezing and will not remove the device's operating system.
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Purpose
Common reasons to perform a factory reset include:
- to fix a malfunctioning electronic device
- to remove a file or virus that is difficult to remove
- to clear the configuration and settings of the electronic device to the default settings
- to clear the memory space on the electronic device
- to remove personal information from the device before selling, giving away, returning or disposing of the device
Note: a factory reset may only hide data from the operating system so it appears it no longer exists. This is not the same effect as data deletion, and may not therefore be wholly suitable in situations where the device changes ownership.
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Device examples
Factory resets can be achieved in a variety of ways depending on the electronic device. For some devices, this could be done by going into the device's service menu. Other devices may require a complete re-installation of the software. The following section lists a few common electronic devices and how they can be factory reset.
Computer
Computer factory resets will restore the computer to the computer's original operating system and delete all of the user data stored on the computer.
Microsoft Windows
On Windows 7:
- Back up any personal data that is necessary.
- Start up or reboot PC.
- Depending on the brand of your system such as Acer (Alt+F10), Asus (F9), Dell/Alienware (F8), HP (F11), Lenovo (F11), MSI (F3), Samsung (F4), Sony (F10), Toshiba (0), press the key multiple times repeatedly that will be allowed to access the boot options or BIOS.
- If for some reason the keys that were mention in step 3 did not allow the PC to access into boot options, please pay close attention for a message on the screen when starting up the system. Often time it will say press F(number) for "Boot Options" and "BIOS".
- While in the BIOS go to the "Boot" tab and select CD-ROM Drive to act as the first boot device of the PC. Save changes of the settings. And proceed to shut off the PC.
- Power the PC on and insert the Windows 7 disc into CD/DVD drive.
- Now reboot and startup computer from disc. It should ask "Would you like to boot from disc by pressing any key." This will start fresh install from the disc and the setup will begin. If it does not ask you to boot from the disc, then a step must have been done wrong.
- You will be prompt to ask to choose your Window Setup options. When all preferences have been chosen you can proceed to click "Next".
- Click onto the "Install Now" button.
- Accept the License Terms and click "Next". Select "Custom Installation". Now it will ask which hard drive you will like to install Windows on. This is a personal preference. If you would like to have clean fresh install, then you can delete all data of a select hard drive and go to "Drive options" and click "Format". If the computer does not have any partitions, then create one for Windows to be install onto. Select the hard drive then click onto "Drive" options (advanced). Select New from the Drive options and select the size and proceed to click "OK". You can always upgrade if you are on previous versions of operating system such as Windows XP or Windows Vista if your PC is able to support it.
- After selecting which hard drive and partition for Windows to be selected on, click "Next". And Windows will begin to install.
- After Windows have been installed, continue to update any necessary driver or system updates that is needed.
Note: Take in consideration that Windows 7 is more advanced to factory reset compared to Windows 8 or Windows 10. If you have no experience or are not capable of factory resetting your PC to fresh install Windows 7, ask for assist from a professional for technical support.
On Windows 8:
- Go to the settings menu (point to upper-right corner), and then select Change PC settings.
- Select Update and Recovery
- Choose the "Remove everything and re-install Windows" option to get started.
On Windows 10:
- Go to the start menu (point settings), and then select Update & Security.
- Select Recovery then Reset This PC
- Choose the "Remove everything and re-install Windows" option to get started.
Apple Inc.
On OS X Mountain Lion:
- Restart the computer.
- Hold down the Command Key and the R key.
- Select the Re-install OS option to get started.
iOS
For iOS devices, there is a restore option in iTunes when the device is connected to the computer. In iOS7 there are options under Settings->General->Reset that allows the user to reset the device's settings and data. On iOS devices, go to Settings->General->Erase All Content and Settings to factory reset your iOS mobile device completely. Back up any data that is necessary onto iTunes.
Android
On Android devices there is a factory data reset option in Settings->Back up and reset that will appear to erase all of the device's data and reset all of its settings. This method is typically used when the device has an issue that cannot be fixed using other methods, or when the owner wants to destroy their personal data before selling the device. After performing a study, Avast! reported that the data is recoverable using "fairly generic" and "publicly available" forensics software. The "Factory data reset" option has no effect on the Knox Flag. As such, it does not reset the device to its original factory settings and is not a way to return the device to a state compatible with the manufacturer's warranty. Data on the SIM card and the MicroSD card are not erased. If the device have has been modded to a custom recovery such as TWRP that is able to custom install custom roms. Be sure to back up any data as well as the stock rom that is necessary. Tap on "Back-Up" and put in personal preference settings and swipe to "Back-Up". Proceed back to the main menu and tap on "Wipe" and "Slide to Factory Settings". There are more advanced options that can be made, but more experience are required or there will be consequences such as "bricking" the mobile device that is unable to function anymore and require more work to fix.
Other
Many other devices can be restored to factory settings, like televisions, GPS units or tablets.
Many electronic devices have a menu with tools and settings called the service menu. The service menu commonly includes a tool that performs a factory reset. This tool is most common in devices with displays, such as television sets and computer monitors. These menus are usually accessed through a sequence of button presses.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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