How to factory reset a Aspire S7-391?

Telephonedialer

All this machine does is cycle on the Acer screen. Holding the alt/f10 does nothing. It refreshes every few seconds, so there is no way to start up the computer.

I want to reset it to factory (no data is on it). It came with Windows 8, and I do not have the Windows 10 license number. I do not want/need the original account, I want to make it fresh and clean Windows installation.

How do I get this computer to be usable again?

Tom2019

Hi @Telephonedialer
you need download windows 10 iso and then try to reset your pc
1) download a windows 10 iso using Microsof tool:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209
select the proper windows 10 version (the same installed on your laptop) and choose to save it as iso file when prompted
2) download Rufus:
http://rufus.akeo.ie/?locale=en_US
plug your USB flash drive, run Rufus then:
select ISO image from the dropdown menu near "Create a bootable disk"
click on the little icon on the right and browse to the windows 10 downloaded iso file
as Partitions scheme select "GPT partition scheme for UEFI"
as File system select "FAT32"
click on Start
wait until it finish, then uplug your USB flash drive
3) with the USB flash drive plugged to your PC, boot to BIOS pressin Del key
4) look if F12 boot menu is enabled, if not, enabled it

5) check if UEFI is the selected BIOS mode (no launchCSM)

6) press F10 to save and exit

7) reboot and press F12, choose the USB flash drive as bootable device

8) choose to do a custom installation and then delete everypartition on your main HDD/SSD

then follow the on screen and restore your pc 

"Hit Accept if its Helpful"

Telephonedialer

Rufus;

I have a second problem, the only PC I have is this one.  I cannot get a legitimate download of Windows from Mac OS.

I assume Windows home was installed on this Acer. I have it a year but never got it functioning, and would like to get this working.

I may have an older Windows 8 installer I can use to install Virtual box, then get Rufus and try that route.

Nicest is if the self-installer would work, but I assume you are telling me that if the system is hanging/crashing at the Acer logo, I need to follow one of the two paths you are recommending?

billsey

When the upgrade from Windows 8 to 10 was performed the original recovery partition was wiped and replaced by the standard Windows 10 recovery. That's why the Acer recovery no longer works. If you are in the US or Canada you can purchase the recovery media from the Acer store, but at this point it's likely better to go the route that Tom suggests with a W10 reinstall. Do you have a friend or family member that could help in getting the Windows ISO downloaded and flashed to a drive? That would make it much easier to go through the next few steps...