predator factory reset - sound problem it didn't fix all the corrupted files for me

My predator when I bought it has a SSD where windows and recovery is installed, and also a 1tb storage drive. Am I right in thinking, that full factory reset will delete files and reinstall windows on SSD only and keep my other files on storage drive intact as windows is not installed on it. Or does factory reset delete both drives so everything on the laptop is as when bought?

I have a problem I think brought on by windows update, which has cut off all sound, the (sound-video-controllers etc)section where the drivers would be in device manager isn't there at all anymore and no drivers can be added. I found a fix on the microsoft site which worked for a lot of people, where you check windows services, then use command prompt commands to scan and repair the problems, but it didn't fix all the corrupted files for me, so the sound problem is still there.

Tried to use the acer dashboard recovery option to restore and keep my files, but it threw up an error code, so it would not do the recovery like that, so I'm here checking for sure that a full recovery will not delete the storage drive, so I can select factory reset knowing those files won't be deleted.

The reset will also tell me for sure if its a sound card fault, or corrupted files causing the problem.

Thanks

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Accepted answers

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1211394#Comment_1211394

Acer Care Center does not work well in W11, you don't need ACC, most of us have uninstalled/disabled ACC as it frequently hangs and interferes with Windows WAU (updater). I would not worry about the (hidden) Acer OEM folder and Acer's recovery volume on the boot drive. Just do the RESET this Pc without losing your files in Windows, it may remove the recovery volume (and render Acer's OEM folder useless) but it won't touch Office and other programs and also not your personal files. Whatever Acer apps you need (like Quick Access) you can download from Acer Support again. If you do a Clean install of Windows with an ISO image that will reformat only the primary boot drive but as you suggested to play it safe disconnect the secondary data drive before the installation.

All comments

Commodore_1995#

Hello! You have the option to delete ad units or keep the files. However, I prefer to back up the files just in case.

Hkup7fvrDFeA3gw

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I took the option to keep the files in the acer restore app, but every time I tried, I got an error pop up window, so the restore operation could not be completed that way. I would have to do full a full restore without keeping files.

I have not enough external drive space to back up all files from drive D:, this is why I ask if that storage drive D: which does not contain windows application also gets files deleted like drive C: on a full restore.

If I can't get definitive answer, to be on the safe side, I may just remove drive D:, then do the restore, then it cannot have files deleted during the restore process.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1211394#Comment_1211394

Acer Care Center does not work well in W11, you don't need ACC, most of us have uninstalled/disabled ACC as it frequently hangs and interferes with Windows WAU (updater). I would not worry about the (hidden) Acer OEM folder and Acer's recovery volume on the boot drive. Just do the RESET this Pc without losing your files in Windows, it may remove the recovery volume (and render Acer's OEM folder useless) but it won't touch Office and other programs and also not your personal files. Whatever Acer apps you need (like Quick Access) you can download from Acer Support again. If you do a Clean install of Windows with an ISO image that will reformat only the primary boot drive but as you suggested to play it safe disconnect the secondary data drive before the installation.

Hkup7fvrDFeA3gw

Thank you both replies

@ Puraw

Ah I did not know I could go through windows settings for a recovery like that without using system restore. That recovery has worked and it gave me a option to keep my files which worked(unlike acer care centre app). Also upon restore it included a web document icon which contained a detailed list of the applications which were removed, so I would know exactly what to reinstall. All personal files were left intact on C and D drives. My only mistake was to forget about saving the firefox secure passwords box before recovery, so passwords in there are lost. Other than that all good and sound problem fixed.