My Windows 8 Laptop keeps switching between the Start Screen and the Desktop. It has also somehow wiped everything of the hard drive. What do I do?

I normally have to Refresh the Windows installation, then I update the drivers for the ATi graphics card, seems to fix the issue, I have noticed that this only seems to happen on HP machines with an ATi card installed, I haven't had it yet on Nvidia or standard onboard Intel cards.

Because it's always HP machines, I just press F11 when I am booting the unit to get to the recovery manager, then select Refresh, normally takes about 40min to an hour depending on the PC. I am currently getting 2 or 3 of these a week, it hasn't made a difference if it's Windows 8 or 8.1 either.

The common factors in all of these are:

1. HP units
2. ATi graphics cards

Hope this helps.

Side note, if you can boot to Windows, go to your Power options, hold Shift and click on Restart, this will give you sub menus, it allows you to Safe Mode etc as well.

Hi Ryan,

I understand that the computer keeps switching between the Start Screen and the Desktop screen.

 

1. Do you get any error message?
2. Have you made any recent changes to the computer?

 

I suggest you to try the following troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.

Windows 8 has several touch gestures built in and you might have triggered the app switching gesture which causes this issues. The app switching gesture is triggered when you swipe from the left side of the trackpad to the middle. I suggest you to disable it and check if it helps.

 

Method 1:

 

1. Press Windows key + I and click on PC settings.
2. Select the option “General”.
3. Look to where it says app switching and turn off "When I swipe from the left edge, switch directly to my most recent app.

 

Method 2:

 

Step 1: Check if the issue occurs in Safe Mode.

Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started.

Follow the link below to learn how to do so.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

 

Step 2: If the issue doesn’t occur in Safe Mode, then perform Clean Boot.

****Clean boot: To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts. Here is the link for your reference to perform clean boot.

             

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

 

Note: After performing the troubleshooting steps in clean boot, follow these steps to return the computer to Normal startup mode.

 

a) Press the ‘Windows + R’ key on the keyboard.

b) In the ‘Run’ windows type ’MSCONFIG’ and click ‘Ok’.

c) On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click ok.

d) When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

 

Hope this information is helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

This information was not helpful - just a waste of time.  As for MSCONFIG, it is physically impossible to do when the Desktop screen is in a loop of restarting.  Please refer this problem to someone who understands what is happening.   There must be a flaw in the software package - and I am getting quite angry.

I am having the same issue! Was using my laptop fine last night and this morning it isn't working. Can't get any of the functions Microsoft suggested due to the screens going back and forth! 

 This problem started about a week ago.  Going crazy with this.  Which key is Windows key?

Method 1 was worthless.

I am having the same issue! Was using my laptop fine last night and this morning it isn't working. Can't get any of the functions Microsoft suggested due to the screens going back and forth!