Deleted all data from Hard disk

Question

I have a Toshiba Windows 8 and I deleted data from the Hard disk and now I need to boot the laptop off of something, I don't know how to do that. Is there any way I can set up something to boot off of or can I boot off of it without having a bootable USB. I don't know what on earth I am doing.

Answer 1

I don't know what you did as Windows will not delete itself.

To reinstall or work on the OS on a Toshiba:

See if this assists you, if the Toshiba Recovery partition is still intact:

http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/support/items/faq/776

To access the System Restore, Refresh and Reset options using the F12 option at start up, perform the following:

1. If not already, ensure the computer is completely shut down.
2. Now restart the computer by pressing the power button - IMMEDIATELY start tapping the F12 key on the keyboard until the "Boot Menu" screen appears.
3. Using the arrow keys, select <HDD Recovery> and press "Enter".
4. On the next screen you are asked to confirm if you want to continue with recovery. Select "Yes".
5. The computer will bring you to the Advanced start up screen.
6. Select Troubleshoot. Under Troubleshoot you will see “Refresh” and “Reset”.
7. Select “Advanced options.” Located here is "System Restore, etc.."

______________________________________________________

How To: Enter the system BIOS or UEFI on Windows 8 - Toshiba Support

______________________________________________________

If the Recovery partition is not intact, make your own Windows 8.1 DVD or USB Key to use to reinstall:

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you.

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

_______________________________________

"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

   Warning This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

_____________________________________

With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

_______________________________________________

This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."