I just did a system restore/factory reset on my laptop and when the system rebooted and went to reinstall all the factory default junk, it got stuck on the Software Installation screen (EDIT: While it's installing something called "Cleanup"). If i leave it running, i'll get the BSoD and so far, the only way to even get into the system is via Safe Mode (i'm posting this via Safe Mode with Network enabled or whatever it's called).

Anyone want to give me a hand here? :)

My OS is Windows 7 Home Premium.

Why did you restore in the first place? I only ask because I want to rule out HDD failure.

I used something that i shouldn't have that sent me on a loop of system repair > restart > system repair > restart.

Just added something i had overlooked before to my first post, i've also been attempting to do a complete factory reset, the one that cleans everything off the HDD (as oppossed to the one that saves some stuff), but all that seems to do is reboot the system.

You might try repairing a second time by powering your computer on and tapping the F8 key repeatedly as it boots up until the advanced boot options are displayed. Use the arrow keys to select "Repair your computer" and press Enter. Usually requires the Windows disk and some advanced knowledge of system repair IIRC. See attached Win7Repair image.

But . . . this may be the safest way . . .

While in Safe Mode, see if you can do a "System Restore" to a point prior to the problem. When I say System Restore I mean the MS system restore utility that comes with Windows not the manufactures system restore. The interface is usually under Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore or similar depending on your setup. That should put you back to the same system you had at that particular restore point. I've had great luck using this utility. I would choose a restore point at least a day before the problem occurred. As a rule of thumb I usually check Windows update after using a restore point in case any security updates were done after that restore point.

If that doesn't work you can use the manufacturers system restore which may or may not give you the option to do a destructive / non-destructive restore depending on the manufacturer. A non-destructive repair will not delete your files but will require you to reinstall program other than the ones that came with the system. Usually there is an F key shown of the first startup page that will allow you to enter the restore utility. If you don't see the F key for the restore utility displayed you can do a Google search for the F key that allows you to restore for the manufacturer of your computer. For instance, I believe Gateway and HP's restore activates by pressing F-11on the start screen.

If you made the manufactures restore disk (most ppl don't) you can also boot to that disk and restore from it. You may have to go into your BIOS and set the computer to boot from the CD / DVD drive if it is not the first bootable drive.

After you get your system up and running, if you didn't make the one time manufacturers restore disk . . . I would suggest you make one as it is the only way to restore you system if the hard drive fails (other than ordering the disk from the manufacturer)

Good luck . . . =)

Edit: Cleanup usually means it completed the process and is cleaning up after itself, looks like the cleanup process failed to complete.

@lukipela: Don't have a recovery CD, this laptop came with all that stuff on a partition on the HDD. Thanks for the detailed post, but unfortunately that doesn't help very much.

1)
I've gotten into the advanced boot menu already, no repair option is there anymore.

2)
I did a System Restore via the advanced boot options menu (after repair failed way back then, i was offered other options, Restore and Reset Factory Defaults among them) before i did a System Recovery/non-destructive Factory Reset and i choose the last restore point which had happened 3 days ago and it didn't help. I kept getting booted straight into repair, when that failed i was prompted and reboot and then thrown back into repair. After this is when i did the factory reset. Attempting another one is not possible because there are no Restore Points available.

3)
Attempting the secondary system restore you outline can only be done i believe by going to All Programs > eMachines > eMachines Recovery Management. And then choosing Recovery Option from within the menu that pops up. All that does is reboot the system and nothing else.

Thanks!

I also getting a window after the BSoD that says.

Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown.

Windows can check online for a solution to the problem.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 1e
BCP1: FFFFFFFFC0000096
BCP2: FFFFF8000289D00A
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7600
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\060111-29733-01.dmp
C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-75364-0.sysdata.xml

Read our privacy statement online:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=104288&amp;clcid=0x0409

If the online privacy statement is not available, please read our privacy statement offline:
C:\Windows\system32\en-US\erofflps.txt

Hummn, I believe you can restore an emachine with F-11 as well. Might not be the same model as yours but these steps should be very basic for most emachines

Edit: you may be able to create the recovery CD in safe mode. Should be on the menu under something like Maintenance, eMachine, Create Recovery Disk etc.

Just added a little more info to my last post before this one.

Also just tried that, i rebooted my system and immediately started hitting F11 and it brought me to a more limited Advanced Boot Options menu, it asked for a recovery cd to do the recovery and the only other options offered were Safe Modes and Start with the last known good configuration.
Missed your edit, yes, i see that option. Should i try creating one?

Read my edit above, if safe mode is functioning you should be able to create the recovery disk. I suggest using a DVD for the disk as it would take several CD's. Your manual should give instructions on creating the recovery disk or Google the steps . . . =)

BTW, usually a system will only allow you to create one recovery disk so follow the instructions carefully. I make a backup of all recovery disks as well.

With the disk, you should have no trouble restoring to the original install of Windows.

Gotcha...is this likely to work? because it requires 3 DVDs which i don't even have on hand right now.

Is it asking for 3 blank DVDs? If so, so far, so good. DVD blanks are cheap.

If it's asking for 3 original DVDs which you don't have anymore, you may be in trouble.

I would prefer to try several things first and use the manufacturers restore as a last resort but . . . it would take many pages to go thru the trial and error diagnosis process.

I would get a small package of DVD's and make the recovery disks since you have tried the normal fixes. A recovery disk, if properly made and your hard drive is not damaged, should easily restore your system to the original setup. If nothing else put disk 1 in the drive and reboot, it should boot to the disk and start asking if you want to restore regardless of the condition of your windows install currently on the HD.

Edit: Regardless of what else you do I would make the recovery disks. Manufacturers should put more emphasis on making the disk set.

@cjrgreen: Blanks, lol.

@Stuff: Sounds like it's likely to work, the only reason i was asking is because i'm stuck at home until the whirlpool tech guys come in to fix my dishwasher and fridge, so i can't go out to get those DVDs until later in the evening or tomorrow.

But thanks a lot for the help, i'll post back how that goes once i get it done.

Should be no problem to do this later. As long as your system restore partition is not damaged and windows can run the disk creation program . . . you should be home free.

Take your time, get the disk, run the disk creation program and follow the on screen prompts for making the disk. Allow the program to complete the creation and don't turn off the computer. Booting to disk 1 of the set or using F-11 as before and inserting disk 1 when prompted should allow you to recover the system. Good luck . . . =)