Samsung recovery 5 problem- can't restore to manufacturer status

Hi everyone, I was wondering if maybe you could help me here, I have a SAMSUNG RV-415, I started to have problems, maybe virus related. The machine was very slow, then I lost the screen, all black. Although when I connected it to an external monitor, I got a picture. The problem was that the keyboard didn't work properly, and all I could see in the screen were bits and pieces of the folders, all broken, I couldn't access any folder or file,
So I decided to make a backup and restore to day-one status, using Samsung Recovery 5.

The backup wans't a problem, but when I tried to reverte to manufacturer status or any previous point in time, I didn't get any at all, nothing in the list, like the system couldn't read it? I once sent the machine to Samsung ,still under warranty, because of a problem with the HD. They replaced it, so my question is if they forgot to add that function to the new HD? Or is this just a problem with a virus? Apparently the graphic card is not damaged, since I can get a picture using a different screen.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much in advance!

 

Hello Monipilo, welcome to NBR.

I would be very surprised if Samsung replaced the hard drive during that previous repair and didn't install the Recovery. But even then, that doesn't explain your screen problems. So let's take one thing at a time:

1) If you enter BIOS settings (F2) is the screen still blank? You go there by fully shutting down the machine, then immediately after power up, you start pressing F2 about 1-2 times per second; if Window starts booting, you missed it and will have to shut down and try again. (If you use Windows 8, you can use Charms - Settings - PC Settings - General - Advanced Startup to fully shut down the PC).

If the screen is still blank in BIOS (without the external monitor connected) it is a hardware malfunction, NOT a virus or other software problem. It COULD be just a loose cable that needs to be re-seated (something you might be able to do yourself). Otherwise you will need to have it repaired by Samsung.

2) If the screen works properly in BIOS, then it IS very likely a software problem as you suspect, and a factory restore might work. The best way to do this restore is to boot Recovery using F4 (instead of using Samsung Recovery in Windows). Just like when you entered BIOS settings using F2, you fully shut down, then power up and start pressing F4 about 1-2 times per second; again, if Window starts loading, you missed it and will have to try again.

If you manage to F4 boot Recovery, you should choose the option to fully re-partition the disk and restore the factory installation. The exact steps depend on how old your PC is (and thus which version of Recovery). It's pretty self explanatory, though.

Important: Before you do this restore, make sure you have backups of any data on the disk, as it will completely wipe and start over. That's the whole idea with this restore

Let us know how this works for you. I hope it turns out to be a software problem (and that you are able to restore) so that you don't have to send it in for repair again.

 

Thank you so much Dannemand! I have followed all the steps you kindly explained to me, and yes, no problem with the BIOS and no problem to access the Samsung Recovery Console. Now, the problem I am facing now is that when I choose the option "Restore to the factory installation".. it says it can't do this because there is no image to recover, I mean, no restore points and dates to choose this is so weird... I really don't know what to do at this point, I saved all my data and I am ready to perform this restoration step, but I can't... could it be that the disk is damaged and that's the reason why it can't read the restore points? Or could it be an evil virus?
Again, thank you so much for your help!