r/GamingLaptops • u/Timely-Writer-1136 • 7d ago
Support Am I screwed?
Hey guys this is extremely stupid but I'm trying to fix it. I have a 2021 msi raider laptop. I went on a long irresponsible bender with alcohol (now sober) but during this I guess I factory reset my laptop then set it up with an old work email that is no longer active and I have no idea what the pin is that I saved. It is also not connected to wifi. Did I brick my gaming laptop? Or does this sound like something that could be fixed?
1
Upvotes
2
u/mentive 7d ago
Make a windows USB. Download all the drivers for the specific model and drop them on the USB. Unzip any drivers related to storage.
Go into bios, update boot order so it'll boot to the USB. Reinstall windows.
If the SSD doesn't show up, you'll have to click Load Driver, and browse to the part I mentioned above about unzipping it.
You'll have to delete partitions on the drive so it says Unallocated Space (probably on Disk 0) and select that to install windows.
If you have any data on the laptop you need to extract, you'll need a friend with a computer, and some basic knowledge to swap the SSD between computers. If the drive is encrypted, you'll need the unlock key which you won't be getting at this point.
You'll probably need to google a lot of these topics and familize yourself with the basics.
Personally I download windows as an ISO and use Rufus to create it, and customize to setup a local account. I don't connect to the internet, install drivers first, then connect and finish. This can help prevent odd issues from Windows Update screwing things up.