The link I found on reformatting or refreshing was this one:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc
But I also found a lot more by googling the phrase: "reformat, refresh."

I may try reformatting the netbook just for giggles. It may not be worth 
it since it's doing the kind of stuff its predecessors did before 
refusing to restart. Still, it would be a learning experience.

On 10/27/2015 6:57 AM, Steve Hoad wrote:
> Hi:
> I haven't done any of these (reformat or refresh) since XP but with
> XP, refresh was a joke. It was reformat if you were having problems.
> I reformatted my old XP box 3 times and eventually got 15 years out of
> it. So, maybe it was (or is) reformat that you want to try. Just be
> sure to save all things you want to some good backup drive and get
> close to a sighted assistant and try it.  At this point, it can't hurt
> and it might help.
>
> As far as losing speech with various operations in Windows it seems as
> though some of the losses are dependent on what your system is
> exactly----especially re sound and graphics.
>
> Can you send me the page you found re refresh vs reformat?
>   Thanks,
>
>
> On 10/27/15, Ana G <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> I found a Microsoft website that explains the difference between
>> formatting and refreshing. I decided refreshing was probably what I
>> wanted to do, so I did. What I discovered is that my little netbook was
>> most likely dying because it became incredibly slow even after a couple
>> of hours and because it was still not behaving normally, so I ordered a
>> new one.
>>
>> Anyway, my question is to those who have refreshed their computers:
>>
>> Do you lose speech?
>>
>> The computer I was trying to refresh ran Windows 8 when I bought it, so
>> it would return to windows 8 after the refresh. Using Narrator, I went
>> into Settings or the control panel and followed the steps to refresh,
>> but as soon as I hit the Get Started (or whatever) button, I heard a
>> soft click, and Narrator stopped Talking. I waited a while for things to
>> happen, then tried starting Narrator again. With sighted help, I
>> discovered that the Ease of Access Center wasn't on screen and neither
>> was Any of the stuff Narrator says. We went through a setup process,
>> entering Wi-Gi info and a couple other things. I tried starting Narrator
>> again after signing in, but still nothing. A couple more screens popped
>> up, and eventually, I got to the regular desktop. This time when I tried
>> Narrator, the Narrator screen was visible, but the computer wasn't
>> speaking. After a little trial and error, we figured out that the
>> speakers were on mute.
>>
>> Does speech go away, or was this yet another example of the computer not
>> behaving? I want to know so I can prepare in case there's a next time.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 10/25/2015 2:42 PM, Ana G wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I have a little netbook I take to school to hook up to the overhead
>>> projector when I teach. It's been acting strangely for the last three
>>> or four weeks. For example, it suddenly tells me Word isn't my default
>>> word processor, even though it's the program I generally use when I
>>> take the netbook to class and even though I have clicked on the links
>>> for making it my default word processor. Also, I'm using NVDA, and
>>> instead of getting the raven voice on the log-on screen, I hear
>>> Eloquence. I uninstalled all FS products to prepare for the Windows 10
>>> upgrade, and I still get Eloquence, and I've used the FS utility for
>>> uninstalling everything, and still I hear Eloquence. finally the
>>> windows upgrade keeps failing. I used the Windows Fix-It tool, and
>>> discovered I need to repair my upgrade installation, but when I try,
>>> the system crashes. I've uninstalled NVDA and run the FS utility
>>> again. I've run virus checks. And I've tried to install Jaws 16, only
>>> to hear that it's incompatible with my system.
>>>
>>> I'm thinking it may be time for me to format my drive or refresh
>>> Windows. I've never done either, so I'm nervous, and I'm not sure how
>>> accessible the process is. What's the difference between the two, and
>>> can I do one or both independently or with sighted help.
>>>
>>> the netbook is running windows 8.1. I don't think I've done anything
>>> new to it, except update things like NVDA and Thunderbird. It's an
>>> Asire One, my second. The first died after about three years. This one
>>> is coming up on three years, so it may just be time, but if I can make
>>> it last a little longer, I'd like to do that.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any wisdom.
>>>
>>> Ciao
>>
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>


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