jodie_66 :
my dad reset his factory settings without any back up disc any ideas?
Once the computer is set back to factory settings, there is go way to go back. However that applies to the partition that is the C Drive. If he put all his data on the D drive, that should be intact.
However, to help you in the future, do the following things:
Make recovery CDs/DVDs from your laptop. Do it now! If something fails on the hard drive, you will at least be able to restore the factory setting from these CDs/DVDs. If not you may have to buy a set from ACER.
It would be best to simply configure the system, remove and install software, so as to bring the computer back to what he likes to work with. Also, let Microsoft Update run all the updates there...