Each time I shut down my ET1161-03 emachine, it does not retain the boot menu defaults. How can this be fixed

You will need to change the boot order in the bios set-up.
Turn your computer off, and turn it n again (alternatively Restart it) These things may be initiated by clicking the Windows button at the bottom left of tour screen, and from the shut down drop down menu selecting the appropriate option) As your computer is starting up, and the Emachines logo appears on the screen
"Press the "Tab" key repetitatively: If that fails to take you into the BIOSsetup, repeat and try either the "Escape," "Delete," or "F2" keys instead of the Tab key.
Once in the BIOS setu[p, Look through the options until see Boot order, and then change that to CD first, HD 2nd. Exit the BIOS setup with save changes option. Done.
19.February.2015

Step 1:
All computer systems go through a set of instructions called the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) when they are turned on. The BIOS checks all of the hardware and software installed on the computer to make sure they are working properly before loading the operating system. You may need to access the BIOS menu periodically to find out the current version of the BIOS you have if there are upgrades available. The command you use to access the BIOS settings on an Emachines computer will vary depending on the specific model you have.

Access the Start menu and click "Shut Down." Select the "Restart" option. Wait for the Emachines logo to appear on the screen as the computer begins booting up again. Press the "Tab" key when the logo appears and see if the computer switches to the BIOS menu. Press the "Escape," "Delete," or "F2" keys if the "Tab" key doesn't take you to the BIOS menu screen. Use the right arrow key to highlight the "Main" entry and press Enter. Scroll down to the heading labeled "BIOS version." Check the long string of numbers and letters under the "BIOS version" heading to locate the current BIOS version your Emachines is using. Press the "F10" key to exit the BIOS menu screen and finish booting up the computer's operating system.
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

May be a bad HDD. Can you access the recovery software at boot? Remove ALL media, DVD, CD, USB. Shut down, unplug, remove battery, plug in, with one habd push the on/off button, with the other press the Alt and F10 keys repeatedly. Here's the procedure: http://support.gateway.com/emachines/desktop/2009/gateway/dx/dx4300/DX4710faq6.shtml

Restart your computer repeatedly tapping the f8 key to enter safe mode while the screen is black once in safe mode where the only things working will be your keyboard and mouse allowing you to attempt to repair your computer
If done properly the user should get to a screen similar to the below screen. Select the option for Safe mode command prompt only Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option: Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice. To perform a system restore, follow these steps: 1.Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK. 2.On the General tab, click Launch System Restore. 3.Select Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next. 4.Calendar dates in bold are possible restore points. Click the most recent one to view system restore information. 5.Select a system checkpoint or an installation restore point, and then click Next. 6.Close all other programs. 7.To start the system restore, click Next. 8.Your computer restarts. Repeat steps 1 through 8 until you fix your configuration issue.
or

It is possible for the Windows operating system on your eMachines computer to have a critical failure. If the operating system on your eMachines computer is failing, you can use your recovery discs to restore your computer. Recovery discs come with your purchase of an eMachine, and contain your operating system and all your basic drivers. You can recover your eMachines W series in about an hour.

Turn off your computer and press "F8" to enter the BIOS menu. Tab over to the "Boot Sequence" or "Boot Order" menu. Move your optical drive to the top of the list. Press "F11" to exit and save changes. Insert your recovery disc into your optical drive, then restart your computer. Press any key to boot from disc. Select the "Full Recovery" option from your recovery disc menu. Allow the recovery procedure to complete. Hope this helps.

If you can't get into the bios, you can't start a repair, when it's booting, continually press F2 to get the bios up, if that does nothing reboot an continualy press Del, this is for the bios menu and set the cd drive as first boot device.

If not continually press F8 on boot up this is safe mode, then when youre in highlight last known good configuration and press Enter.

Give this a try as your pc will not be set to boot from cdrom as default and will just try to boot into windows.

You need to update the bios, go the manufacture brand put the model and download the bios update, install it and try again to enable the f12 at the satrt up.
Thanks

Hi ,
Please follow the steps required for restore you system factory setting.

1. Click on Start and then All Programs
2. Click on the eMachines folder
3. Double click on eMachines Recovery Management.
4. It will open your recovery console.
5. In Recovery management console you have different option .( Left side menu)
6. Click on Restore. It will open the three options.

Completely Restore System to Factory Defaults - Restores the computer the factory settings, all data on the computer is removed and cannot be recovered.

Restore Operating System and Retain User Data - Restores the Operating System on the computer, files within the User accounts folders are moved to "c:\backup".
Reinstall Drivers and Applications - Launches the application used to reinstall the drivers and applications on the computer.

Which option you want to use ,click on that and follow the instruction.

Hope this will help you.

Thanks for using FixYa.

hi
Reboot is nothing but restart. So if you wish to reboot your computer then just shut it down and restart it. You don't need any CD for that.

If your system isn't shutting down, you can turn it off directly. But it is not recommended to do often, as it could damage your Windows and may also damage your hard drive.
However, yes, if you want to reinstall the Windows then you would require the CD. If this is the case then please let me know through comment, else rate.
Thanks.

Power supply.

Try putting the computer into safe mode by shutting down the computer. Turn the computer back on. At beginning of the boot process press and hold the f8 button and select safe mode from the menu.

When the safe mode is done booting up, try moving the mouse around. If it works, restart the the computer under normal Windows startup procedures.