my asus U46E laptop harddrive failed. replaced it with a brand new 1TB. ran recovery disks. windows boots to OOBE, never prompted for COA, never asked to set up new user/admin. Upon restart it always goes to OOBE mode. I created a new admin User but the original Admin says its locked. Not really sure what to do or if anything is really even necessary to do. Other than the OOBE all seems to be working fine for internet, AVG, etc.
Sounds like your in admin mode. By OOBE mode do you mean the "Run OOBE" box shows up on your screen? If so then your in admin mode. To fix this, simply run OOBE, but Do Not click the "Generalize Box," this will set to OS for generalized imaging, and usually removes anything "machine specific, like drivers. Set it to reboot, and when it does you will be presented with all the prompts for user name, UELA, Key, etc. OOBE stands for "Out of the Box" experience, in other words, like when the machine was new. Admin mode is for OEM's and Certified Refurbisher's (like myself) to prep a machine before OOBE, and sending it to the client, or to create a new image for mass deployment. I find it odd that the machine booted to admin mode on recovery. Is this a refurbished unit?
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