Windows 7 - Factory defaulting a Compaq laptop

Have been trying most of the day to factory default a Compaq nx7010 laptop running XP Pro and the UAC that the bloke gave me (machines a recycle I thought I would do a tidy up for a a young bloke) doesn't work - it reverts to another password that also doesn't respond.

Now I can boot to Ubuntu with the machine so it is working - after a fashion if you know Ubuntu and thought I could sneek in through the net and get it going.

Have tired running a malwarebytes and other apps like that from a usb but nothing will run in Ubuntu. I have one last option apart form a couple of ounces of C4 and that is another Linux disk - Mint.

I wanted to avoid all the uncluttering and updates but cannot even do that for this default problem. Have tried all the keys I have seen in Googles and I don't have the original disk. So am well and truly stuck.

I do have an old Dell and a OEM but am not keen cos of obvious reasons even though it is XP. Any ideas to get around this password. The fellow told me he has cleared all his stuff out and isn't worried re me using the XP as is.

Hiyya all Have got this machine to go at last but have a small problem.

Whenever I update the Comodo I put on it for security the machine immediately logs of and restarts.


Any ideas on the update problem please?

A new prob I now cannot get into the BIOS to change the boot to opto as I have an XP pro disk now and am trying to reinstall XP to get rid of the original install.

Have tried F10 but it just asks for an admin password and will not type anything.

Have also tried format and drive wipe with CC but nothing happneing.

Any ideas really appreciated.

Solved used an old activation code that was from an old drive (on casing sticker)