How can I wipe clear all data on pre-owned/used PC?

theog said:

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.

& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


How to use Recovery Partition, make Recovery Disks, order Recovery disks:
Zoostorm: PC Systems, Laptop Computers and Netbooks

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

Is the disk used on my comp though, of any use to the seller still? I.e will he be reluctant to hand it over?

Huwey said:

Ok, first of all, sorry about the delay guys, I wasnt receiving any email notifications to tell me there had been new posts posted.

Okay, I done a tiny bit of research, and think the tower came with NO operating system, therefore there is no COA sticker, so the previous owner installed their OWN copy of windows 7 ultimate edition.

I ran Belarc advisor, and it turns out, it says ****-OEM-.....In the 20 digit code. What does this show? What should I ask the previous owner exactly, If he Paid or Not?

Ok, before I do any HDD wipes, I want to make sure if your method you stated, will protect my current OS? As I dont want to lose the win 7 I have.

The actual Product Code will be a 25 digit key, 5 groups of 5, it won't have OEM in it. The Product ID as displayed on the System screen, Windows key + pause break key, can have OEM in it. You want the Product Code not the Product ID. The Product ID is of little to no use to you.

Wow, that sounds just like the thing I need, thanks dean. I'll defo give that a try as it sounds like my best option as things stand.

Microsoft - Windows 7 Ultimate *****-OEM-*******-*****(Key: 342DG-*****-*****-*****-*****) Ok there is what I have listed. Where can I go from here? Obviously I have characters where the stars are, but I just want to keep the data under wraps for copyright reasons.

Huwey said:

Is the disk used on my comp though, of any use to the seller still? I.e will he be reluctant to hand it over?

The DVD used to install your version of Windows is not tied to your specific product code, it will accept any valid product code for that version of Windows 7. If its the only disk he has he may not want to part with it. You could always ask for a copy of that disk. It might be easier just to download an ISO from Digital River.
Windows 7 ISO x86 and x64 Official Direct Download Links (Ultimate, Professional and Home Premium) « My Digital Life

Just to recap, there is no COA sticker on the PC, and there is no recovery partition on the hard drive?

Given that the PC came with no OS, the Product ID having OEM in it's string means that the previous owner either bought retail OEM version or is using a illegal cracktivation. I would ask him directly how he activated Win7. If he says he bought a retail copy, ask whether it was OEM. He would know if he bought that version specifically, or may only know that he installed a crack and not realize it also lists OEM in the Product ID string.

If he says he bought OEM retail version then ask for the Product Key or try the Product Key which Belarc audited to see if it will activate after reinstall. If not you'll have to buy Win7 if you want to use it on that rig, and unless you have a retail copy of Vista or XP to qualify for Upgrade version it will have to be OEM (considerably cheaper) or full retail (not cheap).

Hopefully he bought retail OEM if he bought the tower without an OS and therefore was conceivably a System builder. But he should also have the Product Key and disk for you if so. If he doesn't and has a good excuse, we can help you find an installer for your version if you specify it exactly.

If you want to preserve Win7 then save a backup image externally first so you can start over if necessary: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Thankyou for being so thorough with all your help. That is correct, there is no COA sticker. I'm not sure about recovery partitions. Though, how do I check? I'm liking the whole, iso idea, as I'm fairly confident with burning and using those. And all I meed for that, is my 25 digit key, is that correct? No passwords etc?

Huwey said:

Wow, that sounds just like the thing I need, thanks dean. I'll defo give that a try as it sounds like my best option as things stand.

Microsoft - Windows 7 Ultimate *****-OEM-*******-*****(Key: 342DG-*****-*****-*****-*****) Ok there is what I have listed. Where can I go from here? Obviously I have characters where the stars are, but I just want to keep the data under wraps for copyright reasons.

What is listed after the word key: is your product code, thats what Windows 7 will ask for during an install.

I'm not sure about recovery partitions. Though, how do I check?

Zoostorm: PC Systems, Laptop Computers and Netbooks

Windows 7



Using Internal Recovery



The unit comes with a hard drive based recovery solution. If you need to re-install the O/S, please follow the below guide. This will remove all files and data on the computer so a backup must be performed before continuing.



Keep tapping F8 on boot

Choose ‘Repair Your Computer’ from the Windows Advanced Start-up Menu

Follow the on screen prompts to log in under your username

Click on Reinstall Windows

Follow the on screen prompts