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

Try doing a restore, this will wipe the hard drive and it should re-install windows.

I do not know for sure if all computers are the same or were setup the same but my computer for example has a secure copy of Windows. Your windows help files should tell you how to preform a restore.

Okay, If I do this recovery partition method, will I need the windows disk to re-install? As I said, the underlying problem is, I don't wish to lose windows 7. I have done various validation processes, and it turns out genuine in each, hence me wanting to keep.

theog said:

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

gregrocker said:

I thought you said the PC originally came with no OS. Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map with listings showing all columns. Use Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

Is there a prompt for Factory Recovery on the BIOs screen at boot?

If you run Factory Recovery it may not be Win7 and you will lose all of your files and the existing installation. However if it turns out the Win7 is geniune we can help you clean reinstall it using the Product key audited by Belarc or provided by the PC seller.

Can you post a screen shot of Disk management?
Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums
Screenshot tools.
A Preferred Method of Uploading/Posting Screen Shots
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/14...ool-vista.html
Snipping Tool - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots
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Screenshot and Upload using MWSnap
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Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots

gregrocker said:

I thought you said the PC originally came with no OS. Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map with listings showing all columns. Use Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

Is there a prompt for Factory Recovery on the BIOs screen at boot?

If you run Factory Recovery it may not be Win7 and you will lose all of your files and the existing installation. However if it turns out the Win7 is geniune we can help you clean reinstall it using the Product key audited by Belarc or provided by the PC seller.

That's right, I contacted manufacturers and they said, it came with no OS, but I purchased it "pre-owned", of an independent seller, and "he", I assume, put windows 7 ultimate on.

Ok here's a screenshot, of what you requested. I hope I have done this right:

https://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...1&d=1326643415

I will just check now if there's a prompt for factory recovery, and report back.

I will just check now if there's a prompt for factory recovery, and report back.

There is NO Factory Recovery Partition.

gregrocker said:

Look for a COA sticker on the machine to see what is the licensed version originally installed upon it, and whether the Product Key is readable.

Attachment 192282

Do you have the COA & Windows 7 DVD?

I have neither. What's my best option then, to wipe, and keep windows 7?

Win7 iso? Avg cleanup, or other? All as mentioned in this thread

Huwey said:

I contacted zoostorm, and they said they dont put windows7 "ultimate" on their systems, just "home" and "premium", so Im guessing the guy I purchased off, put "ultimate" edition on himself, via disk or upgrade. Its verified genuine OS, and I'd like to keep it. But just want to do a fresh wipe. What would be best to do?

Huwey said:

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.

Which one?

theog said:

Do you have the COA & Windows 7 DVD?

Huwey said:

I have neither. What's my best option then, to wipe, and keep windows 7?

No COA, Therefore PC is an illegal sale.

Sorry for the confusion, from what I can decipher, it came with NO, operating system. The guy bought it off zoostorm directly, put win 7 on for his own personal use, then I bought off him. Nothing illegal about it. I just want to wipe and keep OS, not get into legal matters, thanks