Clean Refurbished Win7 Pro Laptop, wondering what is to install

[Dana Reed]

I bought a refurbished Dell that seems to be without any bloatware. In CP under Installed Programs there was only Google Chrome which the seller I guess thought he was doing me a favor, but I don't use Chrome so I got rid of it.

I was wondering what are the necessary installations I ought to have? I never had such a bare machine.

Obviously, antivirus, although there is Windows Defender. I could just update it?

Another nice thing the seller did before shipping, he installed every recent Windows Update known to man, which I really appreciate.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Dana,

Windows defender is only anti-spyware.
Either install Microsoft Security Essentials, will update for about 18 months, or a lightweight AV,
such as Bitdefender (very basic & easy to use) , or Kaspersky, lots more to it settings wise.

Dell would have installed some proprietry programs/drivers but there not really neccessary, so if your comps working OK dont worry.
you can allways check all you need to do is goto the dell driver page and input your service tag and do a scan.

You can install any 3rd party programs you require as you go along
ie Printer/PDF reader/OpenOffice etc

Did you buy it from an individual or a shop??
a shop Refurbished machine will have REFURB on the COA, if its just a cleaned-up sold machine the COA will have OEM on it.
If your unsure just run this tool copy/paste the output
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

First thing to do is to retrieve the license key used to install win 7 so you can use if you need to to reinstall Win 7
ShowKeyPlus

The needed software depends on what you're going to work on.

I recommend:
- Browser - Firefox
- MS Office or LibreOffice
- email - OE Classic

 

[torchwood]

I cant believe both i and Mega forgot the most important one:busted:

Once you've got it upto date including 3rd party programs

MacriumFree, create a back-up

Macrium Software | Home Edition



Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

I cant believe both i and Mega forgot the most important one:busted:

Once you've got it upto date including 3rd party programs

MacriumFree, create a back-up

Macrium Software | Home Edition



Roy

I would do a disk image before installing any programs

 

[Dana Reed]

Thank you both, Mega and Roy.

I got it online from a seller that's a shop, and there is a 1 year warranty on it. But I can't locate the COA, (is this supposed to be on a sticker on the laptop?) and there is no Windows disk.
It says in "System" under System and security" that Windows is activated and there is also a product ID number.

If there is any formatting to be done, that would be really stretching my comfort zone, lol.

Also, about what to install, I should have been more clear. What I meant was, I don't necessarily know the difference between bloatware and stuff that isn't strictly necessary to make Windows run, but it helps to have it run more smoothly. Does that make sense?

 

[Dana Reed]

For example, on this laptop I'm using right now, I have

Realtech Ethernet Controller Driver. Is this necessary or convenient to have it just in case?
Synaptics Pointing Device Driver
Microsoft Visual C++
BLIO
BOnjour
CIsco EAP Leap and Peap
Atheros Driver Installation Program

Are any of these necessary?

 

[flavallee]

Dana:

What is the exact 7-character service tag number on that refurbished Dell?

Is it a desktop/tower or a laptop/notebook?

 

[torchwood]

Hi

The COA is likely in the battery compartment.

As for whats on it
needed
C++
Synaptics (touchpad driver)
Cisco (for internet)
Realtek (internet- wired cable connection)

possible
Bonjour - if you use any Apple devices/apps ie Itunes

NOT required
Atheros installer (The OS will do it for you)

Other
BLIO from what i can find???? its an Ebook reader program - if not used remove it


Bloatware is essentially but not allways extra programs installed, by in your case by Dell.
Which are usually not allways neccessary (and some are duplicates that MS has allready included - like Atheros)

There is no need to format your comp unless you believe the seller to be dodgy.
thats why i asked you to run that tool, and check whats on the COA sticker.


Roy

 

[Dana Reed]

Flavallee, it's a laptop.

Thanks for the tip, Roy, there is indeed a sticker in the battery compartment. It has a barcode and says,
Windows 7 Pro OA
DELL

underneath is product key.

 

[Dana Reed]

But, Roy, if I need to install Synaptics which is a touchpad driver, the fact that the touch pad works now, doesn't that mean it's already there?

Also, to be clear, the things I listed are on my working laptop, which also happens to run Win7, but are NOT in the "new" one, at least not in the Programs list in CP. That list is empty, now that I removed Chrome.

 

[torchwood]

Hi

gotcha didnt realise you were talking about a second laptop.

As for synaptics not being installed, if your touchpad on the new one is working then MS has kindly installed thier proprietry driver for you. you can check in device manager.
ONLY if your touchpad DOESN'T recognise normal 2/3 swipes/ etc actions then update otherwise leave it be.

Back to the COA thats the original Dell sticker, the seller is therefor not a registered refurbisher, otherwise like i said earlier it would have the word REFURB on it.

I would definately run a couple of scans on it, and the one youve installed
ESET on-line
Malwarebytes


Note
AS you have NO programs installed you are running IE11, this browser is no longer supported on W7 by MS and therefor a security risk, time to get another


Roy

 

[Dana Reed]

Maybe I should clarify something. Because Win7 isn't supported anymore, it's now increasingly unsafe. And while I don't like to say I'm done with Windows (I love Win7 and would probably use it forever, just like XP), I am done with Microsoft. I'm disgusted they are forcing everybody into Windows 10 which is a trap to suck as much information out of its users as they can. (No, I shall not rant.)

So I decided to learn Linux on an old laptop (enter Dell Wind7 Pro) while I still have my working HP Win7. But when I saw how clean this Dell was I decided I would do the reverse: install only what I needed on it and keep a clean mean streamlined Win7 around for just in case and install Linux on the HP instead which has quirks and things and is annoying me.

Does this make sense? I did not envision however that I would have to install drivers and who knows what, since it has Windows in it. I expected the Win7 Pro to be complete and ready to use without having to fiddle around with it. I only asked about certain things (not knowing what they might be) that might help with Windows operations. I assumed all the necessary stuff would be there. I hope I'm not wrong.

 

[Dana Reed]

Yes Roy, agreed on IE lol. I like Waterfox, personally.

 

[Dana Reed]

So, Bonjour would be necessary for iCloud?

 

[Megahertz07]

Don't worry about Bonjour. If it's necessary to iCloud, it will be installed.

Roy gave you a link to MGAdiag on post #2 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012). This license diagnostic will tell how the dealer installed Win 7. Please run it, hit copy and paste the results here.

If you wish I can post a link from M$ server to download Win 7 iso.


Open Device Manager. Is there any yellow alerts of missing drivers?

 

[torchwood]

Hi

I can understand why the seller gave you a Base version. Granted its ready to go, but every user makes thier own choice of what to install, he doesn't know what else you want or need. He likely included Chrome as its the most used browser. like you i run Waterfox as well as Palemoon.

Im writing this on my MAIN machine running W7

Provided you move away from unsupported MS Programs and use 3rd party ones, espescially in the Browser/Security area's there's not really that much difference between the risks of being infected between 7 & 10. A lot of it is hype - Personal user wise, hackers are now more interested in the business sector.
And most infections are caused by the user, opening infected mail attachments using dodgy websites and using cracked programs.
Macrium is your BEST friend

I'm gonna be using this Genuine Refurbished Dec 2019 lappy Upgraded from W10 machine for a few more years yet.

son just gave me an old 2009 Imac, gonna stick W7 on that too. Had to fix it first wouldn't boot.


Roy

 

[Megahertz07]

I also have Win 7 on my desktop and laptop and intent to use it for may years. Also have Lubuntu and Win 10, just to be aware of them and to confirm that Win 7 is a great OS.

There are many threads here about Win 7 x Win 10.

In my point of view, win 7 is the best as it's more stable. And after 11 years, almost all security issues have been fixed and as Roy has mentioned, most of the security depends on the user.

For the updates, new and old ones, my suggestion is to set Services - Windows Update - Manual and on WU page set it to Never check.
Then run UpdatePack7R2
Simplix is a single file (850MB) that contain all updates since Win 7 released up to date. It has all security and non security updates without the trash (telemetry and tracking). Very good.
Then run WU manually to find updates for Office etc and decide witch one to install.

To uninstall the telemetry, run cmd file to uninstall those KB files.
kb_spy.cmd.txt
Rename it as KB_Spy.cmd and run it.

 

[flavallee]

What you said in post #1 and post #7, I wasn't sure if you were talking about the same computer or 2 different computers.
That's why I asked you if your newly purchased refurbished Dell is a desktop/tower or a laptop/notebook.
What you said in post #11 confirms you were talking about 2 different computers.

The Simplix update pack mentioned in post #18 is a good way to keep Windows 7 up to date beyond its January 2020 official end of life.
It's very simple to use and does all the work automatically.

 

[Dana Reed]

Roy and Mega - thank you so much for your replies and comments. A lot to unpack there, in what you say about Win7. I will wade through that as soon as I can properly focus on it.


In the meantime, I did the scan. I am just pasting it in here, that's what I'm supposed to do right?


Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD
Windows Product Key Hash: xo+ajVSpae7/4VoZjS7m6JL0f3A=
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-8992671-00524
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {C45B8E67-1007-4020-931F-302CD6E44D57}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.120330-1504
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watadminsvc.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\npwatweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watux.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{C45B8E67-1007-4020-931F-302CD6E44D57}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-733WD</PKey><PID>00371-OEM-8992671-00524</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-4261483369-3047889679-3066219475</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Model>Latitude E5400 </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>A19</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20130613000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>BCA63507018400F8</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Pacific Standard Time(GMT-08:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>DELL </OEMID><OEMTableID>M09 </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514

Name: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: 50e329f7-a5fa-46b2-85fd-f224e5da7764
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00371-00178-926-700524-02-1033-7601.0000-1572020
Installation ID: 015595824185310410525711483932973250805550022524127315
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: 733WD
License Status: Licensed
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 6/13/2020 11:28:51 AM

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: N/A
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: N/A
ActiveX: Not Registered - 0x80040154
Admin Service: Not Registered - 0x80040154
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: NAAAAAEAAgABAAIAAAACAAAAAwABAAEAeqig7lmVWgt6f1TcnDf2BRJ91F/a1+DtJldGyg==

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC DELL M09
FACP DELL M09
HPET DELL M09
MCFG DELL M09
____ DELL M09
ASF! DELL M09
TCPA
SLIC DELL M09
SSDT PmRef CpuPm