Solved How can I get rid of all traces of a netbook's previous owner?

[frh1]

I bought a used Samsung N-150 netbook with Windows 7 Starter. The previous owner deleted his user account, but. left the files associated with it. I will be the only user and do not want to be annoyed by having to log out as a user in order to log in as administrator. The only account I want on the machine is the administrator account.

So far, everything I try to set-up or save defaults to the left-over file structure under the previous owner's user's name.

After numerous searches for a way to get rid of all files associated with this guy, I am about ready to re-format the drive, then re-install the operating system from the recovery partition.

Is there an easier way to get this guy out of the computer?

 

[Zomby88]

Personally. I would restore it as you suggest. It won`t take long and you`ll be better off.

 

[Corazon]

I agree.

 

[kegobeer]

You can skip the format and just restore from the hidden partition. It'll wipe everything on the C drive. If you have another partition, after the restore is done you can just format the extra partition.

 

[gregrocker]

If you want the cleanest reinstall without the factory preinstalled bloatware and useless utilities which have better versions built into Win7, find a Win7 installation ISO and burn to DVD or bootable flashstick (which you need for repairs anyway).

All the steps are here: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[frh1]

Gregrocker, I will follow your link after I finish typing this...

Per the help file/instructions on the home screen, I found out how to use the recovery console to restore the netbook to factory settings. It resolved to the previous owners log in screen. The only thing I can do now is enter the guy's password or use shutdown options. I don't know his password, and since it took him several days to respond to his Craigslist listing, I don't expect him to call me back right away.

I called Samsung and they had me do the F4 restore a couple of times. I even tried re-sizing partitions. No matter what I try it keeps taking me back to the previous owner's log in screen. All the Samsung support guy could tell me is it does that sometimes. Samsung is sending me a disk, but the Support guy told me I will have to download drivers from their website.

About the only thing I can think of doing right now is to search for a utility I can put on a USB drive to format Drive C, then use the F4 recovery console to restore Windows 7.

I'm open to options.

P.S. I have bandaids on both thumbs, and am using the one finger method to type on an iPad, so please forgive my typing and spelling errors.

 

[gregrocker]

When you boot the Win7 installer to clean reinstall, or most Recovery Disks to run Factory Recovery, there is no prompt for password and you start fresh with a new Computer Name/Owner/Admin account.

 

[frh1]

When you boot the Win7 installer to clean reinstall, or most Recovery Disks to run Factory Recovery, there is no prompt for password and you start fresh with a new Computer Name/Owner/Admin account.

I understand what you are saying, but like I said, the Samsung tech guy told me their recovery program does not always do a clean install like it is supposed to. He gave me two options. I could send the computer back to them and for a fee and they would restore it to a clean install. Or they will send me a disk for free. I chose the second option.

If I can find a way to format Drive C:, and the recovery program didn't work, I don't think I'd be any worse off than I am now.

 

[TJG]

Unless the previous owner changed the factory image.

TJG

 

[frh1]

Unless the previous owner changed the factory image.

TJG

Could you explain what you mean? This is my first experience with Windows 7.

I bought the netbook from an individual who said he bought it from Costco about a year ago. He said he did not have it long before he replaced it with a laptop (because he said the netbook was too slow and it's screen was too small). Except for marks on the screen where it contacts a few keys when closed, it looks brand new.

I bought it because I looked at a couple of high-end fully ruggedized daylight enabled tablets and was. Very disapoonted that I could not see their screens in full sunlight.

The Samsung N-150 is one of the more recent netbooks that is on the Pixel Qi screen compatibility list. (You would think that if they wanted to create more demand for their screens, their compatibility list would include the most up to date hardware... Before I even think about changing the screen though,, I need to install and test a 30 day demo copy of the Industry specific software I want to use. (The minimum system requirements for the software call for a latger screen and Windows 7 home premium, so who knows...)

 

[winsupertweaker]

You're probably not choosing the full recovery option. Most hidden partitions give you two options. A. a recovery of the OS and keep programs, personal files and user names intact. B. You fully format the drive and install the OEM copy of Windows with their crapware.

There is no way the previous owner could have created an OEM recovery partition with his name still intact. A backup image of course, but that's not what we are instructing this poster to do (use a backup image, I mean). Good luck!

 

[theog]

Or they will send me a disk for free. I chose the second option.

Go with the Free disks for start, as will get a cleaner install from disks.

 

[gregrocker]

I've never heard of disks requiring a password so just boot the first one and see what happens. You can wipe the HD first and reset the CMOS if there are any problems:
SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Be aware that you also have an option to get a much cleaner install by finding a Win7 retail installer to clean reinstall with the Product Key on COA sticker. The steps are here: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[frh1]

I'm new here and said I have absolutely no experience with Windows 7, but that does not mean I am entirely stupid about computers.

As I said in several posts I did the full factory restore that was supposed to wipe all old data from the hard drive. I did the same thing again twice with Samsung's tech guy on the phone. He seemed knowledgeable, and told me it doesn't always work. I should have pressured him into telling me exactly why it didn't work, but my guess is the recovery program failed to re-format Drive C.

I don't think the guy I bought the netbook from would have any reason to modify the restore program, even if he knew how.

If anyone has a link to a 32 bit format utility that will work on a USB thumb drive I would like to try re-formatting Drive C, then running the recovery program when I get home.

Gregrocker, I know you are giving me good information. But I did not understand much of what was in your earlier posts. I will follow the links in your last post when I can read them on something larger than a 7" screen.

 

[gregrocker]

If you don't understand something then ask questions until you understand it clearly. Most of the steps I give are accompanied with highlighted links to illustrated tutorials. These will walk you through the steps with our help.

 

[frh1]

You're probably not choosing the full recovery option. Most hidden partitions give you two options. A. a recovery of the OS and keep programs, personal files and user names intact. B. You fully format the drive and install the OEM copy of Windows with their crapware.

There is no way the previous owner could have created an OEM recovery partition with his name still intact. A backup image of course, but that's not what we are instructing this poster to do (use a backup image, I mean). Good luck!

It makes absolutely no sense to me why Samsung's Recovery Solution 4 (that came installed on the netbook) created the first recovery point after first run. But that's no longer an issue. Neither is the disk Samsung sent me.

The problem got resolved, although not the way I thought it would. I was at the local Staples store to purchase a USB thumb drive when the tech guy told me he would change the Administrator Name and password for $10.00. I dropped it off the next morning and picked it up in the afternoon.

I am now in the process of deleting unnecesary crapware and setting the netbook up the way I want it.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad you got it done for you, and I'm sorry you were unable to understand the steps I gave you or ask back questions to make them clearer.

Here are some tips to Clean up factory bloatware

 

[frh1]

Greg, thanks for the concern. A lot of times the solution to a problem comes down to the amount of time it takes. I'm certain your tutorials would have resulted in a better installation, but I don't have the time to devote to the learning curve right now.

I will follow your link for cleaning up factory bloatware. Some of the programs that came with the netbook seem to duplicate features that are already in Windows 7. I debated getting rid of McAfee because I prefer it over other anti-virus programs I have used on my desktop computer. I was surprised how much faster the netbook ran after running the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe) and turning on Microsoft's anti-virus.

 

[gregrocker]

MucAfee removal solves problems we see here almost every week.

Let us know if there's anything else, and when you're ready to try a Clean Reinstall - which is a great learning experience that will jump you up to Enthusiast level.

You'll also know you're getting the best install possible with our help. We're here when you're ready.

 

[frh1]

MucAfee removal solves problems we see here almost every week.

Let us know if there's anything else, and when you're ready to try a Clean Reinstall - which is a great learning experience that will jump you up to Enthusiast level.

You'll also know you're getting the best install possible with our help. We're here when you're ready.

Thanks, I will be doing that on a couple of desktop computers (and probably a laptop too) starting around the end of next week.