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

[theog]

   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?

 

[Huwey]

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?

 

[alphanumeric]

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.

 

[Huwey]

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.

 

[alphanumeric]

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?

 

[gregrocker]

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

 

[Huwey]

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?

 

[alphanumeric]

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.

 

[theog]

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]

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.

 

[jamez46]

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

 

[jamez46]

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.

 

[Huwey]

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.

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

 

[theog]

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?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html
Screenshot tools.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/148532-how-use-snipping-tool-vista.html
Snipping Tool - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows
Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/51160-screenshot-upload-using-mwsnap.html
fscapture free download

Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots

 

[Huwey]

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:

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=193294&stc=1&d=1326643415

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

 

[theog]

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

There is NO Factory Recovery Partition.

 

[theog]

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.

View attachment 192282

Do you have the COA & Windows 7 DVD?

 

[Huwey]

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

 

[theog]

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?

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?

Do you have the COA & Windows 7 DVD?

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

No COA, Therefore PC is an illegal sale.

 

[Huwey]

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