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

Did the seller, sell you a PC & Windows 7 COA?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
Well initially he told me vista, but he's not very computer avvy, as it came from a small office he ran. He specified, NO windows disk. So its all fair. Just want to keep the windows 7 now, as it is a joy to use, but want a wipe, just to be on the safeside
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bitIntel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5KPL-AM IN/GB X.0x
Memory
2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips Brilliance 230c 1080p
Hard Drives
500GB
Case
Zoostorm
So he sold you a PC with no OS.
You need to buy a COA.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
How much is that? And where can I purchase one? Can't I just get an iso of the dis, and use my product key?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bitIntel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5KPL-AM IN/GB X.0x
Memory
2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips Brilliance 230c 1080p
Hard Drives
500GB
Case
Zoostorm
The COA is the product key.

OEM key.jpg
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
Well I have one of those on the version that is installed. The 25 digit key. And it all tested as genuine through Microsoft's verification
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bitIntel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5KPL-AM IN/GB X.0x
Memory
2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips Brilliance 230c 1080p
Hard Drives
500GB
Case
Zoostorm
What is the wording?

COA Wording.PNG
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
As previously mentioned, I have no sticker, but when I get the info, up on the system, it clearly states, windows 7 ultimate edition 32-bit
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bitIntel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5KPL-AM IN/GB X.0x
Memory
2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips Brilliance 230c 1080p
Hard Drives
500GB
Case
Zoostorm
Did the seller, sell you a PC & Windows 7 COA?

Yes or NO

Well initially he told me vista, but he's not very computer avvy, as it came from a small office he ran. He specified, NO windows disk. So its all fair. Just want to keep the windows 7 now, as it is a joy to use, but want a wipe, just to be on the safeside

So he sold you a PC with no OS.
You need to buy a COA.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
He sold me a pc, with windows 7 ultimate preinstalled, by him. If by COA you mean sticker, no, there was none, as he put it on there himself
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bitIntel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) 32-bit
CPU
Intel Pentium DC E6500 2.9ghz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5KPL-AM IN/GB X.0x
Memory
2GB DDR2, Upgradable to 8GB(4GB + 4GB)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Monitor(s) Displays
Philips Brilliance 230c 1080p
Hard Drives
500GB
Case
Zoostorm
When you first turn on your computer, for about 1 to 3 seconds, at the bottom of the screen you may notice your computer giving you options. One of those options is a method of entering into restoring your computer. Like for example tapping on the F8 or F1 or F10 during restart. In restoring your computer, your should select at total restore. This will wipe the hard drive and will re-install windows assuming you have a secure copy on the D drive.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows7
OS
windows7
As a safeguard, you should make a copy of your hard drive before attempting a re-install, or make a recovery media which usually takes about 3 data dvd disk.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows7
OS
windows7
He sold me a pc, with windows 7 ultimate preinstalled, by him. If by COA you mean sticker, no, there was none, as he put it on there himself

Your seller can not sell you a PC with Windows preinstalled without a COA.
Therefore PC is an illegal sale.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

ME/XP/Vista/Win7
OS
ME/XP/Vista/Win7
Every legal copy of Windows 7 comes with a COA sticker. Normally you would peal it off and stick it to the PC that you used that product code on. If you are missing the COA sticker then technically your Windows 7 is not legal. You have retrieved your product code so you could try re-installing that version using that product code and see if it activates OK. Who knows how long it will last though. If the seller tries to use that product code on another PC your PC could end up failing activation at some point down the road. Also as far as I know you can't sell that PC and advertise it as coming with Windows pre-installed without the COA sticker.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Education 64 bitAMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 MemoryZotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built
OS
Windows 10 Education 64 bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
Memory
8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
Graphics Card(s)
Zotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
Sound Card
VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
Screen Resolution
1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
Hard Drives
Crucial M100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
PSU
Thermaltake TR 620
Case
Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
Cooling
Stock heatsink and fan
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
Mouse
Logitech Wireless M570 Trackman Wheel
Internet Speed
80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Other Info
HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I would contact the seller and ask for the COA sticker and/or Product Key for the installed version of Win7. Tell him you are advised that selling a Windows OS without one is illegal - particularly if it turns out that it is pirated software - and you are wanting to clean reinstall so need the Product Key for the OS sold with it.

Other than that you can try reinstalling with the Product Key you audited to see if it will activate. Merely passing Genuine Windows test does not mean the OS is not pirated as cracktivations are done at the BIOS level to fool Windows Genuine safeguards.

If it will not activate after reinstall, buy an OEM version of Win7 to clean reinstall with it. Clean Install Windows 7
 
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