Selling laptop with no DVD how to wipe clean and reinstall windows?

[pintree3]

I am selling my BenQ Joybook Lite. Since there is no dvd player, the OS was installed at the factory with the sticker and serial number placed at the bottom of it. There is no copy of it in the computer. In order to protect data on it I need to do a clean wipe of the drive. What do I do about re-installing my copy back to it? Who do I contact at Microsoft? thank you

 

[Brink]

Hello pintree,

Since you have the OEM product key number from the COA sticker, you could use the method in the tutorial below to clean install Windows. It'll include how to download a Windows ISO file to use to create a bootable USB with.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[pintree3]

I had thought of that but how does the downloaded ISO equal my serial number? I thought that somewhere on the installation DVD (in this case non-existant) there was the code for the serial number so that what you wrote down equals what s written there. I know this because of my bad eye sight, on having bought the office and adobe suite I know a wrong code will prompt you with a window telling you so. Hence wouldn't this ISO do the same? I don't want to do anything illegal. Hence me thinking to contact Microsoft. Thank you

 

[Brink]

No worries. The ISO is an official retail copy from Microsoft. As long as you download an ISO for the same edition of Windows, you will be able to legally activate it with your OEM product key. That tutorial was written specifically to help for this.

 

[Britton30]

You can erase all data on the drive using the clean all command, see the note here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html#post479399

 

[pintree3]

Thanks Brink that is indeed good news. And thanks britton for the cleanall command. Now I'm using CCleaner to do the wipe but I'll be doing it again with the cleanall command as well. And then re-partition the drives and do it one final time--wanna be really sure.

 

[pintree3]

2 additional questions

I went to the web link for the ISO and though the info in the beginning does mention the "Starter Edition" there is no actual starter ISO nor could I find where to go for it.
Also: I remembered something. The computer was purchased in Taiwan--which means it was originally in Chinese, although I had wanted an english one. Then the tech person there, (bought at an internationally known chain store: Carrefour) did something to make it English.
Since then I've had no problem with updates and windows checks for this and that including later installing Office. Could I then assume that the serial on the back is still the same for the now English version of it (The serial number sticker was never changed)? Or do I need to contact BenQ or something?

 

[Brink]

Ah, in that case there will not be an ISO for Starter available for download unless you have a TechNet or MSDN subscription.

You'll need to do a factory restore instead, but I can't find anything for how on a BenQ Joybook Lite.

 

[pintree3]

Ahhhh :-( I did write to BenQ and am waiting for a reply. The page does mention starter though so why did it mention it? And if it's not there, since it is mentioned should they not provide a link?
Now all I could do is sit and wait I guess. I had Loved the Joybook Lite for its weight and ease of portability but once I saw the OS I knew it would cause me trouble, and it has. Since I doubt I could sell it for much, I could upgrade it if it's only a few bucks--and I mean a few. $ 1.99 would be nice Just kidding of course but I wouldn't spend much more than that if any.

 

[Britton30]

You will have to prepare the .iso so you can install Starter. See the 1. and the 2nd bullet item here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[gregrocker]

You will have to prepare the .iso so you can install Starter. See the 1. and the 2nd bullet item here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

In addiition to the steps above to unlock Starter so you can choose it from the Menu you'll then get during install, you can choose the ISO for English or Chinese. Only rarely are these restricted. We have a Language expert here Kari who confirmed this again the other day.

Doublecheck that the netbook has 32 bit at Control Panel>System, as I'd bet it does and even if it doesn't if there is less than 4gb RAM I would use 32 bit.

Let us know if you need any additional help.