Bought a used laptop, what now?

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ALDJ1

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Sep 21, 2013
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I purchased a used laptop for my little brother, and ant to know what to do now. I want to restore it to the factory settings to wipe everything, but are there other things I should also do?
The model is a Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5200.
For wiping the drive, I can't just wipe it, can I? I was given no product key, nor disks for windows.
 
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ALDJ1

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The computer boots and everything, and doesn't Toshiba have like a windows recovery/reset on it? (I won't be able to purchase a new windows for the pc)
 
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ALDJ1

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Sep 21, 2013
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If I were to format the drive, and reinstall windows via USB, would I need the product key? I have a product key sticker on the bottom of the laptop. (Sorry, guess I do have the key)
 
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ema21del9

ema21del9

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Not 100% sure, it needs to be a "retail" version of Windows to be used more than once, try asking in Windows forum section.
 
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mbarnes86

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Sep 16, 2010
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Hi

If toshiba is working then you should be able to make a windows recovery disk set
Then reboot off the disk do a re install
This will have the device drivers required included

Look in toshiba tools folder for recovery disk builder

What windows is on the laptop now?
and is it the same as when first supplied ?

If it came with XP then probably any toshiba xp cd will work

Regards
Mike Barnes
 
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ALDJ1

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I will not be changing anything for the PC, and I planned on keeping it at Windows 7 until after I formatted, so I would be reinstalling Windows 7. So, if I go into the bios settings, format the drive, then install windows 7 via usb, it should work?
 
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ALDJ1

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Do you know where I can get the ISO? I tried through Microsoft, verified the Product key and the message that popped up saying it is an OEM Product key, and to check with the OEM company to see about software recovery.
 
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ALDJ1

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Yes, it is. I just tried the number on microsoft, and when I tried getting the iso through product key verification, it told me it is OEM, and to contact the OEM company for the recovery software.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Right.
So now you just have to find a viable Win 7 install ISO.
Or, you may be in luck and the original Toshiba recovery partition is still there. Look into that first.
 
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ALDJ1

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If the recovery partition is still there, do I copy it onto a usb drive? I found this link here about Toshiba ISOs

http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Other-Satellite-Laptop-Models/Windows-7-Home-Prem-OA-MEA-ISO/td-p/652792
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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With that Recovery partition, there should be a function to create your own DVD or USB. You don't just copy it over.

And from that Toshiba link:
"I have the recovery discs for it."
 
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ALDJ1

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Any idea on how to do so?
 
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ALDJ1

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Thank you :)
I found two options. Either a Ststem image, or System repair disx. I take it I do the system image, put that on a usb, then format my hdd?

Edit: It says my flash drive is not a valid backup location
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Maybe it is demanding DVD's instead. For a laptop that old, that would not be unusual.
 
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ALDJ1

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What size DVD would I need? I can run and get some at the store tonight.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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It will almost certainly take more than one.
Standard DVD's are all one size, 4.7GB.
 
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mbarnes86

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Sep 16, 2010
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Hi

Most Toshiba recovery sets can be put onto two 4.7GB standard DVD-r disks or one x double layer DVD-R
some require an extra DVD-r for drivers

Often With Toshiba Win 7 the Windows files to creat the Recovery DVD's are in a folder on the D: partition not a recovery partition

If this works you wont need the key on the Windows COA label
If you are lucky you get a trail version of MS Office which can be converted to a permenant copy of Word & Excel (without buying a licence key)

If your PC is on the internet it will go away and do a large number of Windows Updates which is best left running over night.

regards

Michael Barnes
 
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ALDJ1

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Sep 21, 2013
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I tried downloading the System image and the recovery disc. I did both of them, however apparently they aren't the discs I need. I am trying to figure this out before I go back to my college, so I can leave the laptop here at home with my little brother. It has the offer for the windows 10. What are the benefits of the clean install of windows 7? What if I just upgrade to windows 10 with the free update?
 
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