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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 18:50 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: How to put windows on a blank computer Reply with quote

Hello computer gurus. Assistance required.

I have got a 2nd hand laptop that has been professionally wiped using something called Blancco. (I dont know if that makes a difference or what)

I knew I would have to install windows but now I am a bit stuffed as in the old days you just bought a widows cd, stuffed it in the computer and off it went.

What do you do now and what do i need to buy? I presume a windows key and then download it onto something that can be transferred to the other computer?

Please answer in simple terms unlike the ones I have googled. Laughing
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Ste
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PostPosted: 18:57 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is there a Windows license key and if so what version is it for?
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GettinBetter
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PostPosted: 19:08 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

1. Download a copy of the version you want, load it to a USB stick
2. Get a key from anywhere
3. Plug in the USB and boot, it'll do it itself.

Win 10 is quite cheap, even free someplaces.
Win 11 has been released recently.
Ubuntu is free.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 19:12 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ste wrote:
Is there a Windows license key and if so what version is it for?


No, nothing. No sticker on the back. I'm presuming I have to buy a widows key.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 19:15 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

GettinBetter wrote:
1. Download a copy of the version you want, load it to a USB stick
2. Get a key from anywhere
3. Plug in the USB and boot, it'll do it itself.

Win 10 is quite cheap, even free someplaces.
Win 11 has been released recently.
Ubuntu is free.


OK, I'll try that. Thanks. I thought there was more to it than that. Thumbs Up
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GettinBetter
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PostPosted: 19:24 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Polarbear wrote:
GettinBetter wrote:
1. Download a copy of the version you want, load it to a USB stick
2. Get a key from anywhere
3. Plug in the USB and boot, it'll do it itself.

Win 10 is quite cheap, even free someplaces.
Win 11 has been released recently.
Ubuntu is free.


OK, I'll try that. Thanks. I thought there was more to it than that. Thumbs Up


Well there could be but you didn't supply enough info for me to expand on. But basically yes, it's that simple, you will have to sit with it and stick in all the info it asks for but .... not difficult.
Don't bother with Win 11 it's processor dependant.
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t121anf
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PostPosted: 20:54 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Might not need a key, a lot of our works laptops self register as Windows Home, we change to it Windows Education though.
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to v or not to v
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PostPosted: 21:13 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

keys are dirt cheap on the bay
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Im-a-Ridah
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PostPosted: 23:23 - 16 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

One option is download a windows USB creator then install windows as "i dont have a key" and use an offline account to limit M$ spying on you...

Then definitely don't ever run a windows crack like this one which activates windows, and denies Bill Gates revenue, because that would be a breach of the EULA (basically void anyway) and also very naughty and such.
https://www.official-kmspico.com/

to v or not to v wrote:
keys are dirt cheap on the bay


Mostly been taken down now sadly. They are volum licence keys.
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 13:15 - 17 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Assuming you already have another Windows PC available (or borrow a friend's) grab a USB memory stick, 8GB should be more than enough, and go here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Skip past the "upgrade" button and go for "Download tool now." Run the tool and point it at your stick. Once done plug the stick into the laptop and power up.

Hopefully at this point the installer should start but if not you might need to get into the BIOS or look for a boot menu key to manually point the laptop at the USB memory stick.

BTW you don't need to buy a Windows 10 licence or even activate it. Windows just disables some convenience features and annoys you with a "please activate! bill's down to his last trillion..." banner in the corner but otherwise works fine.
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xX-Alex-Xx
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PostPosted: 14:01 - 17 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

A windows key can be got on eBay for a few quid. Just note those ones will only work on a fresh install so get it before you do the install.
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doggone
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PostPosted: 14:07 - 17 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy-X wrote:
Assuming you already have another Windows PC available (or borrow a friend's) grab a USB memory stick, 8GB should be more than enough, and go here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Skip past the "upgrade" button and go for "Download tool now." Run the tool and point it at your stick. Once done plug the stick into the laptop and power up.

Hopefully at this point the installer should start but if not you might need to get into the BIOS or look for a boot menu key to manually point the laptop at the USB memory stick.

BTW you don't need to buy a Windows 10 licence or even activate it. Windows just disables some convenience features and annoys you with a "please activate! bill's down to his last trillion..." banner in the corner but otherwise works fine.

Would this work though, how is it connecting to internet, is ethernet usable with no operating system?
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Ste
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PostPosted: 14:53 - 17 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

You need to use a working computer with an operating system to download the tool and to make the USB stick.
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thx1138
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PostPosted: 12:20 - 18 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

GettinBetter wrote:
1. Download a copy of the version you want, load it to a USB stick
2. Get a key from anywhere
3. Plug in the USB and boot, it'll do it itself.

Win 10 is quite cheap, even free someplaces.
Win 11 has been released recently.
Ubuntu is free.


i think polar bear would struggle with Ubuntu
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 12:58 - 18 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

thx1138 wrote:
GettinBetter wrote:
1. Download a copy of the version you want, load it to a USB stick
2. Get a key from anywhere
3. Plug in the USB and boot, it'll do it itself.

Win 10 is quite cheap, even free someplaces.
Win 11 has been released recently.
Ubuntu is free.


i think polar bear would struggle with Ubuntu


Elementary OS is a nice curated distro, very similar to Mac OS.
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GettinBetter
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PostPosted: 20:31 - 18 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy-X wrote:
....
Elementary OS is a nice curated distro, very similar to Mac OS.


Agreed.

I stuck the latest version of Ubuntu on my dual boot, very smooth install. I set everything up including connection to the internet. I was quitely impressed.

So stuck Thunderbird on, and the office basics from Open Office.
You have to accept windows progs done work unless you emulate a windows environment with wine, and even then not all progs work. But for most progs there are Linux equivalents, usually free but not always.

If you're just surfing, emailing, with office docs thrown in, you're laughing, it's all free. even MS Office supports Open Office docs nowdays, never thought I'd ever see that.
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UncleFester
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PostPosted: 20:51 - 18 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Get a win 10 iso
A 8gb usb stick
Download Rufus (https://rufus.ie/en/ )usb boot creator

Use Rufus to write out a bookable usb stick

Set pc to boot from it and off you go.

If i still lived over MK way i'd have done it for you and activated it - it's literally half an hours work as long as you have an SSD in there. If not and this is a keeper it's worth buying a cheap one and fitting it.
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 00:57 - 19 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

No sure but think Blanco is a paid or pro version of Dban?

I'm sure Polarbear would get a full version of winders from a guy in the pub for a 'drink'

I'd want to know the spec of the lappy first though
if its not too old you'll probly run win 10 OK
If its low spec, stick linux mint or ubuntu on it

if you tell us the make model we might get an idea
for example
One of my lappys is a Sony Vaio with i5 430M 2 core 2.27 GHZ cpu and 8GB RAM plus SSD that works pretty well for general use.
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 11:20 - 19 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

WD Forte wrote:
No sure but think Blanco is a paid or pro version of Dban?

I'm sure Polarbear would get a full version of winders from a guy in the pub for a 'drink'

I'd want to know the spec of the lappy first though
if its not too old you'll probly run win 10 OK
If its low spec, stick linux mint or ubuntu on it

if you tell us the make model we might get an idea
for example
One of my lappys is a Sony Vaio with i5 430M 2 core 2.27 GHZ cpu and 8GB RAM plus SSD that works pretty well for general use.


Thanks for all the info. It really has to be windows for a bunch of reasons, the main one being if it all works OK it's going to my grand daughter for school stuff to replace the useless thing that acts like a big phone she is using now.

It's absolutly identical to link below, same seller as well. They must have been given a job lot. It should be arriving tomorrow so then I can play. DELL Latitude E6430 14" Intel i5-3340 @2.70GHz 256GB SSD 8 GB Ram, Laptop. I cost me £42 plus postage, pennies so it's a bit of fun for computer illiterate me.

Briefly function tested. Prior to erasure the item successfully booted to the operating system. We cannot guarantee the life of the battery. NO OPERATING SYSTEM INSTALLED OR PROVIDED – THIS ITEM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT INSTALLING THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE (Windows or Apple based software depending on item). It is the customer’s responsibility to purchase and install this software. Hard drive has been professionally erased with BLANCCO software - report included (see images). The hard drive may require initialising as part of the installation process. BATTERY CAPACITY IS AT 44% Cosmetic Condition: Has slight marks present from previous use. Keyboard is a bit sticky and dirty, would benefit with a clean.”
Type: Notebook/Laptop Screen Size: 14 in
Brand: Dell SSD Capacity: 256 GB
Model: Dell Latitude E6430 Storage Type: SSD (Solid State Drive)
Colour: Black RAM Size: 8 GB
Processor Speed: 2.70 GHz Processor: Intel Core i5 3rd Gen.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384445158585?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
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xX-Alex-Xx
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PostPosted: 11:29 - 19 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
BATTERY CAPACITY IS AT 44%


Anything less than 80% is considered dead these days. That laptop will need to be on power ALL of the time until you replace the battery. Looks like aftermarket ones are only about 40 quid though.
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UncleFester
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PostPosted: 11:30 - 19 Oct 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

£43???

Bargain. They're a bit of a brick but they stand up to knocks and bangs well.

Be spot on that with Win10.

At that price it'd be worth a new backlit keyboard and a battery although if running off the mains it really won't care.
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