The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    How to clean a used laptop.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by cherie0608, Apr 17, 2009.

  1. cherie0608

    cherie0608 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I just bought a used HP Pavillion DV2000. I've been a mac user for 5 years now and I'm just lost with Windows. It's preety funny when I was staring at the control panel. I deleted some apps that I don't need but I just want to completely clean it like a bought it new. No crap fron then old owner. Help! Thanks. :)
     
    cherie0608, Apr 17, 2009
    #1
  2. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    65
    Messages:
    734
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    got windows cd?
    i recommend formatting it and reinstalling windows! for the most basic part at least.
    or you can try the restore cd's that came with the laptop. those are always easy.
     
    pkim1230, Apr 17, 2009
    #2
  3. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

    Reputations:
    1,806
    Messages:
    5,921
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I agree with pkim. IMO the only option when given a computer is a fresh load.
    ...who knows what junk they put on there.
     
    Hep!, Apr 17, 2009
    #3
  4. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,706
    Messages:
    1,681
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I'd reformat the HDD in the notebook as well, but only after I ran it through DBAN for a couple hours. As Hep said, there's no telling what the hell is on that hard drive, even after a reformat.
     
    garetjax, Apr 17, 2009
    #4
  5. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

    Reputations:
    4,018
    Messages:
    6,046
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    206
    You might want to also run a diagnostic on the hard drive to ensure that it will run reliably in the near future.
     
    Bog, Apr 17, 2009
    #5
  6. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    65
    Messages:
    734
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    some of these replies might be a little difficult for her to understand though.
     
    pkim1230, Apr 17, 2009
    #6
  7. cherie0608

    cherie0608 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I know how to reformat, everything's coming back now. My Windows amnesia is slowly going away. haha ANYWAY, I don't have the start up disk. The laptop has Vista Home premium with it. My dad has a copy but it's the upgrade disk. Will that work? Oh and about the DBAN, do you think it's better to do that? Thanks a lot!
     
    cherie0608, Apr 17, 2009
    #7
  8. cherie0608

    cherie0608 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Oh the laptop's really dirty, the owner didn't even clear his browsing history. What a perv. lol
     
    cherie0608, Apr 17, 2009
    #8
  9. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

    Reputations:
    1,806
    Messages:
    5,921
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    You don't need to DBAN. DBAN is if you have data you don't want other people to see. If you delete all the partitions on the hard drive, then create and format a new partition, you'll be fine - everything will be gone.
    An upgrade disk sadly won't work, but if you know anyone with a Vista OEM disk you can use that and the COA on the bottom of the laptop.
    Worst case, you can buy just the disk for something like $10 from Microsoft.
     
    Hep!, Apr 17, 2009
    #9
  10. cherie0608

    cherie0608 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I need a vista re install disc. Can I download it online?? (silly me) Can't wait for shipping if I order it online. I can only find the recovery disc.
     
    cherie0608, Apr 18, 2009
    #10