Format Sager NP7330 (Clevo W230ST)

I was just hit with a massive spyware/malware bomb in the last few days that has pretty much rendered my current installation of windows useless. I have tried countless applications and scanners to try to clean my pc but by now i feel i lost the war...

I think my only way out of this is to reinstall windows. Only then will I be t peace knowing all my data is safe and my pc will be as speedy as it was before.

I have a couple hiccups before i move on.

1. Windows 8/8.1 iso
I have all the cd/dvds that came with the laptop but unfortunately I dont have a way of accessing the files. I know i can get the drivers online but i have spent whole day looking for a windows 8 iso with no luck. Any idea where i can get one? (legally)

2. Windows 8 product key.
I downloaded "produkey-x64" to find out what my key is. It came back with a number that looks about right. I tried contacting xoticpc but they said the product key is something they cannot provide me since it is saved in my bios. How can i be sure that number is right?

3. Software utilities.
I found the sager website for all the drivers but what i cant seem to find is whatever is in the other cd labeled "utilities". What is in there? What am going to need later that is in that cd that i dont know of?

Other than that is there anything else i might be missing? I really dont want any surprises when i format. Any other info would be super helpful.

Thanks a ton!

Alex

 

For the .iso one should have been included with the computer if you ordered Windows with it. It usually says something like Sager recovery disc. Once thats installed then you can get to the other drivers and utilities on the other discs.

If the key looks correct it probably is, theres no reason to really questions it, and it is also embedded in the BIOS so when Windows activates it will know where to look. Its a good idea to write it down but you may not even need it.

 

just in case check with this software magic jelly Magical Jelly Bean

if it was me, and even though a normal clean reinstall should do the job i would want to make 100% sure and i would do a total clean of the drive using dban Darik's Boot And Nuke | Hard Drive Disk Wipe and Data Clearing dban video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwCCim2V_Jw
over zelous but thats just me.
problem is have you got any important folders with things in that you want to keep. sometimes these can also be infected but thats normally a trojan virus and not mal/spyware.

check the user manual for the order of which to load the drivers as in the wrong order they can cause conflict.

these are the order for most clevo laptops

 

I don't think Sager codes the key into the BIOS, so you may need to get in touch with Sager to inquire about that.

If you have your Windows 8 product key, you may be able to download a .iso from MSDN (if you're a subscriber) or contact Microsoft by phone and request a physical copy (at the expense of the disc and shipping + handling charge). As Hutsady said, you are suppose to receive the Windows install disc if you order the laptop with an OS (as well as a COA with the product key).

 

You should be able to request a DVD from sager if you did not get one.

 

Thank you everyone for all your replies.

I ended up solving the win 8 iso issue using a friends computer (with dvd drive) to create it. As for the drivers, windows update did a pretty good job at installing everything for me. All i had to install by hand was the card reader, sound blaster cinema, the touchpad and the airplane mode utility. Now that i think about it, should i trust windows update did a good job? Or are sager drivers more "powerful"?

Hopefully nothing is missing. I guess I'll notice it when i needed.

Alex

 

You are also best installing the latest intel chipset drivers.

 

When you say "latest" im guessing you dont mean the ones on the sager site which were updated Nov 12th 2013. Where do i get the latest if these arent?

From sager's site:

Windows 8.1 Chipset Drivers for Windows 8.1 32/64 BIT 9.4.0.1027 12-Nov-13 4630 KB

Thanks

Alex

 

That driver should be fine. The drivers on the disc provided are the ones that eventually get put on the wayside as revised drivers are uploaded to Sager's site, while the drivers on the disc at the time of purchase become outdated.

 

As always the latest can be found on the part manufacturers website and in this case intel.com