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    Random Copy of Windows 7 Won't Go Away

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Dangerous_Dave, Mar 29, 2015.

  1. Dangerous_Dave

    Dangerous_Dave Notebook Guru

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    Hi all,

    Just received a laptop from ebay, but every time I start it, it gives me the option of booting either of two copies of Windows 7. One of these works and the other is broken. I'd like to get rid of the broken one. The hard drive was partitioned into 3 - one described as a 'system' partition, one 'boot' (IIRC) and another one. I merged the two non-system partitions together using partitioning software and - hey presto! The broken Windows 7 was still there. Does anybody know how I could get rid of it?

    Cheers
     
    Dangerous_Dave, Mar 29, 2015
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  2. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    The Boot Manager is a static list and can be manipulated though msconfig.exe > Boot.
     
    S.SubZero, Mar 29, 2015
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  3. Dangerous_Dave

    Dangerous_Dave Notebook Guru

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    Thanks - that worked.

    One other thing - I've been trying to change the machine from it's original Polish settings. I've changed all the Region and Language settings to UK, and the display (after an update) is now talking to me mostly in English, but something on the machine still thinks it's Polish - e.g. when Windows first starts it says PL next to the keyboard symbol on the welcome screen, and some messages still pop up with Polish bits. Do you know how I get rid of that?

    Cheers
     
    Dangerous_Dave, Mar 30, 2015
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  4. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    Without knowing exactly what you did, I can't give advice that won't necessarily repeat what you already did.

    Check under Control Panel > Language.
     
    S.SubZero, Mar 30, 2015
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  5. Dangerous_Dave

    Dangerous_Dave Notebook Guru

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    For anyone else coming to this thread - it was tucked away in the Region and Language part of the Control Panel, on a tab called 'Administrator' or some such. I had to copy language settings to the Welcome screen and for new users there (just clicking a couple of buttons).

    Cheers for the help @ S.SubZero
     
    Dangerous_Dave, Mar 31, 2015
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  6. SteveT

    SteveT Notebook Enthusiast

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    If I were you, I would use a free software to find the product key of the windows 7. I would than full reformat the HDD and reinstall the windows 7 with the product key. This will save you lot of headache and possible hidden virus (we never really know who's the seller).
     
    SteveT, Apr 2, 2015
    #6