How do I reset a work laptop ?

[matt_london1]

I've been given an oldish (3 years) Dell laptop by my work as all ours have been updated and they are too old for our company to do anything usefull with.
I want to give it to my sister but at the moment its got work log-ins and restrictions on it, ie web disabled etc.
How do I go about getting it totally wiped so I can load a new version of windows on to it?

[Buenchico]

You've not stated what version of Windows the laptop has or what type of drives it's got. Basically you need to boot the laptop from a Startup disk, format the drive, then install Windows.

So first you need a startup disk. If the laptop has a floppy drive, that's probably the easiest way to make one (unless, of course, you've already got one). Put a blank floppy in the drive. Go to Add/Remove Programs. Click the Startup Disk tab and then 'Create Disk'.

Hopefully, your laptop is set to boot from a floppy ahead of the hard drive. Leave the boot floppy in the drive and restart the computer. With a bit of luck, you should see a screen asking you how you'd like to boot the laptop. Select 'minimal boot'. Wait until the prompt and then type
C:format
Hit 'Enter' and confirm that you definitely want to format the hard drive.

When it's finished, restart the laptop but this time select 'start with CD support'. Watch the screen to check which drive letter has been allocated to the CD drive. (It will probably be E, not D). Type
E:setup
Hit 'Enter'
Follow the prompts and Windows will install itself.
(Since your mouse driver won't be installed at this stage, selecting options is achieved by using the arrow keys and 'Enter')
If, when Windows has been installed, you find that there's no sound or you can't change the screen resolution, you might have to download and install the relevant drivers.

Going back to the step where you needed to boot from the floppy, if this doesn't happen (and Windows boots instead), you'll need to change the order that the laptop looks for boot devices. Restart the laptop and press the relevant key to enter the BIOS. (Usually Delete or F2). Then locate the boot order option and set it to use the floppy drive first.

If your laptop hasn't got a floppy drive, you can do the same thing using a boot disk on CD. Read the

[Buenchico]

. . Window help file for instructions on how to create one.

Chris

PS: Additional thoughts - Sometimes simply restarting your PC with the Windows disk in the CD drive will work to get to laptop to boot without entering Windows. That's meant to work with most versions of Windows (as long as the BIOS is set to use the CD drive ahead of the hard drive) but it never seems to work for me. (i.e. you might be able to skip the bit about creating a boot disk and go straight to formatting the hard drive)

[vehelpfulguy]

I have great admiration for your appends Buenchico, but I think your reply to this question may have frightened him off.

Lets start from basics.

To wipe it clean and reinstall Windows you need two things:

You need a genuine copy of Windows on CD. You dont make it clear if you already have this.

You need the DRIVERS for the laptop. Drivers are software files that you install AFTER you have installed Windows, to get the various components working in a laptop (graphics, sound etc).

You usually get the drivers from a companies web site, but they are also sometimes shipped with the laptop on a CD called maybe resources CD or drivers CD.

If you can verify you have both of them we can carry on, but without them you are not going to get very far.

[vehelpfulguy]

By the way.

Can I just say that I am AMAZED your company has not wiped the hard drives on these laptops BEFORE giving them to their employees.

Do they realise how much crime is possible with the contents of a laptop hard disk.

These hard disks may contain personal data, passwords, business information, bank details and all sorts of other sensitive information.

Old article but still valid:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3623194. stm

I would have a word with your IT department before they give away these laptops.

[vehelpfulguy]

More up to date article about identity theft with data on old computers

http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content& task=view&id=39928&Itemid=29

And remember matt_london1, if the laptops are from YOUR company it may be YOUR personal information that is left on one of these laptops that could then be stolen.

[ACtheTROLL]

Bu

where does the windows install disc come from?
If it's a corporate ... they'll have a volume license.

possibly there will be a folder - c:\windows\options\cabs
containing all the files ... but no guarantee.

given the circumstances .... and assuming there ISN'T a CD .... I'd simply reset the machine ;-)
as in ... sign on as administrator
goto control panel | administrative tools | computer management | local users and groups

and just delete all the user accounts (except administrator, all users, Default User, LocalService & NetworkService!)
create your sister an account ... and bob's your auntie.

still as admin.... go to C:\Documents and Settings
and delete any user folders.

if it's win98 ... just delete the documents.....
that way ...
any software (office? +)
will still be there .... any specialist stuff can just be uninstalled.

alternatively ... take the machine back to your IT department and confess that you are an international spy and will use the machine for your own nefarious means !??

I'm sure if you give them all the details ... you could ensure they stop releasing old kit to your workmates .... and you will become the most popular person in the company ;-)

[matt_london1]

Hi, thanks for your replies.
I don't have any cd's, just the laptop.
Not sure what spec it is either so don't know if it is high enough to run vista....

[ACtheTROLL]

don't get fancy .... don't be tempted to start throwing money away - it's a freebie ...
clear out anything that is in the way ... learn to live with the rest.
If it works ..... don't create problems .... just use it.

add remove programs is your friend (remember ... once it's gone it's gone for good.)

download CCCleaner and get rid of all the detritus that will have accumulated.
http://www.ccleaner.com/download

and enjoy letting your sis have a useful piece of kit