Refurbished HP laptop

Jacee · 18 Sep 2019

I bought a Windows10 home, refurbished/renewed HP lap top that looks like it might have been used in a classroom. I have found a phone# and it says "Data" files are stored in Cloud. Most everything else looks clean going through it. What should i do about that?... I disabled Cloud because I don't want it while setting this up.

I'm sure I can delete the phone#, but I haven't tried to access the Cloud Data.

I looked for new updates and tried to find -- choose my method of downloading and installing, but was met with a red "the Policy Administrator" controls (such and such). What the heck!!? Somehow I don't think this computer was totally wiped and clean install.

I'll keep working with it, but any input would be appreciated

thomaseg1 · 18 Sep 2019

With any used computer (desktop or laptop) the first thing to to do is a clean install.
This will clear any Modifications ,tweaks, and many problems.
Kind of like a used car, you will inherit problems that come from the previous owner.
While it may not show in the short term it will in the long term.

- - - Updated - - -

A clean install will get rid of any personal info that may be hidden on the computer.

zbook · 19 Sep 2019

Update the specs in the "My Computer" section:

System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)

Find a flash drive that you can format (> or = 4 GB)

Create a bootable HP UEFI diagnostics UEFI:
https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/.../pc-diags.html

Test the hardware, perform a clean install as per thomaseg1, and install new drivers from the HP website.
If available you can use the HP software assistant.

Before the clean install run: (extra layer of protection)
Activation troubleshooting

Bree · 19 Sep 2019

Jacee said:

I bought a Windows10 home, refurbished/renewed HP lap top that looks like it might have been used in a classroom. I have found a phone# and it says "Data" files are stored in Cloud. Most everything else looks clean going through it. What should i do about that?...Somehow I don't think this computer was totally wiped and clean install.

I tend to get all my laptops that way, used machines from a reputable chain of pawn brokers. While they tend to do a good job of 'sanitising' the machines, they never reinstall. Whatever was on the machine just gets cleaned up. This can lead to some 'odd' results.

I remember one machine that had 8GB RAM came with 32-bit Windows 7 installed, an OS incapable of using more than the first 4GB. It also had a Windows 8.1 key embedded in its firmware, so a clean install of Windows 10 (which activated from the W8 key) was my solution. You can see what key (if any) you have in your bios with ShowKeyPlus.

ShowKeyPlus

If this HP has an HP pre-installed Windows 10 then you have the choice of doing a reset or a clean install. A reset will retain all the HP drivers and utilities. If it has a key for Windows 8 in the bios then W10 wasn't pre-installed by HP. A clean install would be preferable. In that case as a precaution you should first back up the drivers in case Windows cannot find suitable ones.

Reset Windows 10

Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 10

More than that we cannot say until you provide the specs as zbook asks.

Samuria · 19 Sep 2019

There are some good hp bargains I got a i7 8 gig ram fingerprint read etc £112 boots in 15 seconds if it's showing a digital licence then a clean install of latest windows is the quickest way to fix problems

Jacee · 19 Sep 2019

Thank you!