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Resolved Question

Dell laptop with probably illegal software

Jul 18, 2017 8:20PM PDT

I was given a Dell Inspiron Laptop supposedly running Windows 7 and upon startup it seemed to be working fine but where the desktop should appear is simply a blank screen with no dock or windows 7 to be seen, only a circle which leads to a program written in Chinese, and only that. McAfee will pop and claim the computer is at risk and the program will run fine but that is all. I've attempted pressing F8 on startup but nothing will happen and I'm no expert concerning computers. I'm pretty sure it's running something illegal so is there something I can do to reset it or is there no other option than to go buy the original software? Thank you!

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mvri6 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Since you probably have a good idea...
Jul 18, 2017 9:54PM PDT

...of why it may be illegal software, which means it would probably also be virused/trojan. Until you can get legal software, or as Kees suggested have a recover partition (which may also be compromised software) I'd suggest using a LIVE DVD or LIVE USB Linux distribution. Plenty of youtube videos you can look at about them. Ubuntu MATE, Kubuntu, Mint MATE & Cinnamon, Zorin, Elementary OS, all very popular versions.

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Answer
Laptop
Jul 18, 2017 9:23PM PDT

That machine may have a factory restore partition.

Using the model number and google see if you can locate the manual.

Do some reading about how to access it, probably some 'f' key on boot.

If that turns out to be a bust contact Dell and see if you can buy the factory restore media.