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Question

Reformatting an encrypted hard drive to install Windows.

Mar 9, 2017 7:12AM PST

I recently bought a laptop at a sale and I guess it had data locker or some kind of encryption software on it. The guy said just reformat and reinstall windows. Well, I downloaded an emergency boot CD and supposedly wiped and reformatted the hard drive. I tried to put a windows boot installation CD and it will not boot up, only the emergency boot CD will boot up correctly. I guess to simplify things, what tool or app could I get to boot up, correctly reformat my hard drive and allow me to install a bootable windows installation?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: boot
Mar 9, 2017 7:20AM PST

Windows XP was the latest Windows that came on CD. Later versions are on DVD. Might make a difference. It's an authentic Microsoft made disc that boots in other PC's?

Next try: boot from a USB you make with the MEDIA CREATION TOOL (google that or google DOWNLOAD WINDOWS 10). Or any Windows 7 or 8.1 , whatever you have a license key for,

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Re:
Mar 9, 2017 7:25AM PST

Thank you so very much for your quick reply!! I'm sorry, I meant DVD. I will try that this evening!! Thank you.

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Re: DVD
Mar 9, 2017 7:32AM PST

With "difference" I meant that it's possible that an older drive does read a cd and doesn't read a dvd. That's a different laser used. If you happen to have an external dvd-drive, you could try that also.