Solved Stolen laptop has been recovered and formatted.

kevsmilla

New Member
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My laptop was stolen 2 months ago and now i recovered it. The laptop's hardware is in good condition. But the problem is, it was formatted. The laptop came with a windows 8 preinstalled OS (OEM), now it is using a windows 8 pro (unlicensed). Is there any way of formatting it again and have the OEM license back? (the laptop didn't came with an installation disk or what you call a backup for factory restore disk). I have checked the system information and noticed that the bios mode was now on legacy and secure boot state is now unsupported.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel core i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Nvidia GEFORECE GT 635M shared with intelHD 4000
Is there any way of formatting it again and have the OEM license back?
yes ,but you will need to contact your laptop maker to acquire the recovery disk from them to reinstall if you failed to make the disk when you bought the laptop .
,did you check to see if maybe the person who formatted it might have left the recovery partition ,try hitting F8 or F12 to bring up a boot options screen ,and see if it gives the option to boot to the recovery partition
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Sadly, i have contacted the manufacturer of the laptop but until now, there is no reply from them. there is no other partition left on my drive. just the c and a system reserved where i suppose there is no recovery partition left. can i use the windows 8 installer disk and use the option "repair computer"?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel core i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Nvidia GEFORECE GT 635M shared with intelHD 4000
Is there any way of formatting it again and have the OEM license back?
yes ,but you will need to contact your laptop maker to acquire the recovery disk from them to reinstall if you failed to make the disk when you bought the laptop .
,did you check to see if maybe the person who formatted it might have left the recovery partition ,try hitting F8 or F12 to bring up a boot options screen ,and see if it gives the option to boot to the recovery partition
:ditto:
You could also check the number of partitions for the drive. If you have only two, the chances are that the OEM partition with the recovery option had been wiped. If you have three partition, then caperjack's suggested method would probably work.

You can reset the BIOS to activate the EUFI and secure boot options, prior to reinstalling W8...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
Oopsy, sorry for the cross-post...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
reseting the BIOS? you mean a hard reset?


Thanks for all the replies. Hope that the manufacturer sent some some disks to solve my problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel core i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Nvidia GEFORECE GT 635M shared with intelHD 4000

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
You should always have recovery disks or the pain install media available to you. In this case, look for a phone number and call Asus, asking how you would obtain that. Assuming you have a license sticker, can you borrow a disc from a friend in the meantime?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
reseting the BIOS? you mean a hard reset?


Thanks for all the replies. Hope that the manufacturer sent some some disks to solve my problem.
No, not hard rest, just changing the BIOS configuration to enable the EUFI, instead of the legacy BIOS, and the secure boot option. I am not familiar with Asus laptop BIOS setting, but these are standard options nowadays....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude
    CPU
    Intel i5-3350P (3.1 GHz)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    16 GBs
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7850
    Sound Card
    Built-in to MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x 24" Dell
    Screen Resolution
    3,840 x1,200
    Hard Drives
    128 GBs, OCZ Vertex, SATA III SSD
    256 GBs Intel SATA III SSD
    3 x Seagate 1 TBs HDD
    PSU
    Antec 750W
    Case
    Antec P185
    Internet Speed
    50 Gb/s
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox22.0
    Antivirus
    Vipre
    Other Info
    Works, most of the times unless Microsoft patches decide otherwise...
If you can find an install disk that is the same version you had, you can use your Key to activate it. You will have to do a Phone Activation, there will be a number to call on the screen during the process.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
If the versions match up, you shouldn't have to do a phone activation at all. Media is just media, and not tied to a key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
That would only be true if she had a system with a Core version. A lot of systems have that, but a lot do not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I've used my TechNet disc to install several different types of Windows 8 licenses, and all the valid key types have activated online. As far as I know, nothing has changed in the process from Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
Thats why I say then can use their original key, it should activate. But if it does not, they can do a Phone activation and they'll be given a new key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
i do have the ISO for windows 8 from msdn. but the problem is if the bios can still provide the serial key for the windows 8 since the bios mode was alter into legacy mode. i tried to enable eufi but on the step of how to enable it, the option under the "advance option" the "uefi firmware settings" is not there anymore.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel core i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Nvidia GEFORECE GT 635M shared with intelHD 4000
Do you have the Boot Menu enabled so you can press F-12 at startup ?

SUNP0001.JPG

If so you should get this after pressing F-12 at startup:

SUNP0012.JPG

You should boot into UEFI.

Maybe laptops are different from PCs & it won't work.

Also, have you tried to reset it to factory settings ?

Screenshot (62).png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
David, the bios wont let me change the boot menu. Before it was stolen i am able to add a boot device but now i can't add a boot device. and i cannot see anymore the boot menu option. I made a multiboot flashdrive that consist the windows 8 that i downloaded, i cannot boot to that device. i was trying to do this because i have done this before and i was successful in doing the format but now i have difficulty beacues of this.

And as to formatting it to factory defaults, i can't do it anymore because the one who formatted it change the whole system. The BIOS mode was changed from UEFI to Legacy, and performed a clean install of windows 8 pro (unlicensed).

I was trying to change the BIOS mode to UEFI but the "UEFI firmware settings" tile is not shown at the advance option in advance startup option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel core i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB Nvidia GEFORECE GT 635M shared with intelHD 4000
Sadly, i have contacted the manufacturer of the laptop but until now, there is no reply from them. there is no other partition left on my drive. just the c and a system reserved where i suppose there is no recovery partition left. can i use the windows 8 installer disk and use the option "repair computer"?

Hi there.

If you've got a Police crime incident number (or equivalent -- however the Police work In your country presumably there is some "Incident number" quoted) then the manufacturer should be able to give you a new copy.

Another possibility is to write a letter to Ms saying you are an "Impecunious student" who has recovered his stolen laptop ...etc ---give the Police crime number out and suggest that as Ms is a really "Friendly / sympathetic and caring company" can they help you out by supplying you with a replacement copy of Windows.

You never know --you might just get lucky !!!! the worst that can happen is they will just say no - but you might be lucky. You will need a Police incident number though.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
If Windows 8 was preinstalled at the factory the laptop will have an embedded key. Official unmodified install media will read that key and install the matching version. If it came with 8 core, 8 core will be installed and you won't be prompted to enter a product code. Windows will then activate online automatically the first chance it gets. I've done it on my laptop using my TechNet ISO.

If you use one of those modified "all in one" ISO's all bets are off. It may ask you for a code, I don't know, I've never used one. You won't find your code on a COA sticker either. There isn't one if the PC has an embedded code. My laptop has an ASUS Windows 8 sticker on it but there is no product code listed, anywhere.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Is there some sort of bios password setting ?

You might need to set a password ( easy one you can rememeber) Save and exit. Then see if you access more options.


i do have the ISO for windows 8 from msdn. but the problem is if the bios can still provide the serial key for the windows 8 since the bios mode was alter into legacy mode. i tried to enable eufi but on the step of how to enable it, the option under the "advance option" the "uefi firmware settings" is not there anymore.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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