Question Dell Inspiron 15 Do I have a paperweight? (Windows reinstall)

[ThePhilster]

Ok, events as they happened,

1. Windows 10 got corrupted.
2. Tried the reload on the recovery petition.
3. Started the recovery process and surprise! It wants a recovery code.

This is supposedly asked for at initial install. Of course, it came installed from Dell, I don't remember ever entering a code. Thinking this was a Microsoft software thing (which it is/isn't?), I wiped the disk and tried again with an install disk, and it still asked for the code. So I got fed up with it and installed Linux, which installed successfully. Well, not as useful as I thought (or just not as familiar with it as I thought.)

I head a rumor that the code is actually installed on a chip on the system board. Is there a way to reset this? Or is the laptop not even recoverable to give to someone in the family with Windows? 🙄

Thanks!

 

[COLGeek]

Have you contacted Dell?

 

[ThePhilster]

Have you contacted Dell?

Yes for a million dollars we'll fix it.... (I exaggerate) .... but out of warranty.

 

[COLGeek]

Are you the original owner of the Dell? Or was this previously owned (particularly an office environment)?

Can you take a picture of the "code" request (upload to a site like imgur.com and then post a link here) so others can see what is being requested?

I ask because I was involved in a similar thread/topic with a Dell owner who had purchased a refurbished Dell that had a similar issue. His only resolution was to contact Dell for support to get what I believe was a "release" code. That system had previously been used in a corporate environment.

 

[ThePhilster]

Are you the original owner of the Dell? Or was this previously owned (particularly an office environment)?

Can you take a picture of the "code" request (upload to a site like imgur.com and then post a link here) so others can see what is being requested?

I ask because I was involved in a similar thread/topic with a Dell owner who had purchased a refurbished Dell that had a similar issue. His only resolution was to contact Dell for support to get what I believe was a "release" code. That system had previously been used in a corporate environment.

I bought it new from Dell a couple years ago. Since I installed Linux, the error wasn't produced because I wasn't installing Windows. I just booted from the windows install disk and am told neither of the partitions can be installed to because they're not formatted properly (Linux formatted). Clicking format on the primary partition 2 says it's of an unrecognized type (guessing Linux)?

The primary 0 I'm reasonably sure is the Windows recovery partition. I click format on the primary and get no response. So I can't get far enough into the install to get the message. And I think I'll only be deleting that partition as a last resort.

Maybe I'll call Dell and explain again and request a "release" code. They have my purchase record.

Thanks!

 

[COLGeek]

If me, I would get Gparted (live version) and use it to remove all existing partitions.

GParted -- A free application for graphically managing disk device partitions

gparted.org

Then I would get the latest version of Windows, directly from MS and then try installing Windows.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

 

[ThePhilster]

If me, I would get Gparted (live version) and use it to remove all existing partitions.

GParted -- A free application for graphically managing disk device partitions

gparted.org

Then I would get the latest version of Windows, directly from MS and then try installing Windows.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Well if the code is on a chip on the system board (which it seems it is), it still won't install without the code. I'm trying not to do anything more drastic until I use up the other options. I'll remember that if I get the chip issue fixed.

But thanks!

 

[COLGeek]

I have never personally seen what you did and I am not aware of any "chip", particularly for consumer purchased systems. Since you could install Linux, it would seem you can also install Windows,

Not, what I suggested is not using the recovery partition at all. When I get a new laptop, I wipe the OS (and all the pre-loaded stuff) and perform a full, clean install of Windows. No bloat and configured the way I want it.

I've had several Dells and performed this with all with nary a code in the mix.

I would suggest following this guide and to use Win 11 (if the system is only a couple years old).

How To - Windows 11 clean install tutorial

Windows 11 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows 11, version 23H2 or newer but can be equally applied to earlier versions which may have some basic differences in the screens you see but will largely remain similar in...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[ThePhilster]

According to the rumor, for a time, MS offered a way to secure the system at install (an option). A code you could make up to keep the laptop from being used, even trying to reinstall. They did that by putting it on the system board on a chip. I have heard about it from a number of other sources. Some who set it and unlocked it (because they set it) and others that haven't had to yet. It's not a bother until you start to reinstall. Any other os you want to install will install fine.

But that's one of the last chance options. I'm not buying another Windows system and license for a system if it doesn't unlock. But, I can try the start from scratch method deleting all the partitions and starting over. I have a Windows 10 disk that will at least let me see if it will start installing. Then your idea sounds good.

All else fails, I'll sell the laptop with Linux cheap. 😛

Thanks again!