Computer Help and Support

zooks

(308 posts) Tue Feb 18, 2020, 06:40 PM Feb 2020

Question about reinstalling Windows 7 on an Asian HP laptop

Awhile ago I bought a used laptop with software from a neighbour moving back to Korea. I have since lost the software. My question is whether I can pay someone who has Windows 7 software (English) to do a re-install when the laptop is Asian. (the plug is Asian but I have an adapter and the language is Korean.

Totally computer challenged person so any help is much appreciated

9 replies

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Question about reinstalling Windows 7 on an Asian HP laptop (Original Post) zooks Feb 2020 OP

computers speak 0 and 1 nt msongs Feb 2020 #1

Thanks for the reply. So if someone doesnt know Korean but zooks Feb 2020 #4

Can you change the language MaineBlueBear Feb 2020 #2

I don't have the password so is it possible to get to the settings menu? zooks Feb 2020 #3

Not sure of the specifics MaineBlueBear Feb 2020 #5

Thx for the reply. From research I've done the best way to bypass passwords is to zooks Feb 2020 #6

A couple of things... The Conductor Feb 2020 #8

Thanks zooks Feb 2020 #9

Do you know any computer techs? LuvLoogie Feb 2020 #7

msongs

(70,091 posts)

1. computers speak 0 and 1 nt

Reply to zooks (Original post)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 06:42 PM

Feb 2020

zooks

(308 posts)

4. Thanks for the reply. So if someone doesnt know Korean but

Reply to msongs (Reply #1)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 06:58 PM

Feb 2020

knows how to install software they won't have a problem?

MaineBlueBear

(80 posts)

2. Can you change the language

Reply to zooks (Original post)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 06:49 PM

Feb 2020

from the setting menu? When setting up the computer the user chooses the language (and sets the time zone; periferals; etc.)

That's where I'd start.

zooks

(308 posts)

3. I don't have the password so is it possible to get to the settings menu?

Reply to MaineBlueBear (Reply #2)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 06:55 PM

Feb 2020

MaineBlueBear

(80 posts)

5. Not sure of the specifics

Reply to zooks (Reply #3)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 07:12 PM

Feb 2020

But it can be done. Google: how to bypass windows 7 password.

Is this a high performance laptop? If not I wouldn't recommend using an unsupported and obsolete OS. You're better off getting a new rig. A basic non-gaming laptop can be bought for less than the cost of windows 10. Under $100

zooks

(308 posts)

6. Thx for the reply. From research I've done the best way to bypass passwords is to

Reply to MaineBlueBear (Reply #5)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 07:28 PM

Feb 2020

do a complete re-install. Money is tight and I want this for my elderly mom to watch dvds and read a few news sites

The Conductor

(188 posts)

8. A couple of things...

Reply to zooks (Reply #6)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 08:00 PM

Feb 2020

Check if the laptop hardware will support Windows 10. You can get a copy of that directly from Microsoft as a free download. If you have a valid key (check the Genuine Windows sticker), you can upgrade. While the free upgrade has technically expired, I can tell you it still works just fine. I just upgraded a Win 7 system that way last month, and it was very straightforward. Then you'd have a modern operating system that has current updates to keep the problems to a minimum.

The language change shouldn't be a show stopper in this, either.

zooks

(308 posts)

9. Thanks

Reply to The Conductor (Reply #8)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 08:14 PM

Feb 2020

LuvLoogie

(7,520 posts)

7. Do you know any computer techs?

Reply to zooks (Original post)

Tue Feb 18, 2020, 07:59 PM

Feb 2020

Reinstalling/clean installing an OS isn't any easier than using Hiren's on a boot able USB flash drive. You'd want to run the NT password bypass/reset.

Don't run windows 7 unless you know how to tinker with the OS.

Go to New Egg and get your Mom a refurbished Windows 10 PC. It will probably come with a full sized keyboard and mouse. Also get her a monitor at least 23"

A tech would charge you at least 100 to unlock or reinstall. The only worth to that would be is if you have a valid OEM Windows activated key. You could then still get a free upgrade to windows 10. But you're going to want at least 8 GB of RAM, too. So you have to figure the cost of upgrading that too.

Spring for some decent external speakers too. Logitech has a nice set for about 25 bucks on Amazon. About 50 bucks if you want to include a subwoofer.

Most laptop sound sucks for watching movies. Get her a Disney plus account. Don't mess with DVDs.

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