New Used Computer, But Only Bios...

My son was given a new (used) computer by one of his accounts that was updating all their laptops. It is a Lenovo, with an i7 cpu, so it's better than wheat he currently has. He says he can access the bios, but there doesn't seem to be anything else on it. I am assuming they reformatted the hard drive to wipe it before recycling the machines. What are the steps I need to take to get it working? Years ago I built some XP desk top computers, so I have some knowledge, but go slow, lol.

 

Check the Windows version on the license key, otherwise known as the COA label. Windows 8 and 10 will not have COA labels, the installation media will find the license key if it's coded into the BIOS. However, if it is a VLK (volume license key) it may not be valid for your use. Is there a label on the bottom of the laptop, or under the battery?

 

No, no label. We will have to supply windows I guess.

 

Look up the Lenova model on Lenova website- It will tell you which Windows it had- I f its an i7, it is possbel it s Windows 8 - If that is the case the key may be embedded in the bios, so it is possible that downloading an iso
https://www.majorgeeks.com/news/sto...way_to_finddownload_windows_os_iso_files.html
and installing skipping the key option,when in setup- may result in it automatically registering on -line from the bios.
Worth a try https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/gb/en/
Mine is a core i7, Lenova G70 70, and came with Windows 8, so ..................
If you can get to the bios, it should show the hard drive, if it is still in there,

 

Sorry - With W8/8.1 you may have to put the key in.
Again if you look on the back it will have information as to model, and it is possible that you could get recovery discs to factory,from Lenova- they may still do them. This would save a need to have the key
(factory setup has a special license)

 

You can get a W10 Home license key for as little as ten bucks.

 

You will be surprised- core i7..... would take W10, but if it came with w7/8/8.1/ or W10, but, if Vallandar would find out if he checked the laptop spec at Lenova, or, just googled the mdel on-line.

 

Ok, it is pretty clear that I will have to actually get my hands on this machine before I can continue. He lives a state away and works a lot, so I will wait for him to bring it down and then return to this thread. Thank you all so much for your willingness to help!

 

Just ask him to look on the back of the laptop, and let you know the make and model numbers below the base

 

It's a Lenovo Thinkpad x1 carbon. It has a COA for "windows 7 pro oa for lenovo." You could still get into the BIOS without a hard drive, so I don't know if it has one...

 

As plodr stated in an earlier post, look in the bios to see whether a HD shows up

 

Yes, I will have to wait to get the machine....to be continued. Thank you!