A couple of days ago my sister bought my niece a new laptop. They called me to ask for my opinion and I told them the laptop was too expensive for its specs and they got ripped off; no problem, since the shop has a refund policy if the product has never been used.
The product has NEVER been used but my niece turned on the PC just once before calling me, and since it came with Windows 7, the Windows 7 installer started. She did not install Windows 7 and it's everything as new, the problem is that there is no way to shut down the Windows 7 installer without using the Power button, triggering a hard-shut down and launching the Windows Error Recovery on startup.
Being aware that the store from which they bought the laptop is very strict on refunds and does inspect the computers, I think I can take no chance unless that Windows Error Recovery goes away. But I know no way of shutting down the Windows 7 installer without turning the power off directly. There is no shutdown button and pressing the shutdown button on the keyboard once doesn't do anything.
My sister could not consult me when she bought the laptop and she's not very good with technology, she's a single mother and I don't want her to throw her hard earned money to some greedy people only because Microsoft decided that you can't shutdown the system unless you install Windows 7. Maybe they did it on purpose, I don't know. Anyway, I'd like to know if there's a way to shut down the Windows 7 installer (currently locked on the "Select your language" screen, the installer did not install anything yet) without triggering a Windows Error Recovery.
Best Answer
Have you tried continuing the install and then disagreeing to the EULA when it's offered to you? The response to 'No I don't agree" is usually to shut off.
Keep in mind, if that is a notebook that comes with both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows on it, and you get to choose at first boot (Toshiba does this), and you picked one the first time you turned it on, then they'll know regardless of how you shut it down now.
Why not call the shop and let them know what's going on, instead of trying to scam them? If it's not abused and they can re-box it, they'll probably be fine taking it back as-is -- maybe with a small restocking fee to cover the time/taxes on it.
If the place you purchased it are being jerks, call the notebook manufacturer for help/suggestions.