Can I install my own Windows CD on my laptop?

[joshw10]

I bought a laptop (HP) and of course it comes loaded with junk. The restore CD will have this same junk on it.

I already own a copy of Windows XP Home which is what comes loaded on the laptop. Underneath the laptop is the Microsoft authenticity sticker with a key on it.

Can I use my regular XP CD, and enter the key on the bottom of the laptop and will it work for it? Or does HP get their own special keys made and I'm forced to use the restore CD.

If I already paid for another copy of XP with the laptop I might as well use it legit if possible...

 

[Aluvus]

Is your copy of XP a Retail or OEM version? This is a new laptop?

 

[joshw10]

It's a retail copy of XP and it's a new laptop

 

[Brainonska511]

You could do it, but you'll have to use the retail copy's key. Just make sure you download the required drivers and burn them to a cd before reinstalling Windows.

 

[fbrdphreak]

You can install any copy of XP as long as it can be activated. To use your existing XP license, use the guide listed here to create your own OEM XP CD:
http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_Install/index.htm

That guide is for a Thinkpad, but the idea is the same. Basically copy the the i386 directory from your hard drive (or maybe your recovery disc if its not there), use the recommended downloads + programs to create your own XP CD, then when putting in the serial number you need to use the XP OEM serial:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/oempreac.mspx

 

[joshw10]

Update....it is actually Windows Media Center 2005 that is on the laptop, and that is the product key on the sticker underneath the laptop.

I downloaded copies of the Media Center 2005 CDs, burned them, but the key underneath the laptop comes up as invalid. Where do I go from here?

Does the method you mention above at 4saad.com, fbrdphreak, avoid this issue and allow the key on the sticker to work?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I don't think the method will work with Windows MCE.

If you downloaded copies of MCE, they are pirated and will be unreliable at best.

I would suggest purchasing your own standalone copy of XP MCE or other XP flavor.

 

[joshw10]

I'll give it one try using the 4saad.com method and see if it will work, if not I will just live with the stock software & uninstalling all I can until I find a better solution.

It's quite the ethical dilemma, I dont want to buy a standalone copy since I already paid for a license with the laptop and should be able to install it how I want. but I don't want to use a pirated copy either when I really own a valid license

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: joshw10
I'll give it one try using the 4saad.com method and see if it will work, if not I will just live with the stock software & uninstalling all I can until I find a better solution.

It's quite the ethical dilemma, I dont want to buy a standalone copy since I already paid for a license with the laptop and should be able to install it how I want. but I don't want to use a pirated copy either when I really own a valid license

Technically you didn't buy the license itself, you bought a computer that HP purchased a Windows license for and they get to choose what you can do with it.

I've heard rumors of people calling MS and being able to order an XP OEM CD that their COA will work with. Call Microsoft and ask, HP will just tell you to go away.

 

[joshw10]

Actually I did call Microsoft. The call screener recognized my key as a HP OEM and said I would have to pay $35 to speak to Microsoft support, or they could transfer me to HP.

So just for fun I called HP, got India, and was told to use the System Restore DVDs then Add/Remove Programs Control Panel 🙂

By order do you mean like....pay for? or like as a replacement CD

 

[fbrdphreak]

Did you ask Microsoft about ordering a replacement OEM CD?

You might try searching eBay for XP MCE HP OEM CDs. Make sure they are HP tho.

But really I'd just avoid all the hassle and get your own legit copy somehow.

At least now HP offers the actual OS install discs for +$10. Maybe HP can send them to you now that it is an option? You can maybe order a "replacement part" of the OS CDs for one of the newer HP laptops that uses XP MCE?

 

[joshw10]

Actually, I read something like that in a thread on another forum. My notebook was not a built-to-order so there was no way for me to select the +$10 option. Someone posted that there is a $75 fee to get this disc later. That is almost the cost of buying the OS.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I understand that, but you miss my point.

Take one of the newer HP laptops, like a dv5000z, and try to get in touch with some kind of "Spare parts" or "Replacement parts" department. If they're offering the OS discs as a $10 option on the order page, I'd bet it is considered a "part" you can order. It probably won't be $10, but might be cheaper.

Then again, you could just buy an OS and move on.

 

[Blazkowicz]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Take one of the newer HP laptops, like a dv5000z, and try to get in touch with some kind of "Spare parts" or "Replacement parts" department. If they're offering the OS discs as a $10 option on the order page, I'd bet it is considered a "part" you can order. It probably won't be $10, but might be cheaper.

That wouldn't be helpful since the OEM discs would contain the same stuff as the recovery discs including all the unwanted software which would be installed by default.

 

[joshw10]

Originally posted by: Blazkowicz

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Take one of the newer HP laptops, like a dv5000z, and try to get in touch with some kind of "Spare parts" or "Replacement parts" department. If they're offering the OS discs as a $10 option on the order page, I'd bet it is considered a "part" you can order. It probably won't be $10, but might be cheaper.

That wouldn't be helpfulsince the OEM discs would contain the same stuff as the data disc including all the unwanted software which would be installed by default.

I don't know if the +$10 disc is an actual OS disc or not. the HP computer comes with a restore partition and a program you can use to create restore discs. It takes 4 DVDs. Maybe the +$10 option just gives you these discs already made. It probably varies between manufacturers.

I'm doing a restore right now before I make one more attempt. It takes 4 hours to load 16GB of junk onto this thing.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: joshw10

Originally posted by: Blazkowicz

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Take one of the newer HP laptops, like a dv5000z, and try to get in touch with some kind of "Spare parts" or "Replacement parts" department. If they're offering the OS discs as a $10 option on the order page, I'd bet it is considered a "part" you can order. It probably won't be $10, but might be cheaper.

That wouldn't be helpfulsince the OEM discs would contain the same stuff as the data disc including all the unwanted software which would be installed by default.

I don't know if the +$10 disc is an actual OS disc or not. the HP computer comes with a restore partition and a program you can use to create restore discs. It takes 4 DVDs. Maybe the +$10 option just gives you these discs already made. It probably varies between manufacturers.

I'm doing a restore right now before I make one more attempt. It takes 4 hours to load 16GB of junk onto this thing.

The disks are the factory recovery. Any manufacturer will sell you these for your specific model type. They are not base level OS install.

 

[computeerrgghh]

Originally posted by: joshw10
I'll give it one try using the 4saad.com method and see if it will work, if not I will just live with the stock software & uninstalling all I can until I find a better solution.

It's quite the ethical dilemma, I dont want to buy a standalone copy since I already paid for a license with the laptop and should be able to install it how I want. but I don't want to use a pirated copy either when I really own a valid license

I've done the 4saad method. Make sure you open the file that he mentions and take the key down. I didn't but all I did was call MS and explained that I did a fresh install, so they generated a key for me.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: joshw10

Originally posted by: Blazkowicz

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Take one of the newer HP laptops, like a dv5000z, and try to get in touch with some kind of "Spare parts" or "Replacement parts" department. If they're offering the OS discs as a $10 option on the order page, I'd bet it is considered a "part" you can order. It probably won't be $10, but might be cheaper.

That wouldn't be helpfulsince the OEM discs would contain the same stuff as the data disc including all the unwanted software which would be installed by default.

I don't know if the +$10 disc is an actual OS disc or not. the HP computer comes with a restore partition and a program you can use to create restore discs. It takes 4 DVDs. Maybe the +$10 option just gives you these discs already made. It probably varies between manufacturers.

I'm doing a restore right now before I make one more attempt. It takes 4 hours to load 16GB of junk onto this thing.

The indication I got was that those CDs are Operating System install discs. You can burn the recovery discs yourself, I doubt they'd just offer to supply those.

EDIT Here's the description from HP's website:

Here is a solution to restore your Operating System in case of a technical issue. Feel at ease knowing that your Operating System backup solution is right next to you if you need it. Due to the new System Recovery feature located on a separate partition on the hard drive, it is STRONGLY recommended that recovery discs be created to insure that the system can be restored to its original, purchased state. The Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition Backup CD will ONLY install the Operating System.

HP used to bundle operating system discs, not the backup crap, makes sense they brought it back but are charging to reduce their costs. Good move by them IMO

 

[Raduque]

Wow, 16gb of preinstalled crap, not even Dell is that bad (their restore image fits on a single DVD with room to spare). I know HP installs all the support software for their printers and cameras, but wtf else is installed that could possibly take up 16gigs!

For the record, I would just use the add/remove CP after doing a restore and then get a file/settings cleanup tool if it bothers you that much.