How to format new laptop???

[GTaudiophile]

Okay, so I've got a new HP DV2100 laptop in front of me, complete with Windows XP Pro recovery CDs (two of them).

Now, as usual I want to FORMAT this biatch to free it from Netscape, AOL, and all of the BS HP installed before sending it to me.

Now, my question is, if I boot from the recovery CD and format through its instructions, will I still get all of the trash software? Will it let me choose whether or not to install the trash? Or will it simply install the OS, drivers, trash, and I'll be back to where I started?

Is there any way I can use these CDs to simply wipe the machine, install the OS, and then install the drivers manually???

I am sick of this idiot-proof BS software. Why not just send me a vanilla Windows CD?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Okay, so I've got a new HP DV2100 laptop in front of me, complete with Windows XP Pro reovery CDs (two of them).

Now, as usual I want to FORMAT this biatch to free to from Netscape, AOL, and all of the BS HP installed before sending it to me.

Now, my question is, if I boot from the recovery CD and format through its instructions, will I still get all of the trash software? Will it let me choose whether or not to install the trash? Or will it simply install the OS, drivers, trash, and I'll be back to where I started?

Usually you'll be back where you started.

Is there any way I can use these CDs to simply wipe the machine, install the OS, and then install the drivers manually???

If they're not real WinXP install disks, probably not.

I am sick of this idiot-proof BS software. Why not just send me a vanilla Windows CD?

Well... in theory this way they can be sure the user has installed all the right drivers, etc. and any other software the laptop might need to operate properly. Also, that disk is probably locked to the BIOS on that laptop, so you can't take it and use it to install WinXP on another system.

Plus, they want you to install all that "trash"... AOL, etc. paid good money to make sure their software gets on there by default.

 

[GTaudiophile]

So in theory, in order to really clean the thing, I would have to go buy a retail version of WinXP and boot off of it?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So in theory, in order to really clean the thing, I would have to go buy a retail version of WinXP and boot off of it?

Basically. Well, you would need a retail CD-key to legally install another copy of Windows on the machine.

Probably you can also uninstall/disable everything or nearly everything it preinstalls.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So in theory, in order to really clean the thing, I would have to go buy a retail version of WinXP and boot off of it?

Basically. Well, you would need a retail CD-key to legally install another copy of Windows on the machine.

Probably you can also uninstall/disable everything or nearly everything it preinstalls.

I know I could but that is just such a "messy" solution! Leaving all those traces in the registry and all. BLECH!!!! I want a fvcking clean slate!

 

[GTaudiophile]

I mean, I'll have to uninstall trial versions of Office and Norton AV only to replace them with legal corporate versions from my company.

 

[mechBgon]

Get an OEM Windows XP CD that's the same version (Pro SP2, presumably). Confirm that you can download drivers for the hardware that the laptop's made of. It might be wise to look in Device Manager and note down what exactly that hardware consists of, and copy any driver folders from the hard drive so you have the stock drivers on hand after doing drastic stuff.

Start Windows Setup from the OEM Windows CD. When it shows you disk partitions, delete them all, then hit the F3 key twice to exit from Windows Setup. Now begin Windows Setup a second time and follow through. Use the license key on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop.

After installation, you can install drivers and stuff, and then activate Windows. You may have to OH NOES phone in for activation, because Microsoft probably isn't expecting the key on the sticker to ever get used.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Get an OEM Windows XP CD that's the same version (Pro SP2, presumably).

I think I have one.

Confirm that you can download drivers for the hardware that the laptop's made of. It might be wise to note down what exactly that hardware consists of, and copy any driver folders so you have the stock drivers on hand after doing drastic stuff.

I went to HP.com, put in the part # and downloaded all drivers...after I print-screened the Device Manager.

Start Windows Setup from the OEM Windows CD. When it shows you disk partitions, delete them all, then hit the F3 key twice to exit from Windows Setup. Now begin Windows Setup a second time and follow through. Use the license key on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop.

Have done this before.

After installation, you can install drivers and stuff, and then activate Windows. You may have to OH NOES phone in for activation.

Sigh. I was just hoping I could use the recovery CDs I paid for to install OS and drivers only and skip the trash. I sure as heck didn't ask for all the junk.

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, I would pay $20 extra for an unmolested Windows installation without ANYTHING extra crammed in there.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Yeah, I would pay $20 extra for an unmolested Windows installation without ANYTHING extra crammed in there.

I mean WTF!

This thing comes with not only trial versions of Office and NAV but also Vongo??? I mean, you turn on wireless and within seconds of it connecting, Vongo and other trash software start calling home and Norton starts showing warning after warning, asking whether I should let it bust the firewall and call home. Of course, if I let it, I'd have all sorts of new spam and trojans, etc. No wonder people's machines don't work from day one!

Why has there never been a class action lawsuit against this BS???

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

barebone laptops ftw.

 

[Nocturnal]

Take a picture of the discs for me and I'll tell you if you can use just one of them to put just a basic copy of Windows back on.

 

[corkyg]

That's a lot of fuss and feathers to get rid of some installed software. All I usually do in that situation is to uninstall/remove the programs, then run a Registry Scrub. End of problem.