Just got a free laptop from a friend

[S Freud]

So a friend of mine just gave me a sony vaio with an Intel Pentium M 1.6GHz. 512 RAM(shared video brings it down to 504MB) Windows XP with service pack 2.

What should I do to wipe all of his old stuff off of here? Programs that I don't want, like MSN messenger, Norton, etc.

I don't have the restore disks so reformatting isn't an option.

Any ideas to take care of it all and free up some space?

Thanks

 

[corkyg]

Uninstall all not needed programs, then do a Registry scrub. Should be no problem.

 

[Rottie]

If you have a Windows XP CD you can install it and download all latest drivers specified for your Sony notebook.

 

[hans030390]

Torrent an iso image of XP (non-cracked) and use the product key on the laptop (usually on the bottom)? Format, reinstall windows, then just get drivers from Sony's website.