Question about operating systems on laptops

[Elderly Newt]

I know many companies like to install all kinds of software on the computer, and I also know many companies give you a "restore disk" and not the actual Windows XP disk or whatever.

I have two questions. I've been looking at IBM's thinkpad notebooks, and you're able to choose which operating system you want (XP Home or XP Pro.), as well as any productivity software. If you don't select any productivity software, does this mean you get a fresh, clean install of XP?

Second of all, if the laptop does come with preinstalled software and no original XP disk, can you buy a copy of XP, reformat the harddrive, and install the fresh copy of XP? Or are you forced to use the "restore disk" with all that extra software?

edit: I considered posting this in Operating Systems, but I figured it should go here since it's specifically about laptops..

 

[namityadav]

If you buy a copy of XP? Then why won't you be able to install it on the laptop and get a fresh install?

And even if you dont ask for a productivity software, you'll get some crap pre-installed (At least that's how Dells work)

 

[Elderly Newt]

I would think you'd be able to, but I've heard it's set in the BIOS that you can only use whatever they provide you with. Just double-checking.

Thanks.

 

[deathwalker]

Absolutely...you make purchase you own O/S and intall it in your laptop without any problems. You may or may not have to go out to the mfg. site and download some drivers..but..the bios will not stop you from installing the O/S. I have done it numerous times. But before you do this...why dont you just got into add and remove programs and start some selective removal of obvious unrequired garbage...you may be surprised at how effective it could be. With a little care it will be almost impossible to remove anything critical to the Laptops operation.