do you reinstall Xp from scratch?

I'm just curious how many of you install a fresh copy of XP without all the gunk that comes with a pre-installed OS? I've done something similar several times with desktops, it usually asks you to call MS to activate and whlie that's annoying, it's not bad, if you get a nice clean install that's not bogged down!

 

Depends on how much crapware is installed on it.

Also, check this out for for future re-installations.

 

Always.

10char

 

Never. Why pay for software twice?

 

pay for software twice? no no no! you have a legit key stickered on your computer bub, you just get a copy of the proper XP and reinstall, the key will be recognized just fine if you have a key, you have a key, the source of the program doesn't matter. I often torrent program ISO's just for that reason, when helping clients out, grab the key and give them a more uptodate version/copy.

 

Have you tried this? Is it really that easy?

I want to reinstall Windows XP Media without the Acer Bloat.

 

it does work only if you install XP without any SP. if you have WinXP CD with integrated the SP2, then this won't work. as soon as you replace the files and reboot, windows will ask to be activated as the trial time is over.
if you use your windows key always on the same computer, you can reinstall it as many times as you want

 

that's not quite true Alex. the key you have is geared to work with the version of XP you have. for instance, my XP Pro SP1 OEM key only works on discs that are XP Pro SP1 OEM, unless it was slipstreamed to SP2, like I did with mine.

so if your notebook came with XP SP2, then you need to get the appropriate disc of XP SP2. an original or SP1 disc will not work with your SP2 key.

you can usually find the appropriate version on some torrent site. I've done this several times (tho on desktops) and all that's ever happened is the key won't activate, so you have to go thru the phone Microsoft scenario, they ask if this is on any other computer, which you can honestly answer 'no' too, and then they give you a new confirmation key so you can successfully activate your copy of Windows.

 

I didn't when I first got the machine, I just uninstalled all the rubbish and bloatware, but If I ever do a rebuild the Toshiba restore disk won't feature.

 

camvan, i was referring to the link posted by iza, saving the wpa.* files is a method that was working before the SP2 (not sure if SP1 works or not). I tried many times, as soon as you replace the 2 files and reboot, windows says that need to be activated.

About using a "clean" CD of XP with your key, that yes can be done. just make sure that your key is the same "version" as the CD you are using.

 

^
It's always worked for me, even with sp2. I had windows xp sp1 CD, it was upgraded to sp2; I saved the file on another comp; reinstalled xp sp1, installed service pack 2, then copied the file back; no activation needed.

 

I recently bought Acer Aspire notebook and didn't get a copy of XP with it.I got a legit key stickered at bottom off it but how will I reinstall it???

 

Most defintely. I always will format a new computer. Sometimes I will even format my computer every 6 months or whenever I feel like it just to get a fresh installation.

 

My E1505 was undergoing an HD format and clean install within 2 hours of opening the box.

My ram usage dropped by HALF, from 480MB to 240MB. No benchmarks, but even after such a brief experience, the responsiveness difference was easy to notice. My system tray was trimmed down.

I had a trial of Office 2003 and a running SQL server on mine! wtf.

I have no idea why manufactures do this. Out of the box it runs like poo, and this affects user perception noticably.

 

i tried to do reformatt with my xp pro cd but it didnt turn out to well as all the stuff i have for my notebook to make it run right is for mce so im gonna have to get a mce disk somewhere .

 

i disagree with reformatting all the time because i dont feel like reinstalling all my programs and aslong as you keep up on ur windows cleaning theres no reason that ur windows installation wont last you a good 2 or 3 yrs or more.

 

once you install XP, how do you get ALL you drivers for all you I/O ports, peripherals etc working?

to get rid of vista and bloatware.

 

Riken this thread is ooolldd. If you are looking for specific drivers I would suggest making a new thread in the "notebook manufacturers" section.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1002

 

imo u shud use nlite for xp or vlite for vista to make a fast slimlined os. It allows u to use tons of unnecesaary stuff and services etc. If ur using xp u shud slimline sp3 into the install if ur using vista i don't suggest sp1, cos it is to be honest CRAP and slows ur computer down lol

 

Of course.