Clean Installing XP Pro

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xp_newbie

I just got my new Lenovo laptop, pre-installed with Windows XP Pro and
fully paid for (it has the nice holographic sticker with the product
key at the bottom). Lenovo won't ship an clean-install Windows XP Pro
CD, as they claim the recovery partition already has the
"factory-installed state" recovery capability and I can even burn it to
CD/DVD (which I did, just in case).

However, the so called "factory-installed state" (from which I am
writing this message now) came pre-loaded with lots of "garbage
software": all sorts of applications and background programs which are
of no use for me and only slow down my system (not to mention my
connection to the Internet...). Therefore, I would like to perform a
clean install of Windows XP Pro and take it from there, despite the
fact that it means some time investment on my side (I know how to
download this laptop's specific drivers and install them).

However, I do not wish to pay for another copy for Windows XP Pro for
this laptop, since I already paid for one. I do have a clean install
Windows XP Pro CD that I purchased for another PC I have.

My questions about what I would like to accomplish are:

1) Is it technically possible?
(i.e. is the product key uniquely coupled with a specific physical
CD)

2) Is it legal? (as mentioned above, I do have legal license for this
laptop,
I just don't have the media used to install it).

Thanks!
Alex
 
The product key affixed to your Lenovo PC is only
valid with Lenovo's recommended restore method
and is not valid with any other Windows XP CD.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| I just got my new Lenovo laptop, pre-installed with Windows XP Pro and
| fully paid for (it has the nice holographic sticker with the product
| key at the bottom). Lenovo won't ship an clean-install Windows XP Pro
| CD, as they claim the recovery partition already has the
| "factory-installed state" recovery capability and I can even burn it to
| CD/DVD (which I did, just in case).
|
| However, the so called "factory-installed state" (from which I am
| writing this message now) came pre-loaded with lots of "garbage
| software": all sorts of applications and background programs which are
| of no use for me and only slow down my system (not to mention my
| connection to the Internet...). Therefore, I would like to perform a
| clean install of Windows XP Pro and take it from there, despite the
| fact that it means some time investment on my side (I know how to
| download this laptop's specific drivers and install them).
|
| However, I do not wish to pay for another copy for Windows XP Pro for
| this laptop, since I already paid for one. I do have a clean install
| Windows XP Pro CD that I purchased for another PC I have.
|
| My questions about what I would like to accomplish are:
|
| 1) Is it technically possible?
| (i.e. is the product key uniquely coupled with a specific physical
| CD)
|
| 2) Is it legal? (as mentioned above, I do have legal license for this
| laptop,
| I just don't have the media used to install it).
|
| Thanks!
| Alex
 
I just got my new Lenovo laptop, pre-installed with Windows XP Pro and
fully paid for (it has the nice holographic sticker with the product
key at the bottom). Lenovo won't ship an clean-install Windows XP Pro
CD, as they claim the recovery partition already has the
"factory-installed state" recovery capability and I can even burn it to
CD/DVD (which I did, just in case).

However, the so called "factory-installed state" (from which I am
writing this message now) came pre-loaded with lots of "garbage
software": all sorts of applications and background programs which are
of no use for me and only slow down my system (not to mention my
connection to the Internet...). Therefore, I would like to perform a
clean install of Windows XP Pro and take it from there, despite the
fact that it means some time investment on my side (I know how to
download this laptop's specific drivers and install them).

However, I do not wish to pay for another copy for Windows XP Pro for
this laptop, since I already paid for one. I do have a clean install
Windows XP Pro CD that I purchased for another PC I have.

My questions about what I would like to accomplish are:

1) Is it technically possible?
(i.e. is the product key uniquely coupled with a specific physical
CD)

2) Is it legal? (as mentioned above, I do have legal license for this
laptop,
I just don't have the media used to install it).
Click to expand...

Basically, No. Your pre-installed version is the liceneced copy for
your computer.

What you're experiencing is a total and utter pain, and is a standard
throughout the industry with brand-name computers. The problem is
there are so many people out there who don't know any different, think
that all the little bells-and-whistles that come "free"(???) are
wonderful ... which only encourages the manufacturers to keep on doing
it - and more!!

My suggestion, do a re-install, then

- use Add/Remove Programs and dump those that can be uninstalled

- check your Startup menu; delete annoying useless icons from the
Startup menu (Hint: remove them to your desktop. If they were
criticaol, you can always put them back)

- run msconfig - untick unneccesary TSR programs that manufacturers
think are so important they have to run as soon as the computer is
started (grrrrrrrr!!!!) (Any that are critical can always be
re-ticked)

Alternatively, buy a copy of XP and do your install BUT check with the
website before you do - make sure you can d/l the drivers required
(network, sound, display, modem, etc)
 
I just got my new Lenovo laptop, pre-installed with Windows XP Pro and
fully paid for (it has the nice holographic sticker with the product
key at the bottom). Lenovo won't ship an clean-install Windows XP Pro
CD, as they claim the recovery partition already has the
"factory-installed state" recovery capability and I can even burn it to
CD/DVD (which I did, just in case).

However, the so called "factory-installed state" (from which I am
writing this message now) came pre-loaded with lots of "garbage
software": all sorts of applications and background programs which are
of no use for me and only slow down my system (not to mention my
connection to the Internet...). Therefore, I would like to perform a
clean install of Windows XP Pro and take it from there, despite the
fact that it means some time investment on my side (I know how to
download this laptop's specific drivers and install them).

However, I do not wish to pay for another copy for Windows XP Pro for
this laptop, since I already paid for one. I do have a clean install
Windows XP Pro CD that I purchased for another PC I have.

My questions about what I would like to accomplish are:

1) Is it technically possible?
(i.e. is the product key uniquely coupled with a specific physical
CD)

2) Is it legal? (as mentioned above, I do have legal license for this
laptop,
I just don't have the media used to install it).

Thanks!
Alex
Click to expand...

Sorry you won't be able to do it w/o purchasing another copy that has
the CD. The product key on the system probably only works with the
recovery disk.
 
Thank you all for your answers - they were quick and unequivocal.

Which brings me closer to implementing the advice I received from an
IBMer friend of mine: wipe out the entire disk and install one of the
latest distributions of Linux. No product key headache, no spyware by
big corporations...

Alex.
 
Thank you all for your answers - they were quick and unequivocal.

Which brings me closer to implementing the advice I received from an
IBMer friend of mine: wipe out the entire disk and install one of the
latest distributions of Linux. No product key headache, no spyware by
big corporations...

Alex.
 
Thank you all for your answers - they were quick and unequivocal.

Which brings me closer to implementing the advice I received from an
IBMer friend of mine: wipe out the entire disk and install one of the
latest distributions of Linux. No product key headache, no spyware by
big corporations...
Click to expand...

Now steady on there. There is a limit to bravery when it tends to
foolhardiness .... :) :) :)
 
Harry said:
If you think linux is without headaches think again
Click to expand...

Not now-a-days with distros like Ubuntu.......no different to Windows in
that respect and in some area are superior.....
 
Harry said:
If you think linux is without headaches think again
Click to expand...

No operating system in existence comes without challenges.

However, the challenge of Linux can be overcome by learning and
education. This is a *good* thing. :-)

The challenge of Windows, on the other hand, is that it brings all of
us, little consumers, closer and closer to feudalism (as in the middle
ages). As companies become more and more huge and more monopolistic and
with deeper pockets, it is only a question of time before consumer
*choice* will be a thing of the past. This is a *bad* thing.

Still, in case there is still some decency left out there (in
Microsot), I would advise the original poster to check whether the fact
that he has a legal license can get him an installation CD (from
Microsoft or some retail channel) either free or at a significantly
discounted price. Anyone knows whether this is possible?

Lynn
 
You need to ignore the advice given to you by your "friend".
The installation of a different operating system will immediately
void the technical support offered by your PC manufacturer.
 
You have paid for two copies of Windows. You have two computers.
You are not "allowed" to use one of your copies on two machines, but you
*CAN*.
As long as it has been 90 days since your last activation on the other
computer, you can activate the same copy of Windows on a second computer.

Keep in mind that you should read the fine print from Lenovo, in case using
other than "their" Windows affects your warranty.
 
Harry said:
If you think linux is without headaches think again
Click to expand...

Yes, the headache it comes with is listening to uneducated morons like
yourself wine on and on about it!
 
Carey said:
You need to ignore the advice given to you by your "friend".
The installation of a different operating system will immediately
void the technical support offered by your PC manufacturer.
Click to expand...

Are you suggesting that Lenovo is in cahoots with Microsoft so that
their customer is forced to swallow any frog shoved into his throat?

If so, then this is an even better reason to dump Windows and switch to
Linux.

Alex.
 

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