Compaq Presario v5000z clean install questions

I received my first notebook, the Compaq Presario v5000z about 20 days ago. It has a lot of bloatware and other trial stuff. So I sat down to do a clean install but I realized that HP/Compaq had not sent me any discs. I pulled up the two recovery DVDs that I had created but did not see anything that looked like drivers or applications.

I called up HP atleast 4 times but the support kept transferring me and the last person standing would invariably said that discs are not available for this model and that I would have to use the recovery partition. When I insisted that others had received the OS and app/driver discs, one supervisor asked proof. So I showed the pictures "mech_e" had posted here. He quickly pulled a fast one and said it was a 2005 model and they stopped shipping the discs on the 2006 model. I was very frustrated after arguing with them for nearly 75 minutes and hung up.

To cut a long story short (too late for that ) I have a few questions for the people here who have more knowledge than I do:

- I have licensed copy of XP Prof that I want to install. Should I wipe out the entire hard drive along with the hidden partition or keep the hidden partition? Would I be able to use anything from the hidden partition once the programs (residing on the C drive) which access it would be wiped out?

- I want continue using the Sonic software and some of the HP games. How would I install them from either the recovery discs or recovery partition if I install my own copy of XP Prof? Aren't the disc images and the recovery partition "Compaqized"?

- Where can I find the drivers to install if I can not use recovery disks/partition? I was reading that some people had trouble finding drivers for modems and hard discs after doing a clean install.

- Where can I find reliable memory for cheap? Looking for 1 GB stick/s

My config :
XP Home
AMD Turion 64 ML-40 (2.2 GHz)
15.4 WXGA BrightView Widescreen
128 MB ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M
256 MB RAM
80 GB 5400 RPM hard drive
DVD+/-RW
802.11 b/g w/125HSM
12 cell lithium-ion battery

I love my configuration so don't want to send it back just because of this stupid little annoyance.

Thank you in advance for any knowledge, advice and/or direction.

 

Like hell its an 05 model! Did you tell him when I ordered it? And what constitutes an 06 v5000z vs an 05 v5000z. This is pretty shady on HP's end, imo.

 

This is a good post. I'm right along side you on this issue. I myself want these CDs because I don't want all that bloatware on my own computer. I'm looking forward to the ideas others have about stubborn HP support.

 

Make sure you burn off the recovery discs before doing anything.

 

You can buy reliable memory for cheap from online stores like NewEgg and mwave. That configuration is the same as mine, except I ordered the dv5000z, the ML-37 processor, and no BrightView. Nice choice of laptop!

I get mine next week or so.

 

Hi z5sharp and all,

I did not notice this recovery disc and Win OS disc issue before. After I reall some of your posting and other people complain, is it true that whatever lappy we order from HP will no include our own fresh copy of Win OS and all its driver?????

Oh dear, so troublesome, what happen?

So, if we dont have any copy of Win what happen? CU%$E MS for being so greedy...

I am not happy....with this. So how is your DV5000z now Z5Sharp?.. Do you also download new BIOs. Please update me with your news.

Thank you very much dude...