Fresh Install Windows XP Pro without a Recovery CD for dv2000t

I don't know whether this has been covered before or not. I just want to share it with people in this forum.

O.K. I have a dv2000t notebok with windows xp pro. Since HP now only ships a recovery CD which has all the bloatware in it and I don't have a fresh winxp pro disk, I was not able to make a clean install for my notebook. However, I found a web site that show you how to create a clean windows XP Pro from the I386 folder inside your HDD. By following the steps 1-9, I am able to create a clean winxp pro disk that I paid for and install it without all the bloatware.

The site to create a clean win xp pro: http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_Install/index.htm
Several things need to mention,(1) even though the site said it is for IBM T series notebook, it works for my dv2000t without any problem. (2) you must have the I386 folder in your HDD. It should be there unless you have accidentally deleted it. (3) you need to use the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder in step 9 to extract the winxp product key from the registry. By use this key, you can bypass the activation process if you use the product key from your notebook sticker.

After you create the disk, you can use this reinstallation guide http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=78598. thanks for Notebook Abuser

So far, I don't have any problem, everything works fine. Hope this help.

 

It also creates an XP Home disc, if that's what you have. The cds folder created in step 5 contains a "wxphome" folder too.

The "bypass activation" method has never worked for me. Using the key on the XP sticker works great.

 

Good to know it works for winxp home too.
Which key did you enter to "bypass activation" that failed? The key extract from registry works for me but not the key from "unattend.txt" in i386 folder.