No XP CD with new V2000z!

Argh!

I received my Staples-special V2000Z last night, more than one week early! My initial plan was to take out the 256MB DIMM and replace it with the two 512MB Corsair valueselect DIMMs that I had bought and then to do a fresh install of XP to have a bloatware-free clean slate.

After I installed the ram and booted into the bios to make sure all was OK (it was), I started looking for the XP CD. Um... the only CD was the AOL coaster. There was a CD-shaped piece of glossy paper, though, telling me that my computer had a recovery partition and that I could burn recovery CDs one-time only. Of course, I was going for a budget laptop and did not get a CD burner, so if I want the CDs I have to order them from HP.

WTF?!? Did this just start? I've read many posts here recently from people who did fresh installs and some comments on how HP includes the windows media while Dell makes you pay for it.

Did I mention that the recovery partition takes up 7+ gigs of my 40G drive?

So I spent about 1.5 hours last night uninstalling all the bloatware... dear god, there was a lot of it. About 25 icons on the desktop. I thought of doing a fresh install from the recovery partition, but it said that it would restore to the "original factory configuration", so I assumed that it would reinstall all the bloatware as well.

Bleh. But I like the laptop. Screen is great with no dead pixels, and the wireless worked immediately and had excellent signal from my linksys router in all parts of my home. I was also surprised at how quickly the battery charged (I got the 6-cell). I got the ML-37 and will play around with undervolting tonight after work.

 

Davin,

I got in on the same deal as you. Sounds like we got the same config as well: ML-37, 256 RAM, 40GB HDD, Briteview, Productivity Ports, and the DVD-ROM (no burner).

I'm also in the same boat as you as I don't have the windows disc or the software driver cd. I called up HP/Compaq support, explained that I couldn't make a backup of the software as I only had a DVD-ROM, and they put in an order for a replacement windows xp disc and driver/application CD.

I'd be willing to bet they would do the same in your situation. The order status page said I should have had the CD's by 3/27/2006, but nothing so far. Probably need to call them again. The CSR also kept asking if I had Windows XP Professional, I said only Home edition, but the order page says WinXP Prof. I'll take that.

Great forums here.

Jonestown

 

Well, that's good to hear. Thanks for the reply. I was planning on calling them this evening to ask for the CDs and it seems like they're accomodating. I might hold off on fully confguring the laptop until I get the CDs so that I can wipe the recovery partition and do a fresh install.

And we did get almost the same machine: I opted not to get the briteview!

 

I called HP support last night, and after explaining that I did not have a burner in my machine, the rep agreed to send me the disks for free. Funny thing, thought... he had to issue two seperate orders: one for the XP CD and one for the driver/apps DVD. And they have projected receipt dates one day apart!!! heh.

 

They used to give a fresh Windows XP disc with every laptop. However, it now is only an optional $10 add on when you customize.

 

I probably would have paid the extra $10 when I ordered it two weeks ago, but it was not an option. I think they are in the process of changing over how they do things and I just happened to be stuck in the middle. In fact, when I talked to the HP support guy, he said "you didn't get CDs?" I explained about the recovery partition and he said "oh, is that how they're doing it now?" heh

 

I would have paid $10 also but I also did not have that option. Are the CDs created out of the recovery partition comparable to what you get on the original XP CD? Because I ordered my dv5000z with a Combo drive and have a burner, I just would rather have an OS CD. I can't quite get HP to send me one unless I can convince them I don't have a burner. Tough luck...

 

I would rather spend 10¢ on a blank CD than $10 for the media.

 

This is the case with Dell Home, but this is not the case with HP Home. Scan of CD/DVD coming soon, if needed for proof.

 

Huh? Why is there an area in the customization process that says: "OS and Recovery Media" and lists all the available OSes for that system and +$10 next to it. Here's a description from the "Help Me Decide" box:

Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2 Backup CD

Here is a solution to restore your Operating System in case of a technical issue. Feel at ease knowing that your Operating System backup solution is right next to you if you need it. Due to the new System Recovery feature located on a separate partition on the hard drive, it is STRONGLY recommended that recovery discs be created to insure that the system can be restored to its original, purchased state. The Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2 Backup CD will ONLY install the Operating System.

 

Dell:
http://tinyurl.com/rqg5a

Another reason to buy manufacturer direct (exception: above):
http://tinyurl.com/l4ofk

 

The OS & driver disks were not offered as an option for me, either. I will assume that the reason they think its better to use the System Recovery feature is because they assume you want all the garbage on your system.

I wanted those disks, but don't want to have to lie to get them. Maybe if I call and complain, they'll send them.

That said, I've read on this forum, that reformatting with a clean install risks losing the quick play feature?

 

What store did you buy from?

 

You are not lying, OK? We've paid for it!!! Who's gonna compensate the almost 8G used up of my only 40G hard drive?

 

nathan, this is a recent change. My Staples-bought BTO V2000Z which was shipped to me directly from HP in China did NOT have the CDs and there was not an option to buy them when I ordered.

What I did get was this piece of paper.

 

I believe you now, this is a recent change in HP's policy for system recovery. I didn't have to pay anything for my discs, they were included for no extra charge. Check 'Operating System & Software' in my review. Where do you get the $10 option for the disc(s)?

 

Yep, that is the same piece of paper that came with my dv1000t. I got mine through Costco, ordered March 13, 2006. At the time I placed my order there was no option to buy OS disks at all.

So, could someone tell me, if I do get the disks, where is there a dummyproof guide to reformating this thing?

 

Well jonezart, that will require a little bit of preparation if you've never done that before. Reformatting isn't (and shouldn't be) difficult, but without a Windows XP CD, it just adds a few extra steps, which is why I'd very much like for HP to send me one. I do have an XP CD someplace but I already registered and activated my current license, so I don't think it'll be any good here. Does anyone know how I can convince HP to send me an original XP CD?

 

I have the same problem with the v2000z I just got from Staples. However I don't think that this is a recent change because my dad got a compaq desktop a couple of years ago and it was set up with the partition no XP or driver cd. I think that part of the reason they do this is becuse they get paid to put all of that trail software on their computers.

Also I went ahead and burned the recovey cds. It took 12! this really sucks because insead of two printed CDs that aren't likely to go bad I have 12 cds that all have a chance of corruption, and I was thinking about making 2 sets just in case and the partition will only let you make 1 set. I suppose it would have been better if I had the DVD burner but It was still pretty crummy on HP's part.

 

I'm not so much afraid of reformatting, but I've read that its possible to lose the quick play features of the HP's if you're not careful. That's what I would like to avoid. I'm calling HP tonight or tomorrow and see if I can get those disks.

Yes, they get paid to put all that junk on the computer I paid for.