The HP Laptop Out-Of-The-Box Guide 2.0 for Windows 7

Is there a thread that explains what the 'bloatware' items do? Understand that I'm not disagreeing with your conclusions about what's bloatware & what isn't, but if I didn't like to make my own decisions about what runs on my PC then I probably wouldn't be reading this thread in the first place. So far I haven't been able to find any information on most of this stuff, except that most people do agree with you.

 

Hi there calvin-c and welcome to the NBR Forums!

Bloatware is the factory installed programs that are most of the times redundant to the OS' native capabilities. For example HP Wireless Manager, HP Games, and tons of programs that most of the time you wont use but they are still active, this means that they slow down your computer.

 

Hey guys just bought a dv7t 3000 and have been trying to absorb as much of your advice as I can. I am going for a clean install of windows 7. A couple of questions.

1. How do I know whether I have 64 bit or 86 bit windows?
2. When I run Windows7activator I get a panel that says 'Backup' or 'Restore', when i click backup I get a window asking me to find a file to backup (*.w7a).

Thanks in advance.

 

1) right click computer and click on properties. it'll show you the architecture under 'system type'

2) is the prompt asking you for a file name? type in "my backup.w7a" and see what happens.

 

It just comes up with a 'save as' and asks me to browse for a file to backup. Is there a file that stores the activation information? If so where would I find it?

 

Hey thanks so much for this usefull guide!!

edit - Creating those 3 recovery discs sure takes a mighty long time .

 

I just finished installing 7/updating all my drivers and what not and I only have one problem; the battery icon in the tray only updates when I right click it. Anyone know how to fix this?

 

^ there is a wierd issue with windows 7 - the desktop does not refresh.

to see if you have this issue, try this:

1) create a folder on your desktop
2) double click it to open it
3) with the folder open, go back to the desktop and rename it.

what should happen is that the folder with the old name should still appear. not sure what this is but a lot of people are experiencing this.

 

The name of the open folder changed just fine for me when I did that. This isn't a big deal or anything, it is just kind of annoying.

 

Fixed it. I just removed and replaced it from the tray a couple of times and viola.

 

type in whatever you want to name the backup file and click save

 

Yeah, ive been having this problem and its really weird because it happens randomly (not too often) but it has happened a few times on every win7 install I have

 

I wanted to restore the original key and after this :



I tryied to activate with the key online but it says it is not valid key?

How to enter the key?

 

you shouldn't have to enter a key, but since it is telling you to, make sure that you are entering an OEM key and not the key on the bottom of your laptop

 

Very good, Serg. You only missed one part of bloatware's definition: the fact that it's factory installed programs *that the user doesn't want*. The problem (which is what my question is) is that there is rarely enough information for even an informed user to decide, for themselves, whether or not they want a factory installed program. Most people end up relying on the judgment of others without knowing what that judgment is based on-but I don't like doing that. I prefer to make my own decisions.

I appreciate all the information about how to remove the bloatware, as well as the help in finding some of it that isn't obvious, but I'd like to know what it does before I remove it. Do you know of a thread that actually does that?

thanks.

 

I'll add little notes next to the list about what they do, sometime soon

EDIT: updated guide, added notes next to the bloatware list about what they do

 

as per http://www.revouninstaller.com " Windows Vista
64 bit operating systems are NOT supported! ". windows 7 is not on the supported list.

 

It does work. I downloaded it the friday and used it to cleean my laptop from all the bloatware. Fully functional and supported.

Using an Envy 15 with Win7 Home Premium 64bit.

 

works fine for me on Windows 7 Ultimate x64 - I test pretty much everything I can before posting it

 

I guess they need to update the info at revouninstaller.com. Thanks for confirming that it works.

 

Be sure to make those Recovery Disks first, though. I got a little over-enthusiastic cleaning stuff out with Revo & it uninstalled the Recovery Manager program along with something else (not sure what). Fortunately I'd made the Recovery Disks so now I'm starting over.

V3loc1ty: thanks for the notes. I sometimes get frustrated with the spyware sites that say "This is safe, it's your choice whether you keep it or not". Like I can make a choice without knowing what hpqtoaster does! (for example). And until I found this thread, the spyware sites were my best source of information.

 

i just got my dv6t today with Win7 home premium 64bit. I was wondering where in the process should I use my win7 pro upgrade?
Thanks

 

The disc is used in Step 1.1/ Step 2, but make sure you do step 1 first

 

I'm having this same issue. After I restore the backed-up activation file I get that same dialog asking for a key.

(This may be a dumb newb question, but...) Where do I find an OEM key? All I know about is the sticker on the bottom of my brand-spankin-new dm3 laptop.

Other than that the process worked great! Thanks for all your time/effort to put this together.

 

Revo Uninstaller WILL work on 64bit systems, but it WILL NOT uninstall 64bit programs.

So it will handle all 32bit progtrams installed on your machine, but won't list or recognize 64 bit programs, such as Internet Explorer 64bit.

 

Have you tried the hunter mode or the drag and drop mode?

 

well no, i was asking after what step in your guide is it safe to upgrade to Win7 Pro?

 

i have another question. Its off topic, but I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a MS Office Professional 2007 iso. I have a valid/legal key but need the program. Thanks!

 

where i say to do a clean install of 7, you should just put in the windows 7 disc and install it, so it is step 1.1/2 - since you are doing an upgrade, you will then need to uninstall all of the bloatware, so go on to step 3 after that

 

i am not aware of any ways to legally/safely download that can be discussed on this forum

 

There was the Beta 2010 available some time ago, but nowadays MS Office 07 is not available for free download, and getting it "for free" (read: illegal) cannot be discussed here.

 

Forget it. I ended up calling the activation phone # and getting done that way. Was completely painless and worked fine.

 

You can download the trial version and use your valid key to make it a permanent non trial version. Go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx and click on the 60 day free trial link.

 

i know. that is why i made it clear that i have a valid/legal key.

I did the trial conversion technique. Thanks guys!

 

Can someone help me, I clean installed Windows 7 and now when I touch the volume bar, I don't get the popup on the screen showing you how large your increase or decrease in volume.

 

Just got the CPQ 61z, had to reinstall the audio driver. Volume was very low and the driver was not listed as being installed. I went to the HP help and checked with the device manager. Go to start, than search, type in device manager and check sound,video.

Norton is less bloaty than in previous models but still intrusive. I installed Avast.

 

I use the fingerprint reader to log in. If I uninstall the Digital Persona software, does Windows 7 have built in ability to use the fingerprint reader?

 

no, the digital persona drivers are needed

 

Thanks. I assume drivers and software.

 

HP R crocks , I bought an HP less than a year , and it was top of the line at the time its dv2899ee , wanted to install windows 7 on it , and here is the chat with hp that went on today :

Thank you for contacting HP Chat. If you need further assistance, please visit our website or contact us again via Chat or E-mail.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : I have a vista home premium 32bit , I bout windows 7 64bit , but I didnt install it as I did not find the drivers for windows 7 . Dose that mean I will damp my one year ago top of the line PC ??
[An agent will be with you shortly.]
[You are now chatting with John Black .]
John Black : Welcome to HP Total Care for notebook support. My name is John. Please give me a few moments while I review your problem description details.
NOTE: For security reasons, PLEASE DO NOT send credit card information via chat

John Black : Hello Ahmed.
John Black : How are you doing?
Ahmed AL-ISmail : Hello John
Ahmed AL-ISmail : I was OK till I bought the windows 7 and found no software for it
Ahmed AL-ISmail : I mean drivers software
John Black : I understand that you are not able to install the software in windows 7.
John Black : Am I correct?
John Black : Okay.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : I didnt install the windows & yet John , cause I went to your sight and didnt find the drivers soft ware for it
Ahmed AL-ISmail : windows 7 *
John Black : Ahmed,let me explain that HP has not yet relesed the drivers for your notebook for windows 7.
John Black : HP does not recommend changing or upgrading the Operating System (OS) to a retail version .We support only the pre-installed Operating System.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : what do U mean , do I have to stick to vista , thats not fair John
John Black : How ever if you want you can upgrade with retail version of winodws 7.
John Black : Ahmed,,till now Hp has not relesed the driver.
John Black : When HP releases we will send an email to your email id.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : I have a retail version , but I caould not find the drivers for windows 7 , I have the retail windows 7 here on my table
John Black : Okay.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : and when do U expect that to B John , if U dont mind me asking ???
John Black : We do not have any information till now about the upgrade drivers.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : GOOD FOR HP , LOOKS I DID A MISTAKE WHEN I BOUGHT THIS EXPENCIVE PC FROM HP
John Black : If you want to try you can try the windows vista 64 bit drivers for windows 7 operating system.
John Black : Some of the drivers may work for the windows 7 operating system.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : OK I Understand that , but what if it dosent work . I think I was foold with the HP name
John Black : If the drivers do not work please get back to windows vista and wait for the drivers.
John Black : Here is the link to download the drivers for your notebook.
John Black : http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=2100&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3722289&lang=en
Ahmed AL-ISmail : yes I will remember that advice , GREAT
John Black : Copy and paste this link in the address bar of the Internet explorer page and hit enter.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : I have been to that link , it has nothing of what I need
John Black : Thank you.
John Black : Is there any thing else I can help you with today?
Ahmed AL-ISmail : U couldnt help with what I needed , so I dont think there is any thing U can help me with
John Black : I can understand how frustrating this issue is for you, and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this matter may have caused.
Ahmed AL-ISmail : yes this PC costed me $1400 less than a year ago and I cant upgrad it

 

HP doesn't supply enough updates for their products , never do the mistake I did and go for other laptop brands

 

I am also having this issue. I thought the key at the bottom of the laptop was the OEM key?

If I rang up for activation.....is there anything sketchy about what I have done that would be a concern for the person on the other end of the line? Or is it all kosher?

Thanks in advance, and thanks for the guidance to help my DV7 run at full capacity!

 

Im wondering the same thing before i try to do this.I want to put an ssd drive in there.Thanks

 

you can always get updates yourself for all of the important components - actually pretty much all of them

 

The key on the bottom of the laptop is your key from the OEM, but when the OEMs preinstall win 7 (or vista), they use a single key with a special certificate, which you can use to activate without contacting microsoft (online or by phone) by checking a table in your BIOS

On the other hand, you can use the key on the bottom, and there is nothing sketchy about it - you are allowed to reinstall windows, so microsoft will have no problem

 

I also found this keygrabber ,use it before installing windows 7 again and get the key



http://pcsupport.about.com/gi/o.htm...s=0&zu=http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

 

If you are on an OEM install, you will also have to backup the certificate

 

So how do you do that?
So if you use the product key and info on the bottom of the laptop to install a new ssd drive thats all you need?

What about this file
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/showthread.php?t=6925

 

this should work as suggested in the OP: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5518585&postcount=2100

 

original guide update: changed the sharebee link to gazup since sharebee had problems with bad ads