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    so i bought a new notebook........ to wipe, or not to wipe?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by fruithead, Jul 10, 2006.

  1. fruithead

    fruithead Notebook Enthusiast

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    this is my (Brand New!(YAY!)) computer:

    HP Pavilion dv8000z; AMD Turion 64 ML-34; 17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Wide Viewing (1440x900); 1GB Memory (2x512MB); Microsoft Windows XP Home w/SP2; 80GB 5400RPM Hard Drive; DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive; 128MB ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory; 54g 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster; 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery; Microsoft Works/Money

    [edit by moderator]

    do i even bother using whatever the comp comes preinstalled with, as i'm sure it includes lots of trashware 'n' junk (it's still in the mail, btw), or do i (after making sure i have all the drivers) wipe it clean and start with a fresh computer.

    whaddya think?
     
    fruithead, Jul 10, 2006
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  2. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    I assume by your statement that you do not have a legal copy, so we will not discuss the issue of your XP disc because NBR does not support illegal activities.

    As to whether you should format or not, that is your choice. Most people rather format in the beginning and get it done and over with. That way they don't have their laptop set up all nice and neat, and end up having to format cause of all the junkware.
     
    Amber, Jul 10, 2006
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  3. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    I'd remove what you don't want and follow it up with a good registry cleansing. Its always worked well for me.
     
    olyteddy, Jul 10, 2006
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  4. fruithead

    fruithead Notebook Enthusiast

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    lol i really apologize. i do i hope i didn't cause any trouble, and appreciate the advice.

    {fruithead <====== fairly new at this}

    so, my second question is, if i am good with computers, but not awesome, is it a fairly simple task to get rid of all junkware i don't want and clean the registry, or is it better (easier?) to simply wipe and ......................um. nothing. just wipe.....and... start over again.
     
    fruithead, Jul 11, 2006
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  5. prasys

    prasys Notebook Geek

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    If you wipe , you might lose some OEM related files...Of course it would be clean you would have total control of your system. Its just that you will miss COMPAQ's/HP Help and support related stuff and their spices as well. I would suggest you to keep the preinstalled OS , and instead remove all the junks and clean the registry...
     
    prasys, Jul 11, 2006
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  6. Tiger-Heli

    Tiger-Heli Notebook Evangelist

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    The only thing I wouldn't be sure how to do is keeping HP's software that let's you play CD's/DVD's without firing up Windows.

    SG's guide says how to do that for Dell, but I don't know if the procedure is the same for HP?
     
    Tiger-Heli, Jul 11, 2006
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  7. sutheep

    sutheep Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    What I did was, I ghosted the whole disk and then wiped it off :) just incase one day you might need it.
     
    sutheep, Jul 11, 2006
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  8. Tiger-Heli

    Tiger-Heli Notebook Evangelist

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    Tiger-Heli, Jul 11, 2006
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  9. SomethingLame

    SomethingLame Notebook Consultant

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    Wipe the disk clean and reinstall.

    Look for a folder on Your C-drive. It's called I386

    If You have that You can reinstall with that. If not You have to either use the recovery discs that follows the laptop or buy a new Win XP :)
     
    SomethingLame, Jul 11, 2006
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  10. compaq64

    compaq64 Notebook Consultant

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    Dont waste your time wiping, if its legal, yes hp does put a lot of junk on it but its not to bad nothing CP's Ad or remove programs cant fix then defrag and you should be fine. Just a suggestion concider upgrading hd to a 7200rpm its a huge difference, a lot of ram wont help without a nice hd or vice versa.
     
    compaq64, Jul 11, 2006
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