So I just bought a laptop (rant)

o_ivaqual · 03-02-2006, 07:11 PM

When opening the box and checking if everything was in there, I couldn't find the Windows XP CD. Fine, I just call to tell them it is missing. But, apparently there wasn't supposed to be one, and this is common practice amongst laptop assemblers, or so my friends say.

The only way to reinstall XP is to go through a recovery program that fetches the files from a hidden partition on the hard drive, and reinstalls the factory xp/programs - including crap such as Norton AV, Office, Works.. A good, clean install of XP just doesn't seem to be possible. Sounds great ! Way to force down my throat programs I wouldn't dream of touching with a ten-foot pole ! I can only pity the clueless people that will have no idea of what is going on and will buy the full versions of the software because "if it came with the machine, it's what's best and runs best on it" and that you need an antivirus or some other nonsensical commercial argument you can hear.

Now, I do have other XP cds and I can use the serial number provided with the laptop (very intelligently, it's just a sticky under the laptop which will without doubt wear off before long

) but I still would like to be sure that this would work, and that there isn't any component that needs some special driver to run which can only be found on their crappy recovery solution. Has anyone tried a similar thing ? For information the laptop is a VAIO.

o_broodingdude · 03-02-2006, 07:17 PM

You may be able to get the driver set off the Sony Website. It may or may not come with the freight of software evil that's schniked on your drive. Sony really shines you when it comes to that. I'd bet that rootkit is installed on your laptop too.

o_mooga · 03-03-2006, 12:51 AM

My laptop was a hand-me-down and it had an bisness version of win 2000.
I had to strip it was a XP CD and it works good but I still find many probelms. I had to find and update several drivers. The worse one is that my prosseser just WONT run full speed!

Jiggles · 03-03-2006, 01:32 AM

It's common practice not to bundle a "full" version of XP with computers now. The "restore" version is cheaper for the computer seller, and easier when the average user screws up his/her comp. I really hate the vendors that use a partition on the HD instead of a CD, but, once again, it's easier for them.

Which is why I never buy from big computer sellers now.

o_sh4x · 03-03-2006, 01:37 AM

hahah yeah that is pure crap. I'm a PC tech and there are so many ppl having problem with that. When I tell them they have to buy another windows xp license because the preinstalled windows xp CD they got with their PC just wont work with the new motherboard... they always find it very funny.

Btw nagual... you might not be able to use the xp serial you got with another CD. It has to be the same version of XP. And I don't mean Home or Pro, I mean the same build sometimes. For example if your xp copy is from 2002 it probably wont work with the serial you got with your laptop.

It's 50/50. So good luck with that. But anyways, who needs a fucking legit windows XP. You can download WIN xp pro with SP2 integrated and an activation crack to let you get all the updates just like any real xp. And it's easy to find if you know about torrents.

o_kam · 03-03-2006, 01:39 AM

or xp corporate which has no activation

03-02-2006, 07:11 PM	#1
o_ivaqual Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Europe, Front Yard Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	So I just bought a laptop (rant) When opening the box and checking if everything was in there, I couldn't find the Windows XP CD. Fine, I just call to tell them it is missing. But, apparently there wasn't supposed to be one, and this is common practice amongst laptop assemblers, or so my friends say. The only way to reinstall XP is to go through a recovery program that fetches the files from a hidden partition on the hard drive, and reinstalls the factory xp/programs - including crap such as Norton AV, Office, Works.. A good, clean install of XP just doesn't seem to be possible. Sounds great ! Way to force down my throat programs I wouldn't dream of touching with a ten-foot pole ! I can only pity the clueless people that will have no idea of what is going on and will buy the full versions of the software because "if it came with the machine, it's what's best and runs best on it" and that you need an antivirus or some other nonsensical commercial argument you can hear. Now, I do have other XP cds and I can use the serial number provided with the laptop (very intelligently, it's just a sticky under the laptop which will without doubt wear off before long ) but I still would like to be sure that this would work, and that there isn't any component that needs some special driver to run which can only be found on their crappy recovery solution. Has anyone tried a similar thing ? For information the laptop is a VAIO.

03-02-2006, 07:17 PM	#2
o_broodingdude Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	You may be able to get the driver set off the Sony Website. It may or may not come with the freight of software evil that's schniked on your drive. Sony really shines you when it comes to that. I'd bet that rootkit is installed on your laptop too.

03-03-2006, 12:51 AM	#3
o_mooga Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A Small Box Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	My laptop was a hand-me-down and it had an bisness version of win 2000. I had to strip it was a XP CD and it works good but I still find many probelms. I had to find and update several drivers. The worse one is that my prosseser just WONT run full speed!

03-03-2006, 01:32 AM	#4
Jiggles Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CowTown Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	It's common practice not to bundle a "full" version of XP with computers now. The "restore" version is cheaper for the computer seller, and easier when the average user screws up his/her comp. I really hate the vendors that use a partition on the HD instead of a CD, but, once again, it's easier for them. Which is why I never buy from big computer sellers now.

03-03-2006, 01:37 AM	#5
o_sh4x Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montreal Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	hahah yeah that is pure crap. I'm a PC tech and there are so many ppl having problem with that. When I tell them they have to buy another windows xp license because the preinstalled windows xp CD they got with their PC just wont work with the new motherboard... they always find it very funny. Btw nagual... you might not be able to use the xp serial you got with another CD. It has to be the same version of XP. And I don't mean Home or Pro, I mean the same build sometimes. For example if your xp copy is from 2002 it probably wont work with the serial you got with your laptop. It's 50/50. So good luck with that. But anyways, who needs a fucking legit windows XP. You can download WIN xp pro with SP2 integrated and an activation crack to let you get all the updates just like any real xp. And it's easy to find if you know about torrents.

03-03-2006, 01:39 AM	#6
o_kam Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	or xp corporate which has no activation

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