Posted: 5/28/2008 7:21:55 AM EDT
|
I picked up a HP machine six months ago and have been having a lot of little problems. Most of these problems have been conflicts with or the actual preloaded crap that was on the computer. Vista itself isn't all that bad but HP put a lot of crap on here that doesn't jive 100% with Vista no to mention are memory hogs. Second problem is that when I remove these unneeded programs they either come back or are not completely uninstalled (even with the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility). So I was talking with a co worker the other day (he pretty good with the PC stuff) and he tells me to "find" and copy of Vista and just use my OEM Key. He tells me that the Vista discs are all the same and the product key is what tells the computer to install off the disc. He claims that my computer or microsoft will not know the difference from the HP Vista disc (bundled) or just a straight Vista disc (just the OS no bundle software crap) as long as I use my product key that I got with my computer. So basically I would like to know if what I was told is true? Also if this is shady in any way let me know. I am not upgrading just want the OS as it is with no preloaded software. I have contacted HP with this issue and asked for just a OS disc and that was about as productive as pissing into the wind. So now it's either get back to the bare bones Vista or dump it and go back to XP as I am not going to spend money on getting Vista that I've already bought. Thanks in advance for any help! |
|
There are a couple different types of discs to install windows normally; such as OEM type to use with OEM keys, retail, and business licensing IIRC. You can find an OEM disc usually on the "torrents" which I use when my OEM discs get really scratched up (which happens). As for legality, I can't really say - I don't know how MS sees using an OEM disc downloaded off a download site as legal or not. As long as you don't use WPA kill or any other type of feature to bypass the windows authentication I don't think you'll have a problem. Your mileage may vary. |
Will the OEM discs have the other software (preloaded junk) on them or are they usually just the OS? |
|
My understanding is that all Vista install discs have all versions of Vista, with the exception of the home use program stuff and the business editions. This enables you to upgrade from say home premium to ultimate by purchasing a key from Microsoft and using the same installation media. As far as OEM dics go, I would wager a guess that it is their own hacked up version of Vista with a specifice manufacturer key that won't let you use a "normal" version of Vista. The only way to really know is to give it a shot. |
First thing you should do on a new computer is run PC Decrapifier and get rid of the preinstalled crap that can slow down a new computer.
www.pcdecrapifier.com/ |
Well I've been doing a bunch of reading on the .net and it seems that it's a 50/50 mixed opinion. I just took my RAID offline and pulled the drive (just to be safe and hopefully all of the info is still there). Going to dump my main drive and cross my fingers. I called PC Club and talked to one of the guys there about just getting the upgrade to get out of this mess. He seemed to think that even with the upgrade I would still have the bundled software. He said I may have to buy a retail version. If this don't work I'll contact MS and see what they have to offer. |
Thanks! If all of this software shows back up after I reinstall I'll give that a run. |
|
No one has brought this up yet. Start/Run/type msconfig/change setting to selective start./click on the startup tab. Uncheck anything that looks like crappy proprietary software. You can also uncheck any program that is not needed for startup, or programs that don't need to run all the time. Leave any of the microsoft programs alone. If your unsure about what to uncheck, keep a browser window open and Google search the settings. Then reboot Read this first. More info here This fix works in both XP and Vista ZM |
All 32 bit disc I have seen retail or OEM (system builder or from SLPs disc supplied to customers) include all versions of 32 bit and all 64 bit disc I have seen retail or OEM (system builder or from SLPs disc supplied to customers)include all versions of 64 bit they have to or “Anytime Upgrade” would not work. This includes the OEM disc supplied to customers from Dell, HP, etc… I am sure there are disc that don’t but those are not the norm. |
That's what I thought, but I'm never 100% sure about anything. 
|
|
Ok for others who want to know here is what I've found out. There are three different Vista discs. First is retail, next is OEM system builder, and last is OEM for Dell, HP and so on. These discs contain all versions of Vista but is specific to retail, OEM builder, and OEM and the product key unlocks that particular version of Vista. Now a OEM product key will not activate a retail copy of Vista. OEM for the larger companies like HP, Dell, ect. activates automatically after looking at the BIOS/Motherboard and making sure it is the same board the key was assigned to. This is why you do not have to enter your key when using the "Vista Recovery DVD". Now the gray area is OEM for builders as this has no bundled software and from what I can find does not auto activate (key needed). Some say that the OEM key will sometimes work. So here is another bump..... Good ole' Microsoft has blocked OEM keys from the major companies such as HP and Dell from being able to activate windows. When you enter your OEM key it will not activate windows and gives you 30days to do so or Vista goes into some kind of "limp mode". It gives you the option to manually get a 50 digit activation code from MS by calling a 1-800 number. Now you are at the mercy of the dick on the phone. Here is another kick in the balls.... MS offers no "free" support for Vista if it is a OEM product as they feel is is the builder responsibility to support their product. So you have to deal with that. Next kick is that if you reconfigure you motherboard or hardware your OEM DVD will not work because if won't pass the BIOS/motherboard config. check. So basically if you want to install a clean copy or change your hardware config. MS wants you to pay full retail for a OS. Now I will say this has gone beyond need and now it is settling curiosity..... If any of my info is wrong please inform me/us. There are a few ways around this I will not go into and seems to be hit and miss again with the opinions. Same goes with getting the activation code from MS by phone. Some reported a quick and easy call and some say they were interrogated as to why they are not using the OEM copy and told to buy a new licence. All in all some of the info may not be worded correctly so forgive that computers are not my specialty. This is my version of a piss poor rant/ getting some info out there for others. I'll post more if I come across anything. |