gregstar05 Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 hello. I have a HP Pavilion t230a computer. When i got it, it was piled with heaps of s..t like programs and games. A few Gb's, so i unintsalled them all, but recently my computer has been crashing and stuff. The other day, i got an 'HP ALERT' on my desktop and i couldnt get rid of it and it was undisplayed. I couldnt get rid of it so i had to restart. I also had a ABOUT MY HP COMPUTER logo on my start menu, which i eventually got rid of it. Basically, my computer is full with HP Stuff. I have a recovery which is drive D and my main system is drive C. Drive D takes up almost 10gb of my hard drive and that is a lot. What I want to know is, if I wipe it all and install windows XP on it, will the activation work? or not as i have never had to activate my computer before, as ive always used the HP Recovery section on my computer and if it doesnt work, will Microsoft help me? as i do not have an offical cd. I am borrowing a friends and will they allow that? ive included a screenshot of some of the c..ap i got pre-loaded on my system!!! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypoxiaicon Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Do you actually have a Windows XP Home/Pro Cd or is it a recovery CD? If its a recovery CD then formatting & installing again will just put all the junk on and will not need activating. If you have a Normal XP Pro/Home cd.. format and install from that/ Activation will not be a problem. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584282953 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregstar05 Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 i have XP Home. No i got no CD's when i brought the computer. Only a Recovery drive D. What if i use WinXP Manager to back up my activation info and wipe and install XP, and use the back up activation, will that work? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584282965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 (edited) Format and re-install a fresh install of Windows XP, though that voids customer service support as you are altering with factory settings and wiping off the HP partition. If you want to keep the HP stuff and therefore keep your customer support warrenty, do a system restore. Reboot the computer tapping F10 to activate the HP partition. If that doesn't work, call HP tech support, and have them send you the recovery CD's. It's crappy, but if you want your warrenty/support you kind of have to deal. Welcome to buying an HP. Edited August 2, 2004 by [NFC]Wave Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584282968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregstar05 Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 i NEVER want to buy an HP computer again. I have had nothing but troubles. The day i got it, i was infected with the MSBlast virus, even tho it apparently has all the latest xp updates. AS IF! If i didnt know about the computer and know what to do, then I would have been in trouble. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584282993 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 Or you would call tech support and have them walk you through it. I'm 100% positive that HP did not ship you a computer with the Blaster on it though. That is your fault somehow. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283008 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gringo Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I also have a HP (pavilion ZE4400) It camed with 4 recovery CDs and another CD with Windows XP Home. I choose to format and install all the software that I want ... and then I made my own recovery CDs ... because HP's ones come with a lot of programs that I wouldn't use... such as MS. Money, Adaptec Easy CD Creator (I think Nero is better), etc. Now I have all my favorites programs installed and only 2 recovery CDs.... now I'm happy. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283031 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 Personally, I wouldn't buy an HP b'c of all the crap they put on it. Then, when you try to get rid of it, you void your warrenty. I'll build my own. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283035 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregstar05 Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 Well i set up the account as you do when you get a new computer, and then connected straight to the internet and with in 2 minutes, i got shut down! I rang up a friend and told him wat had happened and he told me how to get the blaster patch and that fixed it. I rang up the shop that i got it off and told them and they said they had a few similiar complaints about this, but that didnt know what was wrong, which is pretty bad lol. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283042 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesda Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 whatever computer you buy (including your own built) can be infected with virus if you don't keep yourself protected and updated. HP normally build a good computer, however I admit their price and software suck. Normally HP computer comes with recovery CDs if not come with recovery tools (installed in boot screen and all related in protected drive D). Somehow I think you can ring them to mail you the Windows XP OS cd and use ur Pre-installed Windows cdkey. Because it OEM verison you don't have to activate. So remeber if you use your computer to access Internet you must keep your PC updated and protected. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283079 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitteny_berk Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 it's very, very common for machines to get hit by blaster early like that, not HP's fault, it just happens Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283086 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregstar05 Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 yes i admit that, but to tell me on the phone that they didnt know what was wrong. Dont they watch the news or anything lol. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesda Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 yes... that correct.... sometime those HP technicians are outdated :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283222 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 And sometimes not....:ninja: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
OptiPlex Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 gregstar05 said: if I wipe it all and install windows XP on it, will the activation work? or not as i have never had to activate my computer before, as ive always used the HP Recovery section on my computer and if it doesnt work, will Microsoft help me? as i do not have an offical cd. I am borrowing a friends and will they allow that? ive included a screenshot of some of the c..ap i got pre-loaded on my system!!! If you use the HP recovery media (D drive) you will not me asked to activate. You borrow a friend's OEM XP CD and that CD is not designed for HP machines ... it will ask you to activate. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283254 Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenNT Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 nothing wrong with HP computers, i purchased an HP Compaq d530 and all that came with it is Windows XP Professional with SP1a. the reason is becasue it's a "business" computer. it's a lovely PC with bags of room inside to play with. :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283281 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregstar05 Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 i hate hp computers lol Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283461 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 [NFC said: Wave,Aug 2 2004, 06:39] Or you would call tech support and have them walk you through it.I'm 100% positive that HP did not ship you a computer with the Blaster on it though. That is your fault somehow. Its not his fault in any way. Its Microshaft and the way they leave the os wide open from the get go. Best thing to do with a windows box new is not connect it to the internet till you have disabled some services first. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kona04 Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 (edited) I have an HP ZD7000 Laptop and it came with a bunch of **** on it too...but it DOES NOT void your warrenty to reformat it...in fact i've reformatted mine numerous time and even told Customer Service about it when I had to call in for something. I even send it off last week and they repaired my computer for free...They came to my office and picked it up, then shipped it to CA for free...fixed it...and returned it to my home ALL free. I dunno where that **** came from about VOIDING YOUR WARRENTY...ITS BS. They don't giva damn. Anytime you buy a computer from HP, Gateway, Dell, etc...your gonna have a bunch of unnecessary crap on it because they have contracts with software companies. Edited August 2, 2004 by Kona04 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283559 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 It voids your customer service warrenty, the phone support warrenty. Not the hardware warrenty. If you put the original OS back on they'll help again though. You switch OS, MS will help you, but HP won't (over the phone anyway). Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludeboy Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Why would you void your warranty by installing Windows XP? What happens when Longhorn comes out and people want to install it? Would everyone be voiding their warranties because of that? Makes no sense to me. Just use the recovery CD and after you're done installing, uninstall all the junk you don't need. Also, your computer didn't come with msblast installed. Msblast was a worm that crawled into people's computers without them even knowing. Ever consider that? HP computers are great, if you need to buy a prebundled computer. Obviously we think it's crap because we can download/install/configure our own programs. Most people that buy brand name computers are usually n00bs that need things already installed for them. Gregstar05 thinks that his HP system came bundled with msblast. I'd say he's pretty n00b and wouldn't have been able to install XP on his own and use it. I find it funny when people say they hate a company just because one tiny thing goes wrong. Even if it's their own fault for being stupid. But it's easier to hate a company than admit you're a moron, I guess. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283588 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 ludeboy said: Why would you void your warranty by installing Windows XP? What happens when Longhorn comes out and people want to install it? Would everyone be voiding their warranties because of that? Makes no sense to me. Let's say you have a Win98 computer in 2000. You buy a 4 year warrenty (that did exist back then). So you upgrade to XP in 2001. Though there aren't any drivers with that same computer for XP. You can't find any now with that computer. What do you do? Can HP support you? No. They have specific drivers included with their computers. You can upgrade them all you want, they just will not be help responsible for them. If you buy a video card from a store, you are responsible for those drivers, not HP. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283613 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludeboy Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Oh, you mean tech/software support. You said warranty. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584283774 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Allen Veteran Posted August 2, 2004 Veteran Share Posted August 2, 2004 Well you have software and you have hardware warrenties. If you don't leave either as factory defaults you cannot have support on either. However, if you can prove that the software/hardware that you have installed is not the problem (through troubleshooting) then it is fine. But if you buy a new video card, and the tech suspects that that could be part of the problem, they will ask you to return to factory defaults before continuing. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584284360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougkinzinger Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 gregstar05 said: hello. I have a HP Pavilion t230a computer. When i got it, it was piled with heaps of s..t like programs and games. A few Gb's, so i unintsalled them all, but recently my computer has been crashing and stuff. The other day, i got an 'HP ALERT' on my desktop and i couldnt get rid of it and it was undisplayed. I couldnt get rid of it so i had to restart. I also had a ABOUT MY HP COMPUTER logo on my start menu, which i eventually got rid of it. Basically, my computer is full with HP Stuff. I have a recovery which is drive D and my main system is drive C. Drive D takes up almost 10gb of my hard drive and that is a lot. What I want to know is, if I wipe it all and install windows XP on it, will the activation work? or not as i have never had to activate my computer before, as ive always used the HP Recovery section on my computer and if it doesnt work, will Microsoft help me? as i do not have an offical cd. I am borrowing a friends and will they allow that? ive included a screenshot of some of the c..ap i got pre-loaded on my system!!! So it's HP's fault, is it? Forget the fact that you chose them as your vendor . . . :rolleyes: Try reinstalling and activating. If it doesn't work, call Microsoft using the phone number provided during the activation process and tell them you simply reinstalled. Sheesh, why are people scared of calling Microsoft?? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/197896-hp-wrecked-my-computer-can-i-fix-it/#findComment-584284380 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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