Clean install with OEM license key?

[seneca]

The preinstalled version of windows that lenovo packaged is sooooo slow and bloated with apps. I just want to do a clean install of windows without all the lenovo applications. So I want to use a pirated windows cd with the Swedish win xp oem edition on.

Question: Will my keys work with that cd/version of windows?

Note: I know however that I can clean the install manually, but it's very tedious and time consuming.

[msteinhilber]

Typically if you use an XP CD that is the OEM version of the version (Home or Pro) that your product key is for it will usually let you install it using that key. When it comes to the time that you activate, the Internet activation will fail as well as the automated phone activation. You will need to talk to a Microsoft rep to have it activated and they will ask who made the computer, model, etc.

[seneca]

gah, how annoying...

[jdhurst]

The preinstalled version of windows that lenovo packaged is sooooo slow and bloated with apps.<snip>

Then I think you have added something, or not gone through the settings. By all means, do as you wish. I use the Preload, think through all the settings, and my machine is as fast as blazes. So your thesis may be true for you, but is generally incorrect, so proceed carefully. ... JD Hurst

[seneca]

Windows gets slower over time, mostly due to the growft of the registry. And with Lenovo installing a few apps, it adds entries to the registry. Some of those doesn't even dissappear even after uninstalling the app. So after my relatively heavy use, I have to format and reinstall windows every 1 or 2 months or it'll consume more and more of my precious computing resources (and RAM btw). This effect is less noticable on more speedy machine (with faster hdd etc..). That's how I've done it the last 8yrs with every Windows version since 95 (guess why I now primarily use Linux?? ). I've some very good backup and recovery routines now though

What I want is a clean windows install, with all the drivers installed. Then I'll image it with ghost, and create my own r&r partition with ghost and pc-dos.

Now I'll have to dedicate a whole afternoon to messing with a microsoft rep to activate my windows version. *sigh*

[jdhurst]

Search for posts by me on this subject. I do not reinstall windows. Three years on, and still no need. And the machine is still fast. You can buy cheap tools to manage the stuff silently and automatically, or you can do it yourself for free. But Windows is *not* the problem. Managing the stuff you put on it *is* the problem and so are some of the settings, so check into how to manage Windows. I am not telling you what to do, merely to be in command of facts before making decisions I consider to be silly. ... JD Hurst

[seneca]

I am not telling you what to do, merely to be in command of facts before making decisions I consider to be silly. ... JD Hurst

I didn't intend for this to be a flame-fest about how good/bad Windows is. I just asked about the windows oem license key.

If you can keep your installation of windows running snappy for the last 3yrs - Ok. - For you, that level of speed is ok. And I respect that.

And you should appreciate that I use my computer to that extent that I need to reformat it on a regular basis. Burning down the house and rebuilding it is sometimes faster then sanitizing it. I am in command of that fact.

But Windows is *not* the problem.

You are in error, Windows is one big problem.

"I am not telling you what to think, merely to be in command of facts before making statements I consider to be silly. ... Mats Lundqvist"

You may reply or not, either way, this thread has strayed offtopic and I will let it die.

[christopher_wolf]

I am going to agree with John here because, all too often, Windows is blamed as the problem when people overload it with far too much stuff and don't actively clean it up. Your original post wasn't just about putting a clean Windows install on, but about the preloaded apps being slow. I can say, right now, that I am using less resources than other people that *have* removed the apps; usually, they end up making more room for them to install their own set of bloatware. The mere fact that I have customized my system and have gotten it to run *faster* than a Thinkpad with a "clean" Windows install pretty much disproves the idea that the application preload that IBM/Lenovo puts on the Thinkpads is slow and bloated (with the one exception of the Symantec retail anti-virus software). I really see no reason why some people continue to beat a dead horse when it comes to the preload as slowing down the system.

If they are that bothersome, simply remove them and don't go through the hassle of a fresh windows install (the results of which can be very dubious indeed). There are certain drivers and prefetches that should, in general, be left alone and would take a long time to regenerate/recreate with a clean Windows install.

[bill bolton]

I am in command of that fact.

On the contrary, its sounds you are very much in denial!

[Kyocera]

seneca

You may reply or not, either way, this thread has strayed offtopic and I will let it die.

Here's some help, locking.