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Wise to get a OEM copy of WinXP for new Asus laptop?

post #1 of 4
10/26/06 at 2:25am
Thread Starter 
I am a laptop newbie and I am planning to purchase my first laptop. Right now I have narrowed it down to either the A8Js or W3J, but will most likely get the A8Js. I'm not getting it right away but sometime around late November or December is when I plan to get it. Anyways, I've read that ASUS laptops come preinstalled with WinXP but do come with recovery discs. When I get my laptop, I plan to do a fresh install of WinXP to get rid of any unwanted programs that I won't need. Now I know you can do this with the recovery discs, but I was wondering if getting a new OEM copy with my laptop would be the best way to go. I only have WinXP x64 edition but that's installed on my desktop computer. So, would getting a OEM copy of WinXP from the dealer be a reasonable choice?
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post #2 of 4
10/26/06 at 5:42pm
Some had suggested to me when investigating a similar need that I could reinstall Windows XP using any Windows XP Installation CD and then validate it with the Product Key that was purchased with the copy of Windows XP that came with the machine. I have not done so myself and I can't tell you of the legality of doing so. The argument was made that you're not pirating any software in that you're using a paid version of Windows represented by the purchased Product Key. There might be an additional step or two involved so google around for more detailed information. I learned of this from HP notebook owners as HP notebooks do not come with a recovery CD per se. Also search on "Slip Stream" (for example, http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm) to see how administrators create a fresh installation CD that contains all of Windows XP, service packs and critical updates, extra drivers and other software that they wish to install on a group of machines in their shop during a fresh installation. There are some sites that contain scripts that automate creating a slipstream CD. The ASUS recovery CD may or may not be suitable for creating the slipstream CD.
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post #3 of 4
10/26/06 at 5:58pm

Here's some tips on how to clean up Windows and create a WinXP CD on your Ensemble

If you need to create a CD just to have one, information can be found below [step 1].

Next, follow step 2 to get what you want your windows to do [pretty much what a reinstall would do, without actually doing one].

1. More info on creating a WinXP CD here: http://www.nu2.nu/bootcd/wxp/

2. If you're wanting to reformat just to get rid of the system tray stuff, I would not recommend the hassle.
You actually need a couple of those ASUS icons to make sure certain ASUS utilities and hardware will work.

To disable the unnecessary ones, simply go to Start >> Run [msconfig] >> Startup [tab].

You will need to leave the following ON: HControl, wcrourier, BatteryLife, Bluetooth Manager…

Those will ensure your wireless, Bluetooth, and other hotkeys will work properly.

They also do not take up a lot of resources… you can uncheck most everything else [please look through carefully and see what you don't want].

Once you have done that, restart and enjoy your faster boot times.

Enjoy!
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post #4 of 4
10/26/06 at 8:12pm
My brand new Asus A8JS seems to have come with a full windows XP install disc. I didn't open the packaging but it looks just like a full windows XP OEM.
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