Fate Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 hello, i bought an hp computer a few years ago from walmart. i got spyware and adwar and viruses a lot so i had to use syustem recovery a lot. but then i found my profuct key on the computer and thought maybe i can reinstall windows, because whenever you use system recovery you still have those unwanted programs from the computer provider. So i borrowed my friend's OEM cd and i used the cd key on the side of my computer and it wasn't an oem cd-key but it was the same edition of windows the cd was, after i installed it with no problems, i tried activating windows and it didn't work it said the key was invalid am i supposed to use a regular cd to use the regular cd key? i have another xp home cdkey from another hp computer and that one didn't let me activate either? i need some help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 The large manufacturers (Dell, HP/Compaq etc.) are sufficiently large and have enough clout with Microsoft to be able to have their own versions of Windows - and their own product keys such that the keys supplied work only with the disk (or recovery partition) belonging to that machine. Even though the Windows version may be nominally the same, you have already found out that it isn't and it contains all sorts of (possibly unwanted) other software as well. Some makers have even been known to make their computers not accept original versions of Windows, even with a genuine product key.If you do get lots of viruses, adware and spyware then it shows you don't have efficient and easily available protection against these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 One more reason for NOT buying a branded computer. If you can't build your own, then buy from a local small business and have EXACTLY what you want on the computer, and nothing more, plus a full installation CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Welcome to the Windows Forum.Many computer manufacturers deliver at least a Recovery CD with the computer, so that you can reset your system to factory setting. Do you have such as CD? Then use it to restore your original Windows system.I know there comes a lot of unwanted software with most of these factory settings, but they are easy to remove with the http://pcdecrapifier.com/Once you get your system back up and running, you will have to start to protect your computer from malware. You will need1 software firewall1 antivirus softwareat least 1 anti-spyware productCome back here if you need advice on what to install. There are several good and free products available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarthy © ® ™ Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 I know there comes a lot of unwanted software with most of these factory settings, but they are easy to remove with the http://pcdecrapifier.com/...Just what I need also with this new Dell desktop that I bought from a friend. I did a factory reset on this and found loads of software that I didn't want. Does this 'decrapifier' software remove the software permanently? ie. Does it remove it from the restore function so that it isn't there after the next restore? Or is it something that one has to use each time one does a restore?This Dell did not come with a CD and only has the restore function built in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 S c a r t h y © ® ™It removes the unwanted dross from the newly installed system (after you've restored). You'll need to run it again next time you do a restore from the restore partition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarthy © ® ™ Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 ThanX Boris ;) Used it last night - Handy bit of software ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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