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Removing Dell "garbage" and reinstalling WindowsXP
Every now and then I hear of someone in the Dell Forum deliberately reformatting their new computers to get rid of all the “garbage” that Dell installs, then reinstalling Windows and starting “fresh”. How does a person do that, they make it sound so simple? Would there be an issue with needing to reregister the Windows software with Microsoft? I am planning on partitioning my hard drive using PartitionMagic anyway so I could simply reformat as part of the partitioning process, but is reinstalling WindowsXP easy enough for a relative beginner to do? Thanks for all the help.
Acadia
Acadia
- I posted this same question in the Dell usenet group, very interesting. I find a couple of people who warn against doing this and I find a couple of people who have done it and state how much faster their reformatted pcs run?!?!
Hmmm, another possibility: Has anyone purchased an 8300 desktop thru the Business Division? Does the Business Division loaded all that excess baggage? Thanks to all.
Acadia gothummingbird
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Posted February 22nd, 2004 15:00
bc_acadia,
Unless you are looking forward to dealing with an unknown person in a foreign country with a foreign accent over the phone to help you that you clearly have not paid to help you, in the some unforeseen time in the future, in an emergency state of mind no less, I would strongly suggest that you become familiar with your hardware.
An alternative to reformatting/not reformatting a brand new PC that is not broken would be to buy a second, small 20 GB, spare, free after rebate, hard drive to practice on and use later for storage of files.
ghb- The only 'Excess baggage' included (on the home or business versions - either one) are some programs that can easilly be uninstalled; or if you prefer, just disabled. The only real benefit of a reformat is if you're changing the partitions (no need to use Partition Magic if you're reformatting the whole thing).
Message Edited by AllynKC on 02-22-2004 09:10 AM
Denny Denham
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Posted February 21st, 2004 22:00
It is quite simple to do (and you can establish your desired partitions as a part of the installation of XP, so you don't need Partition Magic). See the instructions here. The new installation should not require reactivation.
Shortly you may see a response from msgale explaining why you shouldn't reformat, something like this.
Message Edited by Denny Denham on 02-21-2004 07:23 PM