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Thread ID: 75193 2006-12-19 18:54:00 Laptop - Compaq - Xp professional running like frozen treacle Morgenmuffel (187) Press F1
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508037 2007-03-19 04:47:00 o you have the XP COA stuck to the laptop somewhere (usually underneath)? If so, you can legally borrow someone else's install disk and use that, but enter your license key not theirs.

DONT try this ...........it's almost certainly an OEM install in which case the key wont work and you'll end up with a non activateable xp install.............try reading the initial boot screen for prompts such as

'tap F10 for setup'
&
'tap F1 to access recovery'


or similar 		drcspy (146)
508038 2007-03-19 05:22:00 Hi all

We got given a laptop yesterday
Compaq n1015v


Well its probably stuffed with spyware for a start.
If you ring Compaq you can get another set of Recovery CDs for it, although they'll charge you for them, but its probably best to kill its install and start from fresh.

And turn off System Restore, its a bloated pig. 		pctek (84)
508039 2007-03-19 07:34:00 o you have the XP COA stuck to the laptop somewhere (usually underneath)? If so, you can legally borrow someone else's install disk and use that, but enter your license key not theirs.

DONT try this ...........it's almost certainly an OEM install in which case the key wont work and you'll end up with a non activateable xp install.............try reading the initial boot screen for prompts such as

'tap F10 for setup'
&
'tap F1 to access recovery'


or similar

You're right. it wont work very well if it is a retail disc you borrow (I know this from experience...), in fact, the install wont even let you put in your cd key, let alone activate it. However, borrowing someone else's OEM install disc should work.

Actually, it is possible to get a retail disk to accept OEM keys, but I won't go into any further detail than that... 		Sherman (9181)
508040 2007-03-19 08:17:00 Trying linux would be a rather good idea, but macs are so much better.

However, you would be best off running a scan with avast (anti spyware is worse at killing spyware then anti virus) and running zonealarm to prevent more crap getting in. 		Ripdog (11014)
508041 2007-03-19 08:57:00 (anti spyware is worse at killing spyware then anti virus)

Either Im reading that wrong or its some incredibly crap advice.

Are you suggesting that Avast cleans out spyware better then dedicated anti-spyware apps? 		Metla (12)
508042 2007-03-19 09:28:00 Personal experience + professional tests. Ive never had anti spyware remove anything but tracking cookies, but avast has removed plenty of spyware.

Have to admit, the test is about 2 years, old, i need to research this a bit more :P I think ill remove the comment.

EDIT: Bah, cant edit the above.

Plus running as little software as possible is the best idea for him/her. 		Ripdog (11014)
508043 2007-03-19 09:39:00 Then you weren't running an anti-spyware program that was any good, Even 2 years ago the likes of Adaware and spybot were the best tools for removing spyware, Better then the best spyware detecting abilities of the best anti-virus programs, Of which Avast is not counted.

Fine for a freebie though, Just not something to be recommended as a replacement for a dedicated spyware removal app.

I am yet to see a functioning Spyware removal program only remove cookies. 		Metla (12)
508044 2007-03-19 10:00:00 I am yet to see a functioning Spyware removal program only remove cookies.

Rogueremover which has just arrived on the scene, seems to be pretty good for the rogue software crap thats about.

Well most of the hard to get rid of fake programs, that most people cant kill.

Altho it's only got 268 rogue software programs in its database atm, it shouldnt take too long for them to add more.

And trojan remover removes quite a few adware/spyware entries.

Neither of these deal with cookies. 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
508045 2007-03-19 11:10:00 Okey Doke, i have actually scanned the machine etc and removed trend anti spyware and it has come up clean as a whistle, it's just slow, definitely thinking a bit more Ram should boost performance Morgenmuffel (187)
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