Add/Remove Windows Components OEM

[cdeworth]

I have a new HP computer with xp pro OEM. I don't have XP pro installation disks since this is the OEM version. When I try to add windows components in control panel "add/remove windows components", I'm told windows can't find the necessary files. I'm asked to type a path to the required file or insert an xp pro install disk. Of course with the OEM version I don't have an XP pro install disk. HP has all of their recovery files on a drive partition but all of these files are locked.

Their customer support doesn't seem to have a clue. Their answer for everything is to use their recovery disks to reformat my drive and restore my computer to the original state. Every time I do this I lose a week of productivity and it doesn't correct the problem.

My specific question; is there anywhere I can download files necessary to add, for example "Fax Support" or "Accessories and Utilities", or has anyone fought this battle with HP and won? Hell, I can't even play solitaire!

Thanks,

Clint

[LLXX]

If the files are located in a hidden partition then you'll have to unhide that partition and see what it holds.

[cdeworth]

Thanks LLXX,

The files are all displayed with a Pad Lock Icon and when I click on a file all I get is a warning message from HP that it is dangerous to attempt to alter these files because they are needed to restore the system. I have no Idea about how to unlock them. I was able to find the .exe files for Paint, Calculator. and Solitaire on my old computer and copied them into a folder on my new machine and they seem to run ok as stand-alone applications. These are mainly the programs I was interested in. Still it would be nice to have normal functionality from Control Panel.

You have given me some new ideas to pursue so I will try to work with the locked files.

Thanks

Clint

[Gee]

There maybe a utility provided by HP to create the XP discs. Check your HP utilities and see if it is there.

[urie]

Yes before you do anything run there software to make recovery cd's also i think it is a once of cant do it again,

also their restore partition is protected in some way. do your restore cd's first then you can play.

[cdeworth]

Closure,

Thanks to everyone who offered help. I Finally gave up and used the system restore disks to wipe out two weeks of work and restore my computer to factory fresh.

The good thing about HP support is that it never took more than a minute or to connect to a rep. I found that if I told them it was a business computer I was connected to a rep in Canada who spoke very good English. If I told them it is a home computer I was connected to India. The Indian technicians followed a very rigid script. The Canadian Techs conducted a more one on one dialog.

When my computer first failed, I diagnosed a bad memory card. I had to go through two days on the phone following their troubleshooting flow charts before they finally agreed I had a bad Mem board. Great said I, send me replacement Mem board. No Way! I had to send my computer 3,000 miles to their repair center. No cost to me but a week without my computer. After it returned I had restore all of my software and reconfig every last detail.

I wish these guys would just sell their computer with a clean Windows install and no junk. I know that they earn money from all of these free trial programs and internet connection offers but I would be willing to pay more for a fresh system and genuine windows install disks.

I heard today on digg.com that DELL is offering clean installs on their high end computers were they have a larger profit margin to work with.

Again thanks all

Clint