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Computer help: new computer loaded with crap
new computer loaded with crap
by flavante - 5/26/09 7:29 PMI recently purchased a gateway computer with vista operating system when i opened the start menu I noticed a bunch of crap adware and internet connection icons for programs that i dont need so i tried to delete them by uninstalling but there was no programs to be found how do i get rid of this crap please help!!!!!
You're not alone
by Willy - 5/26/09 9:03 PM In reply to: new computer loaded with crap by flavantehttp://www.google.com/search?q=remove+crap+software&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
I googled for ya, look into the s/w that does this for you. Checkout PC Decrapifier and others. Use key words, if you want other hits, like remove demo s/w or remove crap s/w and/or clean-up system, etc..
I've used PC decrapifier and ccleaner as well, they do a pretty decent job. If you have a hard piece of s/w that refuses to remove, then ask Gateway about it. They *may have* some removal tool as this is an issue some vendors have addressed, Dell has. As always, google away for tips/hints on any select piece of demoware, etc..
tada -----Willy 
Good suggestion, Willy
by RonS [WINDOWS-TEAM]
- 5/27/09 11:01 AM
In reply to: You're not alone by Willy
The added softwware the comes on your computer can be useful to some, but for the most part isn't useful to everyone.
There are a lot of different ways to remove this, but you want to be sure that whichever way you go with, you are only removing items which you don't want to use or that aren't vital to your system.
Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team
Something to remember
by Jonmor68 - 5/27/09 1:17 PM In reply to: Good suggestion, Willy by RonS [WINDOWS-TEAM]
if need arises to restore the system from the backup disks/partition, all crap will be restored as well.
If you don't want to go through this again, I suggest you get yourself a good image backup program, I use Acronis True Image and find it worth every cent it cost me (US$50).There are others like Ghost but I havn't used Ghost for several years.
I have mine set for auoto backup of drive image daily, no need to remember to do it. If I try some programs that don't work out or cause problems, I can restore the system in about 15 minutes.
Thanks for the added info
by RonS [WINDOWS-TEAM] - 5/31/09 9:49 AM
In reply to: Something to remember by Jonmor68
Yes, restoring your system to the OEM state will bring back those programs if you need them.
Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team
first....
by quan7um - 5/29/09 7:02 AM In reply to: new computer loaded with crap by flavanteYou need to remove all of the spyware/adaware off the computer. Download Malwarebytes from Cnet (www.download.com --> search for Malwarebytes), install, update, and run a scan. Then after all of the crap has been removed, then you should be able to access your add/remove programs list and remove anything else you don't want. If this doesn't help, then there are plenty of other programs [like Auslogics Boostspeed (this is a trial version and will expire in 15 days, just install then do whatever you need, reboot, then uninstall) or other external uninstallers] that you can download and install to have a list of your programs to uninstall the useless programs you no longer want.
delete that crap
by tedtks - 5/29/09 7:38 PM In reply to: new computer loaded with crap by flavantemore than likely you will probably run into more
than just the extra junk. the system is set-up per
the prev owners likes and dislikes.
'What I would do !?!'
grab the OS cd and reload it - use the option
to format the HD. THEN you can set up the system
the way you would want it. simple and faster than
going thru all the other ways.
ted
But
by 1shado1 - 5/29/09 7:57 PM In reply to: delete that crap by tedtksThere WAS no previous owner. New machine. : )
I had the same experience with this Gateway PC.
by Paul C - 5/30/09 2:07 AM In reply to: new computer loaded with crap by flavanteIf your PC came with a separate operating system disk (mine did), then you're good to go.
Here's what I'd suggest:
1. Review what's on the PC now. Is there anything you might want to keep? I couldn't find anything.
2. Make a set of recovery disks from the hidden partition. While you may never want to restore the thing to its new in the box setup, the time might come when you just might have to. Make copies of these disks and keep 1 set off site (I keep by off site set of disks at work).
3. Using a tool like Darik's Boot And Nuke or KillDisk, wipe the C: partition clean. NOTE: This may take a significant amount of time.
4. Using the operating system disk that came with the PC, and after making sure you're disconnected from the Internet, reinstall Windows.
5. Turn off the Windows Firewall. Install all your security software (firewall, antivirus, antispyware, etc.). Install a good backup application (I use and recommend Acronis True Image; you may use another as long as it can make a complete image of the C; partition).
6. Now, reconnect to the Internet, update all your security software, then go to Windows Update and completely update Windows. Then, update all drivers, especially video and audio ones (NOTE: Gateway has a number of drivers on its support website that you might be able to use).
7. Install all the other software you intend to use (presumably, you have the program disks/downloaded installers saved from your previous machine). Update these apps as required.
8. Storage is cheap; this would be a great time to buy a second internal hard drive and install it. You'll use this drive for your backups.
9. Open your backup program and make 2 disk images of the C; partition - one to the second hard drive and one to removable disk (CD/DVD). Make sure you verify the data on these backups as you create them, as they're your baseline backup for disaster recovery! Also make a recovery boot disk for your backup program.
You can then make additional incremental or differential backups to the same folder on the second hard drive on a regular basis. It may take you 1-2 days to do all this, but when it's over, you'll have a system setup the way you want it, with only that software you want loaded and with the ability to recover the system fully in case of disaster.
Paul
A bit of Google and Revouninstaller goes a long way
by dexter_birdbrain - 5/30/09 12:01 PM In reply to: new computer loaded with crap by flavanteI have a Sony Vaio and at last count, I had removed around 30 softwares from the time I got it. These include AOL, Norton, Quickbooks, Microsoft Works, more than a dozen softwares from Sony. Use Revo uninstaller as it will detect any registry keys and files/folders left behind.
WARNING - DO NOT just go ahead and uninstall a software if you have not heard of it. It may be a driver as well. So, if you are in two minds, do a Google search.
I was trying to read about something...
by magical2002 - 6/1/09 11:22 AM In reply to: new computer loaded with crap by flavanteI was trying to read about how to get rid of stuff that is loaded on a new computer that you do not need. There does not appear to be a way to uninstall. Can you help me with this? I also would like to uninstall or delete downloads that I no longer need or use.
Thanks,
Jan
getting rid of stuff
by tedtks - 6/1/09 12:18 PM In reply to: I was trying to read about something... by magical2002Did you try - :'start ' button:- ' control panel ' :- then click
' add or remove ' icon. ? ?
this will give you a list of what you have loaded. Scan down until
you find what you want to remove. click on that item, then on 'remove'. this should get rid of most things.
I dont know what your level of expertise is, nor what you want to get rid of, so at this point I wont go into what more can/should be done.
This is a Windows Vista, and I did use the Start, Cntrl, ect
by magical2002 - 6/2/09 12:27 PM In reply to: getting rid of stuff by tedtksThank you for your reply. Yes, I did try the afore mentioned recommondation and the items that I was trying to get rid of did not appear on the list. Also is there a way to delete downloads from my computer that I no longer want or need? They do not appear there either.
Thanks,
Jan
okay - we try this,
by tedtks - 6/2/09 1:46 PM In reply to: This is a Windows Vista, and I did use the Start, Cntrl, ect by magical2002I dont know vista, so hopefully it has some of the same stuff
got to start - click search - enter ' explorer ' - set the "look in" to your hard drive(s) c: d: etc... run it.
right click on the 'application' and make a shortcut for your desktop.
run the explorer. use the search function to find what you want.
you will probably get either one hit or many.
you can right clic to get a 'delete' function.
NOW... you really need to know something about file names.
there could be a named file that is similar to what u want to get
rid of that may be a system file.
as an example. I copied a 'defrag.txt' file to an empty folder for
this test. ran search and got 20 hits. some of which I dont want to delete.!
like I said b4 - if this is beyond your capabilities it may be better
to find someone to help. or, post here and I will give you my email
so we dont take up space here on the forum.
TED
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