bizzybody Posted April 7, 2008 Posted April 7, 2008 A client just bought a new Gateway PC with Home Premium. Gateway "helpfully" stuck icons for AOL 9 and Netzero on te start menu. The icons can be deleted but they come back when the computer is restarted.NEITHER PROGRAM IS INSTALLED! They ARE NOT in the list in Programs and Features. I can't find anything with msconfig or in the Run keys in the registry for either one.How do I completely scrub this malware-like garbage off this computer?(Anyone replying with "Go to Programs and Features..." gets a free thwack with a #10 clue-by-four.)
nitroshift Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 What happens if you chose "Remove from this list" instead of deleting the icons?
bizzybody Posted April 10, 2008 Author Posted April 10, 2008 What happens if you chose "Remove from this list" instead of deleting the icons?They come back next reboot. Reminds me of when those motherboard companies put Win 98SE detecting and auto-installing adware in the BIOS.
war59312 Posted April 10, 2008 Posted April 10, 2008 (edited) I'd reinstall Windows myself! GOD only knows what other crapware is on that PC... Edited April 10, 2008 by war59312
iheartsims Posted July 30, 2008 Posted July 30, 2008 Look for any batch scripts or uneeded programs that start up, they might have a script that does it. If its not that, then I would be on the phone with the company...grr!
fizban2 Posted July 30, 2008 Posted July 30, 2008 Download Autoruns from SysInternals, you can see everything that starts up on your machine. should be able to find the cuplrit there
paullyboy Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 (edited) You can see what's active at startup. From the desktop: Click on the START button > control panel >Administrative Tools > System Configuration > Startup and/or Services. They're right next to each other. You can opt out of a lot of stuff there, but remember(IOW: make notes of) what you de-activate. Oh, and do a 'Create a Restore Point' first using'System Restore'. Best, Paul Edited August 4, 2008 by paullyboy
Idontwantspam Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 You could also try PC Decrapifier.Agreed. If you don't do a full reinstall (which is also a good idea) then you should always at least run Crap Cleaner when you get a new OEM PC.
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now