new pc , useless programs?

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 10:40

hi

ive just got myself a acer x3812 , im aware when you get a pc like a acer,dell... you get loads of pre-installed programs that just hog up your pc.

is there anyone with an acer that can tell me what i should delete of the system.

i could do a re-format , but i dont have a clue how to do it and i dont get a windows 7 cd.

i think acer's come with all this epower management rubbish?

thanks

bledd · 3 Dec 2009 at 10:43

My gf's brand new Acer laptop was super slow, even after clearing off as many programs I could find on it

After a format with a Windows disc, it was lightening quick.

Fegruson · 3 Dec 2009 at 10:48

I would say get rid of all the Oberon Games, get rid of all the Acer software first, but don't get rid of the Acer eRecovery Management software, especially if you haven't created the restore discs.

And get rid of the Office Trial, and the Trial Activation Suite. Presuming you don't need a trial that is

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 10:51

thanks , i was just reading somewhere else that its best to keep the acer e-recovery program , think ill get rid of everything else , i suppose i just uninstall the lot in add/remove?

Pho · 3 Dec 2009 at 10:54

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/ is sometimes useful

.

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 10:55

how easy is it to do a reformat on a new pc , do i need a disc?

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:03

it seems i need to do a backup first and create discs using the acer e-recovery program , if i do this then do a complete re-format would i get the useless acer software back , or would it be a clean install of windows ?

thanks

SiriusB · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:19

The recovery discs are usually a copy of the recovery partition on the HDD. So if you reinstalled using those discs you will get a re-crapified computer and not a clean install.

I suppose you could contact Acer asking for an OEM CD as you want a clean install.

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:24

may not bother with a complete format but just uninstall the rubbish , one last thing in the acer erecovery managment should i just do a factory default backup onto cd or a complete full backup ?

if its new would factory default backup be best?

thanks again

Django x2 · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:28

As much as it invalidates any warranty, I also strip the Dell machines and, format and re-install. I find I get far less questions and issues from the people buying them if I spend the hour or so it takes to do this.

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:41

i think i understand now , a factory defaut cd i should create first , as for full backup thats best to do further down the line? as its a new pc

SiriusB · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:46

Pretty much. A full backup and factory default backup will be virtually identical on a new machine.

After you have created your recovery discs, you might want to make an image of your laptop's HDD after decrapification. Then if anything happens you can go back to a "clean" version first. Would save time over going back to factory settings and getting rid of everything again. You would still have the original recovery too in case anything completely ***** up happened!

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 11:53

thanks , do you happen to know if i need mywinlocker and a program called esobi or should i delete?

Devrij · 3 Dec 2009 at 12:20

Once you've gotten rid of all the crap, be sure to run Ccleaner or a similar regcleaner to clean out all the rubbish left in your registry.

ChileanLlama · 3 Dec 2009 at 12:22

Can you take a screenshot of what is in "Programs and Features" from Control Panel?

That will list almost all the programs installed, it should be then pretty easy to work out which ones have been installed by Acer.

I've configured a few Acer laptops, and found that they don't have too much junk on compared to some makes. But most of it will be safe to uninstall, there may be a program that controls the SmartKeys/AcerKeys and that could be useful for you to keep. a lot of it is going to depend on whether you want to use it or not though

SiriusB · 3 Dec 2009 at 12:40

All the software should be on a disc that came with the laptop. It'll almost certainly be on the Acer download pages, so if you do uninstall something you wanted, just go get it back

beachBOYken · 3 Dec 2009 at 12:46

ChileanLlama said:
Can you take a screenshot of what is in "Programs and Features" from Control Panel?

That will list almost all the programs installed, it should be then pretty easy to work out which ones have been installed by Acer.

I've configured a few Acer laptops, and found that they don't have too much junk on compared to some makes. But most of it will be safe to uninstall, there may be a program that controls the SmartKeys/AcerKeys and that could be useful for you to keep. a lot of it is going to depend on whether you want to use it or not though

to be honest ive not got it yet as its on order ,im just trying get everything sorted so i know what i need to do when i get it , as for the ccleaner is that safe to use on the registry once ive uninstalled unwanted programs?

Pawnless Endgame · 3 Dec 2009 at 13:26

SiriusB said:
I suppose you could contact Acer asking for an OEM CD as you want a clean install.

My firm had Acer as a supplier for the best part of a decade. In the few times that I requested for a recovery CD or an OEM CD, they insisted in charging us £50 for the privilege O.o

Dark_Angel · 3 Dec 2009 at 13:33

SiriusB said:
All the software should be on a disc that came with the laptop. It'll almost certainly be on the Acer download pages, so if you do uninstall something you wanted, just go get it back

This basically.

I try to nuke as much stuff as possible with pre built systems... lots of anti virus trials and the like usually clog it up.

NathanE · 3 Dec 2009 at 14:34

Microsoft calls this stuff "crapware". Unfortunately many OEMs are paid good money to put it on there and sometimes use it to subsidy the materials cost.

I think Microsoft should put the hammer down personally but can't see it happening at the moment.