Help Needed To Get Maker's Bloatware Off Second Hand Compute

kelticwizard

A friend of a friend got a second hand computer from his brother, Windows XP. Runs slow as molasses. After turn-on, up comes something called Compaq Organize that never quite seems to load, plus some games, possibly by Compaq, which also seem unnecessary. Lots of other baloney that his nieces put on that he says he can live without.

I understand that bloatware from the manufacturer frequently comes back on even after you go to the Control Panel and do the Add/Remove thing. I vaguely remember reading some instructions involving the registry.

I didn't ask him if he had the disk, I would doubt that he does.

I came across this program, DeCrapifier, and wonder if anyone has any experience or knowledge of it, or if they can recommend a similar avenue to get manufacturer's bloatware off the computer.
http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

Any help would be appreciated.

nevadacrab · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 479 Location: Henderson, Nevada

http://pcdecrapifier.com/

kelticwizard · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:40 am Post subject:

Nevadacrab:

Have you used this program?

Just wondering if it goes down to the registry or if it is just the equivalent of going to Add/Remove.

Corrine · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:06 am Post subject:

From BleepingComputer about Compaq Organize - Add or Remove Programs Entry Information .
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nevadacrab · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 479 Location: Henderson, Nevada

kelticwizard wrote:

Nevadacrab:

Have you used this program?

Just wondering if it goes down to the registry or if it is just the equivalent of going to Add/Remove.

I have, but not sure how deep it goes. Another idea could be Revo Uninstaller
http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/...ag=mncol;1
Very deep uninstaller.

kelticwizard · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:19 am Post subject:

Corinne:

From the BleepingComputer site:

Quote:

Name: Compaq Organize
Description:
Add or Remove Programs entry for Compaq Organize. Compaq Organize is a tool to quickly access your favorite files, programs and web sites. This tool comes preloaded on Compaq Desktop PCs and is easy to customize. Simply drag and drop files and web links into Compaq Organize, then arrange them any way you like.

Uninstallation Command: RunDll32 C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\Ctor.dll,LaunchSetup "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information\{D0122362-6333-4DE4-93F6-A5A2F3CC101A}\Setup.exe" UNINSTALL

On the XP computer I will be using this on, how to I get to the screen to write this in?

kelticwizard · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:22 am Post subject:

Nevadacrab:

Reno Uninstaller definitely looks like a keeper. I especially like the ability to go down to the registry and eliminate those entries. I think I will be using that if DeCrapifier doesn't clean up the mess.

Much thanks. Grin

Corrine · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 8:58 am Post subject:

Decrapify may/should allow removal of Compaq Organize. On XP the click Run and then type cmd to launch the command prompt.

With it being an old computer, make sure that there are not multiple/old versions of Java installed. Not only are they unneeded and take up unnecessary space but also a major malware target.

You can also use Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk by searching your disk for files that you can safely delete. You can choose to delete some or all of the files. It can also be used to clear all but the most recent System Restore point.

First, create a fresh restore point:

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click System Restore.
2. Click Create a Restore Point, and then click Next.
3. Name your restore point. (i.e., clean)
4. Click the Create button.
5. When the new restore point has been created, click Close.

Now select the files to be removed as well as all but the new restore points:

Click start-->Run and type cleanmgr into the run box and then click "OK".
Select the drive where Windows is installed (if you have more than one drive) and click "OK".
When the scan completes, check/uncheck desired boxes.
Next, please click the More Options tab at the top.
Click the "Clean up..." button under the System Restore section at the bottom.
Answer Yes to the question "Are you sure you want to delete all but the most recent restore point?".
Click OK and answer Yes again.

The disk clean up utility will remove the selected items. When it completes, please restart the computer to properly record the changes made to the hard disk.

After uninstalling, removing all the unneeded program, I'd suggest running Temp File Cleaner. Follow that by defragging the computer.

Info on TFC: Download TFC by Old Timer from here (direct download): http://www.itxassociates.com/OT-Tools/TFC.exe

First, save any files as TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!
Double-click on TFC.exe to run it. If you are using Vista/Windows 7 right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator.
Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process and let it run uninterrupted to completion.
Important! If TFC prompts you to reboot, please do so immediately. If not prompted, manually reboot the machine anyway to ensure a complete clean.

More info:
TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder. It also cleans out the %systemroot%\temp folder and checks for .tmp files in the %systemdrive% root folder, %systemroot%, and the system32 folder (both 32bit and 64bit on 64bit OSs). It shows the amount removed for each location found (in bytes) and the total removed (in MB).

Before running, it will stop Explorer and all other running applications. When finished, if a reboot is required the user must reboot to finish clearing any in-use temp files.
-- TFC only cleans temp folders.
-- TFC will not clean URL history, prefetch, or cookies. Depending on how often someone cleans their temp folders, their system hardware, and how many accounts are present, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or more. TFC will completely clear all temp files where other temp file cleaners may fail.

TFC requires a reboot immediately after running. Be sure to save any unsaved work before running TFC.

When all is said and done, if you would like further assistance, I'd be happy to take a look at DDS logs. (Instructions in PC Protection forum.)
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kelticwizard · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 16:08 pm Post subject:

Much thanks for those instructions. I have copied and printed them and when I go over to his house, (we missed connections today), I will definitely implement them.

Now the next thing-I don't think he has protection on the computer. Since Microsoft Essentials is Vista or Windows 7 only and he has XP, I was wondering if this program would be a good choice for him to put on the computer for protection.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_security_essentials_xp/

plodr · Administrator Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 7411

Not sure where you got the idea the MS Security Essentials is only for Vista and 7. I'm running it on three XP computers.

Go here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-xp
scroll down and you will see the download link.

Corrine · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:49 am Post subject:

Indeed, MSE works on Windows XP.

With a free A/V, a software firewall will also be needed. I haven't used it myself but PrivateFirewall works on Windows XP (info in this LandzDown thread: Privatefirewall ).

Note: It is always recommended to download programs from the vendor site whenever possible.

Particularly with Windows XP, I recommend SpywareBlaster to prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (tutorial at Bleeping Computer: Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware, Hijackers, and Malware ).
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