all this advertising crap

Living-Dead-ChildLiving-Dead-Child Detroit New
edited October 2008 in Science & Tech
two questions:

01. What is the name for the garbage that is installed on the operating system when you get it from such repituable companies such as acer or compaq. You know what I mean, all the ads, and the icons that say "hot deals now!" that you just cant get rid of.

02. What are your rights regarding getting a clean copy of windows with a computer you buy. compaq and acer has restore disks that put all that crap back your computer.


Thank you all.

Comments

  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2008
    1) It's affectionately known as "crapware."
    2) Some manufacturers can be strongarmed into providing a copy of Windows, if you're very lucky. Otherwise you just have to grin and bear it. You don't have any actual right to a clean copy.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited October 2008
    Hey Noel. Long time no see :)
  • Living-Dead-ChildLiving-Dead-Child Detroit New
    edited October 2008
    Hey Noel. Long time no see :)

    Thank you. Good to be back. I went to shortmedia.com and was sooo confused!!!!
  • Living-Dead-ChildLiving-Dead-Child Detroit New
    edited October 2008
    Thrax wrote:
    1) It's affectionately known as "crapware."
    2) Some manufacturers can be strongarmed into providing a copy of Windows, if you're very lucky. Otherwise you just have to grin and bear it. You don't have any actual right to a clean copy.

    Thank you for the quick reply. I have three follow up questions

    01. Is it legal to say, use someone elses copy of windows whatever, install it on your computer, and use the regestry key that came with the computer?

    02. More importantly, even if it is not legal will it work?

    03. If it does not, is there a guide somewhere on the net about how to strip all the excess crap out so you are just left with what comes from a clean copy of windows?


    Thank you again!
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited October 2008
    1) Ambiguous. All Microsoft truly cares about is a legitimate key, so The Man won't be after you.

    2) The only thing you have to keep in mind is that the key that came with a system won't work with a copy of Windows that was bought off the shelf. The one with your system is an OEM key, versus the retail key from the brick'n'mortar Windows box. If your friend has an OEM copy of XP on CD, though, you can use your key.

    3) You can use the PC Decrappifier to hit some big-name targets, but you'll need elbow grease in the Windows add/remove programs wizard to put a bat to what it doesn't catch.
  • Living-Dead-ChildLiving-Dead-Child Detroit New
    edited October 2008
    I love you all
  • WinfreyWinfrey waddafuh Missouri Icrontian
    edited October 2008
    ccleaner I have also found to be useful for getting rid of stuff and also getting it out of your registry. A little easier than manually doing it.
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