Removing crapware on new Sony VAIO laptop

STU9000 · 24 Feb 2012

OK Macafee is gone, although it did try to entice me to keep it by making me think it was free for an unlimited time. Just turning off some start up and services programs, whatever that means, PMB, MDX.Cloud Pin, ISB Utility, IviRegMgr, Protexis Licensing V2, Bluetooth software (I wont use it) and everything to do with adobe although I'm thinking I might have to turn some of them back on...

Basically anything that looks like it shouldn't be there, I've turned off and will look into removing possibly.

gregrocker · 24 Feb 2012

Why would you have to turn any of them back on? Is wireless connected when you restart after unchecking everything except MSE?

STU9000 · 24 Feb 2012

gregrocker said:

Why would you have to turn any of them back on? Is wireless connected when you restart after unchecking everything except MSE?

I don't know what they do, maybe I will need them for something. Not using wireless yet, not got it on the internet. Keyboard had gone black and only lights up when I use it now.

gregrocker · 24 Feb 2012

Do you want the keyboard lighted? Google each item in msconfig>Startup to see what it does before turning off if you want some of those features. Remember you can always turn them back on if you miss them.

STU9000 · 24 Feb 2012

I googled most of them and the ones that looked liked third party crap I blocked, keyboard still lights up but goes off when I don't type, not sure what I did..

STU9000 · 25 Feb 2012

How do you get this to boot to dos? Looking for clues on the internet but finding loads of sites that say you can't???

EDIT After a process of elimination I managed to find it- F2

STU9000 · 25 Feb 2012

gregrocker said:

When you're ready here is the latest official Win7 installer iSO download with SP1: Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download

Burn to DVD or write to flash stick using Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool

You got a copy of that for VISTA? Going to try a clean install on my mum's computer next time I am home.

STU9000 · 25 Feb 2012

When I installed Microsoft security essentials it asked me to uninstall any other antispyware, but I wasn't sure what was on there. However I just saw that windows defender is on there, but apparently it's 'off' whatever that means. I guess that means it's 'off' right? Anyway should I uninstall that now, will it or has it possibly caused a problem with MES? Or does that work with MES? I have no idea...

EDIT Microsoft Security Essentials is designed to turn off Defender so as to avoid any conflicts, so I just learned.

Just running a full scan using MES now which is taking ages, after that I'm going to have a look at uninstalling some more programs I don't need and run CCleaner.

All good so far, but I've not got much of a clue what's all going on under the hood. Hoping this time will save me frmo having problems in the future though.

gregrocker · 25 Feb 2012

Just follow the steps in Clean up factory bloatware making sure to check System file integrity as you go.

This looks like the most solid Official Vista ISO link:
http://en.community.dell.com/support...t_os/3317.aspx

STU9000 · 25 Feb 2012

OK, I missed out this step-

Monitor whether bloatware uninstalls have corrupted System files by running SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker. Irreparable system files resulting in Performance problems can sometimes be remedied without reinstall by a Repair Install.

Seemed a bit complicated, is this step more important than I gave it credit for? Should I do it now after I've installed MES?

Thing is I'm still kinda decided what bloatware to remove..