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#61
Bloatware is usually trial software . Toolbars .
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BloatwareBloatware
The term "bloatware" may be applied to software that has become bloated through inefficiency or accretion of features as outlined above. Confusingly, the same term bloatware is also commonly used to refer to preinstalled software on a device, usually included by the hardware manufacturer, that is mostly unwanted by the purchaser. This may account for up to 45% of pre-installed software on a new device.
The term may also be applied to the accumulation of unwanted and unused software elements that remain after partial and incomplete uninstallation. These elements may include whole programs, libraries, associated configuration information or data. The impact over time may be resultant deterioration of performance as the unwanted software or software components occupy memory, waste processing time, add disk I/O, consume storage and cause delays at system startup and shutdown. In the worst cases, the leftover software may interfere with the correct operation of wanted software.
We use the term in its generally accepted meaning, bold part in the quote.
There are a few Dell/alienware programs those are bloatware. Also some Device drivers are there which are not any must, system native drivers work better. Some of them ....
And in some other place ....Code:Start Menu\Programs\AlienRespawn Start Menu\Programs\Alienware Start Menu\Programs\Alienware\Command Center
Also there are some programs like Pegtop or FreeRAM.Code:AlienFX Controller "c:\program files\alienware\command center\alienwarealienfxcontroller.exe" Public HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Follow Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 it will give you the best possibe windows installation which will maximize windows performance.
Freeram was an 'old favorite' that I ended up never using anymore since it became pointless. Seems Windows RAM management became better as compared to XP, for which it was designed for. I actually completely forgot about it.
Pegtop is from Pstart, I actually actively use it to store all my shortcuts in, as alternatives have rarely proven as efficient.
(Quick Start in past Windows OS versions has always been slow and jittery, Start has limited space before it gets uncomfortable, RocketDock is limited in the same way, etc...)
AlienRespawn should actually be stopped from automatically starting. I have no desire to make huge backups of my system in any different sense that I couldn't rely on the system's own recovery options for. I tend to keep as much as possible either backed up on my External Hard Drive or Dropbox, another old favorite.
Command Center has confused me in it's purpose, but I think AlienFX won't run without it.
AlienFX is the one handling the keyboard (and other buttons) lighting. If the lighting would work without it, I'd uninstall it in a heartbeat. As it stands, I have no idea but I fear the worst. Any advice or knowledge you could share about it?
I pride myself in not having any Toolbars and such. They feel like lice in my hair and tend to not stay long on any computer I manage actively.
Just to add:
This is showing again ROOT\LEGACY_ATKSGT\0000
Refers to: part of a Copy Protection platform developed by Tages SA
Driver: atksgt.sys (actual driver not showing in logs)
so perhaps this one as it also a Tages SA driver:
Driver:lirsgt.sys
Dated: Sat Mar 06 19:53:01 2004
http://www.tagesprotection.com/main.htm?page=minimum.htm
And also not sure how this is back on your system , didnt we sort that one in post #29?
(and i double checked that that was the latest crash log after my earlier mistake :))
WinRing0x64.sys
Dated: Sat Jul 26 14:29:37 2008
many different programs that center around the using of the WinRing libraries (RealTemp, Corsair Link2 (known BSOD issues w/Win8), Razer GameBooster, etc)
OEM - none at Winring
cheers
Dave
I'll have to check that one at home. I've installing nothing recently except for both Arma II games and the DayZ mod, all through Steam. (because I like to torture myself)
And Source Filmmaker is in the process of downloading, although the laptop is not running at this very moment.
(I tend to find it a bad idea to let my laptop run in my absence)
The winring file is not present in the drivers folder.
There seems to be nothing installed from Tages, so I don't know whether it's safe to simply rename lirsgt.sys and reboot to see if it throws up an issue. Would that be advisable?
Could someone confirm whether uninstalling all the Alienware applications except AlienFX will keep AlienFX functioning properly? As said, I really desire to keep the lighting effects as they are almost a must in dark situations.
In terms of Memtest, wouldn't Dell's Diagnostics Tool suffice? I ran it shortly before I started this topic, and the results were positive on the RAM. I've known it to properly detect RAM damage before, as it did the last time it was damaged (a few years or so ago) and I was sent a replacement.
I've been clearing out my Startup systematically now, disabling the option in the programs themselves first and then checking whether they're still staying there, keeping the two clear as ordered. Sometimes even going as far as uninstall a few programs I probably won't be using again.
I'll also closely be following the Clean Up Factory Bloatware page, as it seems rife with good advice. Many of which I've already applied for years. Especially tip 3 & 12.
Also, it seems tip 15 is incorrectly numbered as 13. I figured you guys would want to know.
I'm not entirely sure what the purpose of the Akamai things on my laptop are. Can they be safely removed?
Regardless, I just cleaned up Startup per instructions and am going to reboot after I've posted this, then I'll get started on the Ricoh Drivers and see how the Keyboard lighting plays with AlienFX disabled. If it just remembers the last coloring state it's in, I can live with it.
I would also like to opt against doing a clean reinstall. I am currently satisfied with my computers performance, it's just the BSOD's that tend to ruin the good mood. Especially since I always disable Motion Blur and most Shadows in a game, they're features I rarely notice and tend to be demanding.
I'd personally only consider the option when I feel I really am stuck in a situation. I know that's the last thing you guys want to hear, but I know how much time and effort it would take to recuperate savegames and backup any Steam games I haven't yet, etc. Then reïnstalling it all back. With that in mind, I still consider this very situation salvageable.
EDIT:
- I've updated the Ricoh Drivers. Went flawless.
- FATrayMon enables itself again on Startup.
- Coincidentally, AlienSense and AlienRespawn are back in my Tray.
- The Keyboard lighting seems to still work fine despite AlienFX seemginly not running. Don't know if the other Alien-programs handle AlienFX.
Last edited by RJtheShadow; 16 May 2013 at 13:35.
Hi,
Yes, rename lirsgt.sys to lirsgt.sys.old and see if any issues arise, if not delete :)
I suggest to run memtest, and I still do
cheers
Dave
So, I've renamed it, rebooting didn't throw up any issues.
An hour or so later, I started downloading a file holding a few Gmod models I wanted to import to Source Filmmaker. A few minutes after this download started, I suddenly got a new BSOD. I'm not saying anything is related, but I figured I might as well try and perfectly retell the occuring events.
Dump should be below.
I'll set up the Memtest asap.
Your logs are not showing anything definitive, we should see what the outcome
of the memtest is.
Perhaps check and ensure all networking/wireless devices are updated?
cheers
Dave
Alright, a report is most certainly in order!
The first memtest for 7 passes showed 32 errors, this was on both RAM sticks.
The second test on stick #1 for somewhat 5 passes showed no errors.
Same result for stick #2 in the same slot for about 4 to 5 passes.
Placing stick #1 in the second slot for about 5 passes had no result on errors either.
Stick #2 in the same slot for 7 passes provided no errors.
Placing both sticks back, but in reverse order than they were in originally, provided no errors for 7 passes.
Both sticks are identic, save for the brand. One of which was a sent replacement by Dell themselves. When I had damage on one a year or so ago.
My hypothesis is that the sticks maybe were budged a little loose. I did switch them around a few times in response to the BSOD's.
I could test them in reverse slots, but the problem is: The last test took over 20 hours. The tests as a whole took quite long, I'm glad I finally got some time to play a few games again. Surviving on Youtube videos on my smartphone and lengthy naps can't cut it forever!