Help Save Me

Question

I have really had it with Vista and all the value-detracting add-ons that came with my Dell Inspiron E1705.   I am not a computer whizz, and I don't enjoy tinkering with the system. What I want is for it to start up and run the applications I want, and there are not a lot of those.   Initially I felt I was chopping through a jungle with a machete because of all the garbage that continued to pop up every time I booted (and while using the cmoputer). That Google and just about every other vendors' products were preloaded is appalling, particularly in the fact of having to figure out Vista and IE 7, both of which were new to me at the time of purchase.   Amost nothing I needed to use would work without a patch from the application's developer, and that was not always available. I have still not successfully installed and run QuickTime, and continue to get pleas to register my McAfee software and Corel Snapfire.   Instead of a stable and efficient system, I lurch and creak along, with the computer inexplicably giving me a black screen or freezing for no reason, or try to work with long, long dealys where the cursor freezes. Once in a while the system slows to a full stop until (I guess) is a security scan I did not request or initiate.   Disk defrag? It takes at least four hours. What's up with that?   When I bought this I requested XP, but was informed that changing operating systems would cost extra time and money. Unfortunately I went ahead and got Vista. I am so sorry I did.   How about a clean system disk without all the added baggage? Just Vista, noting else?

Rebel9 · Answer

Yes, there are a lot of 'extras' that come preloaded on a Dell machine, but why don't you just uninstall those that you don't want or need. Some users simply use the OS installation CD/DVD and perform a 'Clean' installation of the OS without any of the extras. While this certainly works, I have found that simply getting rid of the 'offending' applications works just as well.

cuznsteve · Answer

Well, try a clean install with a format.........                    put in DVD Vista , turn off your machine , turn on your machine and hit F12 right away , over and over , then pick cd rom device, then choose CD DVD ...hit enter, twice in a row real fast , you only have 2 seconds for the second hit .....then after 'clean install', under drive options hit 'advanced'and then pick 'format'.But May I recomend calling DELL at 1800 buy-dell and get a techy to help , or try this on your own first ....you can always do it over again and again till you get it right , like I had to .            Now.......can anybody tell me how to get a Windows Vista Owners Manual ?I am dying to do things I previously had asked advice for from techies , but want to do it on my own .Like import Photo CD's.....and duplicate DVD movies. I've done these, but forget how . I need a manual , paleese.

gdwrnch3 · Answer

Rebel9 is correct. You don't need to format and reinstall. Just go to control panel>add remove programs, and remove the stuff you don't want.   Good luck, jd

kirkd · Answer

Download pc decrapifier tp help in removing junk software.

http://pcdecrapifier.com/download

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 163.75), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

C3PO5 · Answer

How about a clean system disk without all the added baggage? Just Vista, noting else? Hi Start with MCafee,goggle,aol,earth link and whatever junk you find and remove them you will be better off doing that. Good Luck!

Rebel9 · Answer

Yep - download and install MORE software to get rid of software. Certainly makes sense to me............ ???????

discostu668 · Answer

caepio,   when using older software, sometimes a patch or software update is required to run with vista.  that's really not a big deal.   like a lot of other people have said here, just remove the garbage you don't want/need by uninstalling it.    and the recent version of quicktime should work with vista without any problems.   btw, sometimes you have to tinker with your system in order for it to run smoothly.

Caepio · Answer

Hello

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post constructive ideas and information. I fear that I cluttered my own message by mentioning two topics - how poorly Vista runs, and Dell added software issues.

My primary issue is with Vista. I cannot access the Administrator account; I cannot boot in Safe Mode; QuickTime has never successfully run; Flash has never successfully run; it takes over four minutes to boot or shutdown; I cannot clean the Vundo virus from my computer. Thanks also to McAffe for miserable service.

My support contract was expiring and Dell wanted $300 or more for renewal if I remember correctly. No way! This computer plus operating system has been a pain since the first day, and if there were a better choice I'd buy it today. And I'd much rather chuck this piece of garbage in a river and use the $300 toward a new, better computer.

By the way - I do not tinker with the computer as a hobby or for amusement. I bought this to work for me. Having to dig up part numbers, revision numbers, version numbers, model numbers, and other arcane information, going to vendor websites, trying to figure out which driver to download, waiting on hold for 30 minutes to over an hour, and then downloading, installing and rebooting multiple times is NOT my idea of how to spend hours and hours of time.

Dell did NOT do me any favors when they produced this Edsel of a computer Vista package. Not by a long shot.

discostu668 · Answer

i can only speak from experience, but:

1. vista runs smoothly, it always has. what are your system specs?

2. i have been running both quicktime (the last 3 or 4 versions) and flash (version 8 and CS3) with no problems.

3. get rid of mcafee. try AVG and i believe it's free (and i've been told Nod32 is a good anivirus program).

4. have you tried wiping your HD and reinstalling vista? that would give you a clean, fresh start with no viruses and unwanted software.

5. if you have just the one account on your system, it should be the administrator by default.

Caepio · Answer

Hello and thank you for taking the time to give me your helpful suggestions. Let me respond:

Several people I know have not had serious problems with Vista - but I do. The computer is more than adequate to run that OS. Neither Quicktime nor Flash run at all, despite numerous uninstall/install. Real Player doesn't work properly either. I'll look for another anti-virus, you are correct. I can't wipe my hard drive where I am - a foreign country - and that will have to wait until I am home again. It looks unavoidable. I do have only one account, and it is in the administrator group with administrator privileges, but it is not THE administrator account. Some specialized tools will not run unless I am in that account, not just an account belonging to the administrator group. And what is with not being able to start in safe mode?

Thanks again.

Windows General

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