View Full Version : Spyware preinstalled on Dell Dimensions
Mister Natural
06-30-2005, 03:55 PM
I normally purchase Optiplex and Precision models for our company, but occasionally get a Dimension here and there. I noticed on the Dimensions if you go the the add/remove programs there is "My Way search assistant". So I click to remove it and it says it will be uninstalled on next reboot. Fine, only thing is after reboot when you go to add/remove it still shows up. I'm not asking how to clear that out, I can handle that. Just an observation.
So then I do a little digging further and I see Wild Tangent installer residing in one of the Dell support directories. I delete that before someone executes that.
Summary - a lot of cleanup to do on a new Dimension. Be advised.
4b5eN+EE
06-30-2005, 04:06 PM
may i suggest just reinstalling XP? thats what i would do if i bought a dell
Rich Tate
06-30-2005, 04:09 PM
^^Nothin says lovin like a nice wipe and reinstall :D
evildre
06-30-2005, 07:45 PM
I own two Dell laptops (Inspiron 8100 and Inspiron 600m) and never even saw the default OS install. The first thing I did after I took it out of the box was insert the OS disc they came with, format, and reload :D
exabyte
07-01-2005, 10:47 AM
When use to have Dells I always formatted when got it, the software on OEM's is usually crap.
weasel2htm
07-01-2005, 12:59 PM
A couple years ago I setup a Compaq presario for a lady and transferred the data off her old unit, after seeing the Yahoo toolbar and other bloatware, I ran ad-aware, 15 objects on this fresh out of the box PC.
Rich Tate
07-01-2005, 01:17 PM
Ya alot of the big names are packaging some form of malware in the machines out of the box. How malicious it actually is, thats subjective. Call me old fashioned, but I like the word CLEAN in clean install.
tazzmissionx
07-01-2005, 01:43 PM
most HP/Compaq computers come installed with WebTangent, even though you can a little fun playing some of their games, but WebTangent has a little fun of their own with your computer.
Lazy_Moron
07-04-2005, 12:10 AM
most HP/Compaq computers come installed with WebTangent, even though you can a little fun playing some of their games, but WebTangent has a little fun of their own with your computer.
Yep that is so true. I have a HP computer. Man this thing was loaded with every Webtangent product out there. Luckly, Webtangent is known in every spyware scan, that after I uninstalled all the games powered by Webtangent from add/remove programs, and ran the cleaners, there was no traces left.
I think the problem is that AOL/AIM started bundling Wild Tangent, so any computer that comes with recent AOL and/or AIM preinstalled will have the same problem. :mad:
At least on Dells, you can deselect AOL during configuration and that junk won't be included.
Josh_B
07-06-2005, 12:38 PM
As others have said:
First thing to do when you open the box is boot with the OS install CD... ;)
n64man120
07-06-2005, 01:00 PM
As others have said:
First thing to do when you open the box is boot with the OS install CD... ;)
QFT Exactly. But Dell gayed me and didn't include a OS CD. I had to run some program in the OS and it burned one for me :rolleyes:
lozaning
07-07-2005, 03:23 AM
on my friends new hp you dont ever get a cd, they have like 5 gigs devoted to a recovery partition.
Josh_B
07-07-2005, 05:04 PM
on my friends new hp you dont ever get a cd, they have like 5 gigs devoted to a recovery partition.
You could use your (legally purchased) media on a different PC, including one that doesn't come with media. When it asks for the CD key, simply use the CD key you were given with your new PC.
apHytHiaTe
07-07-2005, 05:24 PM
Guys, I'm sorry to burst a bubble, but Wild Tangent has been documented to be a False Positive. Just because spybot s&d picks something up, doesn't immediately mean its spyware.
That's all, and thanks for the heads up about reformatting dells, I'll be sure to ad that to my work todo list.
Guys, I'm sorry to burst a bubble, but Wild Tangent has been documented to be a False Positive. Just because spybot s&d picks something up, doesn't immediately mean its spyware.http://www.wildtangent.com/default.asp?pageID=privacy_webdriver
The Wild Tangent driver collects systems information and sells that information to 3rd parties. Even though it "does NOT collect personally identifiable information" doesn't make it a false positive. Further, it attempts to prevent removal by not including an uninstaller in control panel. It's spyware.
ScreamingBroccoli
07-07-2005, 06:05 PM
If you get an HP and need disks, besides the recovery partition, just give them a call and they'll fedex em out and you'll get them the next morning =D
m0unds
07-08-2005, 10:16 PM
inspiron 8600 here--- first thing i did when i got it out of the box and plugged in was reinstall windows with the provided disc and setup my dualboot. lovin like no other. works perfectly for me. :)
machwireless
07-08-2005, 10:20 PM
i am glad i stumbled on this thread. i got an inspiron 6000 yesterday and tech support is telling me to take the dang thing apart already. But I didnt get a disk with my laptop. what should I do?
m0unds
07-08-2005, 10:43 PM
i am glad i stumbled on this thread. i got an inspiron 6000 yesterday and tech support is telling me to take the dang thing apart already. But I didnt get a disk with my laptop. what should I do?
did you buy it new from the factory? if so, they should have included one, and if not-- you should be able to get one from them... mine was packaged as a "system restore disc" with "Windows XP SP2" in tiny little letters.
vsrdan
07-08-2005, 11:04 PM
I have a GX280 in the office and it sounds like a lawn mover when I use ANY Adobe (or any other "big") application. Heat waves coming from under the table (it is kept under the table) is very good in the Winter. Jeeezzz... I don't know why people still buy these :mad:
I have a GX280 in the office and it sounds like a lawn mover when I use ANY Adobe (or any other "big") application. Heat waves coming from under the table (it is kept under the table) is very good in the Winter. Jeeezzz... I don't know why people still buy these :mad:
My GX280 is pretty quiet (P4 551, 6600GT, 1GB, 2 hard drives, etc). The 84W P4s that Dell ships don't even run that hot.
machwireless
07-09-2005, 11:53 AM
did you buy it new from the factory? if so, they should have included one, and if not-- you should be able to get one from them... mine was packaged as a "system restore disc" with "Windows XP SP2" in tiny little letters.
No all I got was a stinking WordPerfect disk (I hate apple products). I did see the spyware thing on the PC but I deleted it. Imma have to call Monday for the Restore Disk because Dell seems to think its business customers dont operate on the weekends.
twyztyr
07-09-2005, 02:55 PM
I hate Dell loading all that extra shit onto the PCs. I do tech support for a large broadband ISP and I constantly get calls from people that have their systems completely bogged down by stupid shit out of the box.
m0unds
07-09-2005, 09:01 PM
lots of consumers *like* that stupid shit. which is why they give people who don't the capacity to remove it from the box without voiding their warranty. some people don't like OE boxes, some do. some like all the shit they put on them, some don't. it's a mixed market.
lots of consumers *like* that stupid shit. which is why they give people who don't the capacity to remove it from the box without voiding their warranty. some people don't like OE boxes, some do. some like all the shit they put on them, some don't. it's a mixed market.:D
The worst junk that slows down bootup and/or use are AOL garbage (which includes Wild Tangent) and McAfee internet/anti-virus stuff. Both of those can be excluded during configuration, but like you said, many people want that junk. McAfee is the worst, especially on limited memory systems (256MB) since it slows the system to a crawl at default settings.
The rest of the bloat is:
Dell support, which isn't resource intensive but makes Dell's troubleshooting job easier
Dell tutorials, online manuals
trial software like jasc picture studio and paint shop pro (neither loaded at start up)
digital line detect, keeps you from frying an analog modem by plugging it in a digital office phone line
DSL sign up, mostly icon pollution
WordPerfect, really, no one uses this :p
I don't reformat new Dell systems. It's much easier for me to kill the dell support task and just remove it and the rest from add/remove programs. That takes only 10 minutes vs 40-45 minutes to reinstall Window and all device drivers.
m0unds
07-09-2005, 09:30 PM
exactly exactly exactly
i didn't even really look at what was installed prior to wiping the drive. i just wanted to know exactly what was on it, without any stuff installed from Dell..so i did my dualboot ditty and reinstalled xp. all is lovely.
and oh man do i agree w/you about mcafee being a severely bloated resource hog. that pisses me off so bad. why the HELL can't they make a decent consumer-level antivirus/security suite anymore? they used to be so much better.
/rant.
ALSO- if you think your optiplex 280 sounds like a lawnmower.. you should hear any of the machines i have in my office. any of them. my desktop and my bitchserver are by far the worst, though-- both have crazy-loud fans in them. (Delta 60mm on the server and Vantec Tornado 80x38 on the desktop) ;)
NinjaZX6R
07-09-2005, 10:00 PM
I think there is another point to be mentioned here. Everything that comes with a dell is paid for by the customer. So, you are paying for that installation of windows that all you guys delete right out of the box. For that reason, I think Dell should offer the option of no operating system. Seems like a waste of time and money to load an operating system that the user will not use. I'd be angry....
-Collin-
machwireless
07-09-2005, 10:48 PM
I think there is another point to be mentioned here. Everything that comes with a dell is paid for by the customer. So, you are paying for that installation of windows that all you guys delete right out of the box. For that reason, I think Dell should offer the option of no operating system. Seems like a waste of time and money to load an operating system that the user will not use. I'd be angry....
-Collin-
They do have that option but to my knowledge not on laptops
compslckr
07-09-2005, 10:55 PM
i always start with a fresh install of windows xp sp2. on my gateway laptop i never even booted it up before i reinstalled windows on it. I wish that companies would stop bundeling so much software with their computers and insted just include it on disks that the user can install if he/she wants to
machwireless
07-09-2005, 11:23 PM
Well, my inspiron 6000 will logon to wireless networks but i cannot surf. even when i plug my cable modem into my ethernet port, same thing. i can ping out but i cant surf. i have checked all the settings and they match my home PC and that works fine. What setting am I missing that would keep me from surfing?
compslckr
07-09-2005, 11:30 PM
Well, my inspiron 6000 will logon to wireless networks but i cannot surf. even when i plug my cable modem into my ethernet port, same thing. i can ping out but i cant surf. i have checked all the settings and they match my home PC and that works fine. What setting am I missing that would keep me from surfing?
is your hosts file correct? how about proxy settings?
you can try running the winsocks fix (google that)
machwireless
07-09-2005, 11:36 PM
i dont have any proxy settings. i could understand it not working on other wireless networks and maybe even my home network but a direct connection should have worked with no prob.
machwireless
07-10-2005, 03:11 PM
is your hosts file correct? how about proxy settings?
you can try running the winsocks fix (google that)
thanks for the advice but it turned out that the Norton Internet Security was blocking all traffic even when I listed exception. Loaded AVG and uninstalled Norton and it works perfect now.
:) :) :)
Tazman2
07-12-2005, 04:43 PM
I hate Dell loading all that extra shit onto the PCs. I do tech support for a large broadband ISP and I constantly get calls from people that have their systems completely bogged down by stupid shit out of the box.
I'm a MIS Tech and EVERY new Dell that we get i spend atleast 30-45 mins removing all the useless crap! Strangely the Dell Laptops we get are much cleaner...
Rtstrider
07-14-2005, 10:54 PM
There's a good article on spyware blacklist in July 2005 issue of PC World pg.165-166 It explains blacklisting....If anyone has that magazine check it out and you'll understand better where the spyware my not be spyware....
coolrelax
07-17-2005, 12:30 PM
I purchased a dell dimension 9100 recently and all i recieved was a wordperfect disc as well, then yesterday when i was about to replace the home xp with the pro i had noticed in the start menu there was a utility that allows you to create 1 backup of the operating system.It tells you to enter a cd-r and goes though the process of creating it.If i recall it was under one of the dell programs.
No all I got was a stinking WordPerfect disk (I hate apple products). I did see the spyware thing on the PC but I deleted it. Imma have to call Monday for the Restore Disk because Dell seems to think its business customers dont operate on the weekends.
SuddenDemise
07-20-2005, 05:06 AM
My parents just bought a new HP desktop and have the same problems except worse....Spyware, Adware was friggin everywhere (180searchassitant, Bullseye Network, ShoppingDeals, WhenU...just to name a few) its crazy...It takes like 20min to shut down there comp and about 10 to start it....They just got cable internet yesterday and it does even run as good as its supposed too....OEM PCs sux so bad....I keep trying to tell them to just go pick up a new copy of WindowsXP but they think I'm dont know anything about computers and that the 3computers I built that are sitting at my apartment just came out of thin air :rolleyes:
My parents just bought a new HP desktop and have the same problems except worse....Spyware, Adware was friggin everywhere (180searchassitant, Bullseye Network, ShoppingDeals, WhenU...just to name a few) its crazy...It takes like 20min to shut down there comp and about 10 to start it....They just got cable internet yesterday and it does even run as good as its supposed too....OEM PCs sux so bad....My HP only came with WildTangent installed, and an installer for weatherbug.
The firewall is also on by default and HP/Compaq systems come with Norton Internet Security. Your parents' spyware infestation happened despite all that. :p I'm going to have to go with them ignoring all the warnings and confirming each install, probably due to misleading instructions on the sites ("This site requires..."), or just clicking and installing junk in pop-ups.
Just be super paranoid. Adaware, spybot, AVG(free)/Norton/Windows anti-virus (free download?/preinstalled?), ctrl-alt-del and check running processes under your username and google any suspicious .exe's. Hijackthis! and a reg cleaner to take it even a step further, but those can do harm if you're not completely sure what you're doing =)
My dimension 4550 used to shutdown slow, load up slow, the works
I took an hour or two to probe deeply, and it's been nice and fast since. I also use FireFox over IE, which helps.
Wow Dell is getting a little payoff for that maybe thats how there offering such cheap prices...? dunno
SuddenDemise
07-22-2005, 04:37 PM
My HP only came with WildTangent installed, and an installer for weatherbug.
The firewall is also on by default and HP/Compaq systems come with Norton Internet Security. Your parents' spyware infestation happened despite all that. :p I'm going to have to go with them ignoring all the warnings and confirming each install, probably due to misleading instructions on the sites ("This site requires..."), or just clicking and installing junk in pop-ups.
Probably, they dont know what the hell there doing, they just click on anything that pops up, but i do know there was quite a few preinstalled spyware/adware programs on there....
tiebird321
07-25-2005, 02:28 PM
Thought....
your one of the top 5 Computer makers (IBM, HP gateway .....)
a dodgy company offers you $1 for every computer you ship to include thier software that will sit in the backround and collect info but not interact with the customer so unless someone goes digging it will never be noticed
do you say yes or no? :confused:
obviously we know what the price of customer care and loyalty is for Dell ;)
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