Quicktime (Arrghh what have I done??)

I really really wanted to see something that had to be viewed with Quicktime, so I downloaded and installed it, along with its inseperable companion, iTunes. I disabled it from my start up, got rid of the icons, and tried to hack out iTunes (Nope, didn't work) I have a new process running now "Gear.exe ". Question is- what do I do? Can I safely keep this QT on my system, or do I need to uninstall it? I saw no acknowledgement of Spyware in the EULA (Yes, I read those things) except for Gracenote, which I already tolerate in MMJB. I might want to use QT again, but if it's going to be a problem, I'll get rid of it. Tell me what you think, and if there is anything I need to do to keep QT in check.
TIA
Johanna

 

If you are running Windows XP. System Restore comes in very handy here.

Make sure you have a restore point just prior to the new install.

Don't like what you get ? Just restore that point. It is gone.

I have found System Restore in XP to be very handy for that.

Just need to MAKE SURE that you have a RP just prior to the install of the new stuff.

DO NOT depend on XP alone for Restore points. I myself have yet to see it make one on its own.

BillyBob

 

I wonder why your XP refuses to make Restore Points? Mine does, faithfully, install after install. There are one or two every day, going back 2 months.

If my computer has a fatal system error in the next minute, I have lost almost nothing. Well, just lost the time to put everything right again. Discovering the freedom of a crashable computer was a Eureka! moment for me, and I have become much calmer and definitely more experimental (reckless?!?) user.

I'm not worried about the system- I can untangle Quicktime, et al, out of here if I want to, I am just wondering if I should? Leaving it in allows me to see things that previously were nothing but big boxes with red and blue triangles in the corner on some pretty cool websites. If QT isn't going to be a problem, and is sincere that it is not spyware, then it can stay. If QT doesn't play nice, it has to leave- bye bye!

Johanna
and what is this iTunes, anyway? Why would anyone want to buy songs they can only play back in one format? If I like some music so much that I want to own it, I'll buy the cd and rip it, then do whatever I want with my music. Years ago, we did the same thing with albums and cassettes, and the music companies did not go out of business.

 

I've had quicktime installed on this system for two years (disabled from startup) with no ill effects. Nice to have when it's needed.
It is also the default viewer on my laptop and other than always prompting me to upgrade before opening has caused no problems, and isn't picked up as spyware/adware by Spybot or AdAware.
Think PeteC is on the right track with dumping iTunes.

 

I wondered too. But I quit wondering and make my own when needed.

You and me sure do things differently.

I agree that System Restore is SUPPOSED to make an RP before installs. Well I found that sometimes it does and sometime it don't. That is why I lost faith in it. If I check and make one myself I know for sure it is there. And contains ( or Lacks ) what I want.

And I do not take it for granted that it is there either. I check MAUNALLY before messing around with anything.

Win98SE NEVER failed to make the reg backups just as long as I had scanregistry in the startup group and restarted Windows at least once per day.

As of this moment I only have one RP. One made just before doing some serious house cleaning this morning of stuff that I never ( or at least have not ) use(d) for a long time. Got rid of abour 10-15meg of stuff. And if nothing falls apart in the next couple of day it will be gone too.

BTW. I just checked and see that Quicktime in installed on here. I also do not have it loading at startup.

BillyBob

 

Pete C
I downloaded QT from a link on the page I was trying to view, and it was not the link you supplied. I went back and checked, and there was no option to separate iTunes from QuickTime on that page. So I got rid of all of it, rebooted, and downloaded QT from your link, w/o iTunes. Guess I'll keep QT- it isn't doing any harm, and it sure is convenient to have it on hand so that I can see the clips when I want to. I disabled it from the Start Menu (Thank you, Mike Lin for making start up so easy!) and all is running smoothly.

My computer experience has taught me to somewhat suspicious (okay, borderline paranoid!) and I do try to keep this system clean. It makes it easier for me to manage, because I'm a habitual tweaker (okay, the truth is, I can't stop myself!) and I do try out a lot of different software, just to see if it will (or should) work for someone else.

Thanks, everyone!

Johanna

 

FWIW, Irfanview /w plugins will play Quick Time movies just fine.