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Cleaning a clean PC

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by willem07, 2006/10/16.

  1. 2006/10/16
    willem07

    willem07 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    I need to clean-up a new clean computer. Before installing anything I want to remove what I do not use, is resource hogging, waste of space or security wise a risk.
    It is running XP Pro, which I'm new to, and the shop added progs such as Google updater, Avira AntiVer and Nero Startsmart.
    Google updater unknown to me and I do not require such assistance, from what I can detect.
    AntiVer I do not require as I've been using another av for years and very happy with it. Before I install the other one, which I know will clash, what is the best way to do a clean uninstall of AntiVer?
    Ditto for Win firewall.
    Nero Startsmart 6.6 seems to combine a whole bunch of functions and I suppose I'll have to use it. Are there any TSRs running within Startsmart? I'm still using Adaptec/Roxio DirectCD (veeeeery old version) and with great success. Yes, I know it is old technology and most folk found that it will not run under XP, no patches available, pity.
    MSN, Messenger, all the games, Indexing Service, Internet services, etc I also need to uninstall or disable. Do not know which procedure is best.
    Anything else I should/could uninstall or disable?
    Thanks folks, any suggestions most welcome.
     
    willem07,
    #1
  2. 2006/10/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    From our discussion in XP Pro on virgin PC I assume that you have nothing to lose and that you have a retail WinXP CD. The simplest way of ridding the computer of all unwanted "extras" would be a clean installation using that CD.

    Think over your partitioning strategy and your imaging strategy. Create a few test images to the HDD in the USB enclosure to make you confident that it works the way you want it to. Restore an image too. Try to get it "right" from square one.

    When I clean install a fresh system, I avoid going online prematurely by downloading all updates to Windows, Office and other programs that I plan on installing and burn to CD/DVD. I have no peripheral devices connected, not even any internal HDD than the one onto which Windows should install. Create only the system partition during the installation. Create any other partition from within Windows Disk Management. When the first HDD has been set up, connect the next and so on.

    During the installation, I create several images at certain stages:

    1) Install Windows XP fully updated and tweaked - create an image
    2) Install Office and other "for keeps programs" fully updated and tweaked - create an image
    3) Install all peripheral hardware (keyboard/mouse, scanner, printer etc) fully updated and tweaked - create an image
    4) Install FireWall and AntiVirus, go online for the first time and fully update - create an image
    5) Install other programs that come in new versions on a regular basis - create an image

    This provides several "basic images" to which you can return if the need should arise. They can come handy sooner than you think. Once, the installation of a printer messed everything up. Without the preceeding image, it would have been a "start all over" situation.

    When the system is up and running, a monthly image with the new updates to Windows/Office is created.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2006/10/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    ... and:

    - You don't have to use Nero StartSmart, the programs can be launched from Start > All Programs.

    - "MSN, Messenger, all the games" do not waste too many MB. In Messenger uncheck the box for "start with Windows" and "allow to run in the background ". In the AV, if the option is there, uncheck the box for "scan Messenger ". After that it never bothered me.

    - Do not mess with the sevices unless you know what you are doing. Indexing Service (resource hog), Remote Registry (security), Secondary Logon Service (security), System Restore Service (you don't need System Restore using ATI) are better off being Disabled. A few others if you are not on a network can be set to Manual. Go google on "Windows XP Services" and you will find a lot of opinions and recommendations but think twice (at least) before implementing any changes.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  5. 2006/10/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    After having visited a few of the sites on services, I notice that some of them discuss "removal of services" which can be the cause of confusion. Never ever remove a service. Any service associated with a program will be removed by the uninstallation of said program. Tweaking services does not include removing them in any other way than setting to Manual or Disable.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2006/10/16
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I fully agree, most uses shouldn't fool around with these.
     
    Arie,
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  7. 2006/10/17
    willem07

    willem07 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks Christer, yr scenario with a clean install from scratch very logic but then I will again be stepping back and a new learning curve. Luckily the "unwanted extras" not too many I’ve been able to remove Google updater and Avira AntiVer. Win firewall I first disabled and then went thru the process of attempting to uninstall but it seems due to not having been connected yet it stops before completion. I suspect I’ll be able to install my own firewall w/o problems.

    As for services I do not want to hack but there are services running that are not essential and I’m ref here to Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger) and not Windows Messenger.
    Windows Messenger - although I do not use any chat prog/function of a kind I know that it is tightly integrated with OE, remote assistance, etc, etc. I have heard of complications when fiddling with it and I do not intend to scratch that deep. As far as I know I can disable it from within OE?
    Yr warning noted and Arie about tweaking and not removing.

    I can always at a later stage look at the services again once I’ve made a few backup images to fall back to. My firewall will quickly indicate should a service is attempt to contact home
     
    willem07,
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  8. 2006/10/17
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Yes, I forgot about that but it seems like there has been changes in Outlook Express.

    I did this installation immediately after the release of SP2 (two years ago) and in addition to the changes to the settings in Windows Messenger itself, I unchecked a box for "autologin on Windows Messenger" on the "general tab" in Outlook Express but I can't find it anymore. It is not unlikely that an update has removed the "integration ". I also notice that the icon (Windows Messenger) which appeared in the notification area when Outlook Express was started, no longer appears.

    I thought that I was paying attention to changes ... :rolleyes: ... !

    Good luck!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  9. 2006/10/17
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi willem07,

    As Arie and Christer posted, do not attempt to uninstall any Service.

    About WF in particular. WF was designed to startup if the 3rd party firewall fails to start up. So you might think about leaving the Service for WF enabled but disabled in the Security Center, they are two different settings. Usually, a 3rd party firewall will disable WF on installation if it finds WF running.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #8
  10. 2006/10/19
    willem07

    willem07 Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Christer - I checked and found that option under General and unchecked it, neat tip, thanks.
    The OE version I’ve got is 6.00.2900.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158, older than yours maybe?

    Thanks Charles, from past experience I know that two firewalls on the same system can cause awful hassles but that is two 3rd party firewalls. I’ll just keep the Win firewall disabled at this stage and check once I’m connected. It could well be that Win FW is the exception to the rule but I’ve never actually tried to find info on that.

    I’ll now give this thread a rest and concentrate on partitioning and check my options.
    Thanks folks!
     
    willem07,
    #9
  11. 2006/10/19
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I have the same version and I still can't figure out when that option went missing.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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