Tech Talk

I got a new laptop from Toshiba.  However it came with bunch of crap, factory installed software, like AOL, AT&T, and other crap I dont need.  

Should I re-install Windows XP to get rid of them?

Will re-installing Windows XP harm my computer?

I hate compaines bundling their stupid ass software with new computers.


Thanks

NewLaptop

Hi NewLaptop,

Some laptops require drivers that are not included in Windows.
Check if you need any of those before you attempt to reinstall.

The safest way would be to make a second partition and try it out on that first.

Regards,

Pieter

dang!  which toshiba did you buy?  i own a tosh tecra 8100 myself, and i was considering updating........

are you sure it's the software it's got installed, and not just links on your (various) desktop(s)?

No Links, all software. AOL, AT&T and more.

I decided to uninstall those.  Freed up lots of space.  About 1 gig.

The laptop also came with MSN Explorer, and MSN Messenger.  Do I really need those stupid ass software?

Now, I'm having problems with zone alarm.

Windows XP has its own firewall, is it any good?  Should I use zone alarm as well?  Where can I see Windows XP firewall working like zone alarm?  How can I tell its working like zone alarm?

I can't seem to access the internet when using zone alarm.  I know Services and Controller needs be "allow connect" in order to access the internet.  

But in Windows XP, I can't access the internet unless I let this weird(unknown) program set to "allow connect" in zone alarm.  In zone alarm, this unknown program does not show up, and on the activity icons, it shows up as "process 1164".  The number changes.

Does Windows XP have Services and Controller program?  Because I don't see it working.  I see Services and Controller on my other 2 Windows 2000 Server in zone alarm.

I bougth Toshiba Satellite A10-S169 Pentium4-M 2.2G from newegg for $999.  It has big display and its pretty good.  Last time I check newegg, the laptop went up $70.  I also bought 256 MB RAM.

Why does Windows XP use so much RAM?  When I start Windows XP, it already uses 172MB of RAM.

Thanks for your help

The XP firewall is only a one way portblocker.
So it only stops unsollicited inbound traffic. It does not alert you to unwanted outgoing traffic like a proper firewall should.
To disable it, since it could be causing your problems with ZA:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Regards,

Pieter

So Windows XP firewall is crap.

I have logon question.

How do I set it so on logon screen, the user has to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to logon.?

So far it I dont have to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, the logon on screen just comes up on boot up.  I just have to type my password.

Do I have to be in a domain?

i don't know exactly how zonealarm works, but that may be the 'system' service you're blocking.  try allowing it; see what it does.

to set ctrl+alt+del logon, START>CONTROL PANEL>USERS AND PASSWORDS.  check the ADVANCED tab.

I have a Toshiba labtop that came with SOME unneeded crap installed but not  that much. They gave me lots of trial software too, which I promptly removed.