Think Twice before switching to Windows!

I know. I got an Pavilion A500N, loaded with crapware. Need I say more?

 

Mmmm, wow, that's quite a lot of problems to have, doing something that ought to be self-explanatory....

As far as this is concerned, there are two "desktops" that are combined, as I understand it, for any given user -- a default one, and then any modifications the individual user makes. I think that when you install apps as an administrator, the icon is placed on the desktop for all users. And if you delete such an icon from any account that has the capability, it disappears for everyone.

There are a few things like this in the Windows architecture that are designed in a surprising way. I just found out inadvertently that Trillian is designed so that all users are available regardless of who is logged into the Windows account. If your user is set to be the default login, then someone who logs into the same computer with a different Windows account will instantly have access to your IM contact lists and accounts without having to password into it. And maybe even your chat history.... Ugh. I'm glad I found it out while the someone else was logging into the computer and asking for my help.

 

I love Windows Xp...only if Bill Gates gave me a billion dollars.

 

How are you getting adware if you just turned it on for the first time? Either you quickly installed some programs (you mention McAfee as well as uninstalling programs?), or you have some very good questions for whoever imaged it... Your scenario sounds like a computer with viruses/spyware/adware?

 

I hate how none of the major brands give you a full install disks for your machines. For the most part they partition your HD.

You know what gets to me about SP2 is the damn mouse scroll. Other than that Xp isn't that bad, but highly overpriced.

 

Well if I was you I would have a serious beef with whoever did the Windows install and software setup, as they obviously screwed something up. I would try a restore install of Windows (or a completely fresh install if you don't mind that hassle).

 

On XP, sometimes icons disappear from both, or are added to both and sometimes not. It depends on if it is specifically for that user account or if the program affects all accounts. You shouldn't have that many problems. I'm using a 4.5ish year old XP without any of these problems. Of course, I have service pack 1.

 

Well you do realize you guys are comparing Apples to Oranges right? (sorry had to go for it)

A "clean" install of Windows on a properly configured box with the correct drivers runs just fine. Also knowingly using Internet Explorer when there's Firefox is like passing out in a frat house wearing a wig and a dress.

 

I agree, I find this thread slanderous. I have both pc's and a mac. If you know even a little you should not have any problem.

Try a fresh install. Use windows update to get all the updates.

Install newest versions of all the drivers.

Enjoy.

 

A small problem with that. Most PCs come with no restore CDs and the backup image that they put on a partition on the HD is an exact copy of what was installed on the computer from the factory image. You cannot pick and choose what to install. It is either all or nothing.

Now, it has been a while since I bought a PC. I build my own and install only the software I want on it. There very well might be a program like Pacifist that allows you to extract what you want from the restore CDs, but I do not know that for sure.

 

The problem is that the OEMs don't even give you the install disc for Windows anymore. They create a partition on your hard drive with Windows on it and they make you to burn a CD of it, with the crapware. Cutting corners

 

Hmm, if you can get your PC up long enough, can you make a disk image of the recovery CD and use something like use http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html to slipstream a clean SP2 disk?

I did that with the reinstall CD I got with my last Dell, but that was from four years ago and things have maybe changed since then.

Anyway, you did get an emachines after all. You get what you pay for.

Edit:

If you have access to a copy of the XP install, you can do what I suggested above.

 

well a lot of your problems look hardware related. The CMOS problems you had raise a lot of red flags that something hardware wise is wrong so not all the problems are windows fault. Yeah windows is bad but it looks very hardware related and maybe just a bad install

 

you love winblows XP? GET OUT

j/k, you can stay, I am just screwing around with ya!

 

Perhaps then, I could love Windows......maybe......