SUMware
Premium
join:2002-05-21
| Dell rejects spyware charge
From The Register:Dell has rejected allegations that its PCs come pre-loaded with an intrusive application that spies on users' surfing habits. The equipment manufacturer said there was nothing untoward about My Way Search Assistant despite complaints from customers that the toolbar impairs computer performance, changes browser settings and is difficult to remove.
Anti-spyware firm Sunbelt Software defines My Way components as a "potential privacy risk" that pose a moderate threat to users. |
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md911
join:2004-05-17
Los Angeles, CA
| It is difficult to remove from the IE browser. If users dont want it, then it should be their choice and not DELL. This seems to be happening with their newer PC's. I just bought an Inspiron a month ago and have dellmyway4say.
It is very supsicious that this particular folder should be difficult to remove. |
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rgillis70
Premium
join:2002-12-30
Herndon, VA
| reply to SUMware
I just wish the thing would fully un-install. When we get a new Dell - I select it for un-install, and of course it says it will happen on the next boot, but it always stays there.
Maybe just a glitch in the installer package - but frustrating anyway. |
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Steely
Dumped Comcast for FiOS
Premium
join:2000-10-15
Princeton Junction, NJ
| reply to SUMware
said by SUMware  :Dell has rejected allegations that its PCs come pre-loaded with an intrusive application that spies on users' surfing habits. Anyone who has tried removing "My Way Search Assistant" via "Add or Remove Programs" knows that there will be an unpleasant surprise waiting for them after the reboot. Regardless, Dell shouldn't be preloading My Way in the first place. |
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JamPony9
Premium
join:2004-12-08
Austin, TX
| reply to SUMware
It is indeed spyware, if the description in the Register article is accurate, no matter what Dell says.
The best thing to do with a new PC is to obtain all necessary drivers and patches, put them on CDR, then format the disk and install a fresh copy of your favorite OS.
If your choice is Windows, a full retail copy is expensive, but has important advantages. It is transferrable from one PC to another; saves you from a forced up(or down-)grade when replacing the PC; avoids any unwanted software; and assures that you have a backup if needed. |
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md911
join:2004-05-17
Los Angeles, CA
| reply to rgillis70
I dont think its a glitch but rather intentional. Dell probably don't want owner removing it easily. DELL also put a hidden partition in the hard drive, makes you wonder why this was done. Yes, they claim incase something goes wrong with the lapptop you can restore it to its original state. I dont use IE anyways... |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Verizon FIOS
| said by md911 :DELL also put a hidden partition in the hard drive, makes you wonder why this was done. That's a standard feature of some OEM machines; it's called an 'EISA configuration partition', and I think it's used for storing utilities that can be run from the firmware.
Absent documentation, it wouldn't seem to be very useful. But that doesn't make it suspicious. |
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richrf
join:2000-04-08
Chicago, IL
| reply to SUMware
I was kind of getting cold on Dell products already. I just spent a ton of time cleaning a Dell laptop of all the junk they put on the systems nowadays. Now, for sure, I will not be buying any of their PCs in the future. It isn't worth the time and aggravation - not to mention the fact that they are loading up the system with stuff to track my usage. As far as I cam concerned, they can figure out other ways to make money. Not a cent from me. |
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NyQuil Kid
8f The Nyquil Kid
join:2001-01-06
Brick, NJ
 ·Comcast
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to SUMware
I like Dell desktops, but I always wipe and reinstall right after delivery - I do, however, feel sorry for those who aren't familiar with that task (aka average Joe) and has to put up with that nonsense.
[8F] The NyQuil Kid
--
[8F] The NyQuil Kid comes into town not looking for trouble...n00bz gang up, but he ain't seein' double,...pulls and draws, his deagles two...n00bz litter the ground you know it's true. |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
| reply to Steely
said by Steely :said by SUMware :Dell has rejected allegations that its PCs come pre-loaded with an intrusive application that spies on users' surfing habits. Anyone who has tried removing "My Way Search Assistant" via "Add or Remove Programs" knows that there will be an unpleasant surprise waiting for them after the reboot. Regardless, Dell shouldn't be preloading My Way in the first place. On my copy of XP that I get with my work laptop - it does nto even give me the OPTION to remove it... I would like to find a way to remove it as it si a work PC and do not have all of the programs I need - like a full copy of Oracle.
--
Brian
America's Army Forum Moderator and America's Army Beta Tester |
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dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio | reply to SUMware
Are current Dell machines shipping with a genuine XP installation CD (as opposed to a 'restore CD') ? |
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hpguru
Curb Your Dogma
Premium
join:2002-04-12
| said by dave :Are current Dell machines shipping with a genuine XP installation CD (as opposed to a 'restore CD') ? My Dell (a few months shy of a year old) came with a Dell branded installation CD. Supposedly the restoration files are on the disk in a third hidden partition, but it doesn't work. I tried to restore after COM+ got hosed and was forced to reinstall instead.
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feverfive
join:2005-06-16
Omaha, NE | reply to SUMware
Just bought a Dell Inspiron 9300; first thing I did was re-format & reinstall, nuked all factory partitions. This is my first Dell, but I had heard of all the bloat that is installed at the factory. |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
| reply to dave
I have not seen anything but a restore CD for the Dell's at any of my work places for the last couple of years. Even the desktops that were 3 years old had restore cd's.
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Brian
America's Army Forum Moderator and America's Army Beta Tester |
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hpguru
Curb Your Dogma
Premium
join:2002-04-12
| reply to SUMware
Mine is even labeled "Reinstallation CD". It seems to have all the same files the retail disk has including a couple folders added by Dell. All the drivers and additional software are on different CDs. One of my clients has the same Reinstallation CDs. When I had occasion to use one of them recently the installation progressed no differently than it would have with a retail disk.
--
Get hpHOSTS! Member ASAP
Downing St. memo: BUSH LIED, YOUR SON DIED.
REMEMBER 1776! NEVER FORGET! |
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BlackSpider
join:2003-03-07
UK
| reply to SUMware
I have just bought a Dell desktop only a couple of weeks ago.
Here in the UK at least, Dell does not ship any CD's at all now; so no drivers and no OS on disc. Now, they are all on a separate partition on the hard-disc.
Looking at their forums, this policy now seems to be in the States as well.
The only CD which is still part of the package is the Monitor one. |
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gracie
Geek Goddess
Premium
join:2003-07-15
confusion
| reply to md911
said by md911 : DELL also put a hidden partition in the hard drive this "hidden" partition (easily seen by just unhiding it, or when you use a tool like acronis true image, etc.), usually about 16 Mb. and formatted as FAT, is indeed a "restore" and "rescue" partition. if your active partition (usually c:, whereever windows is installed) gets hosed, the machine is set to make this one active and allow you to still boot it.
while i also clean off the dell crap immediately (and agree that it is a PITA), i leave this "hidden" partition, as it actually saved my butt once when i hosed my c: partition. there doesn't seem to be any "crap" on that partition; YMMV! if you also reformat all your drives when you first get a machine (as some of us do), AND reformat/unpartition this one as well, you'll need either a current image or a real windows installation CD to get a really clean install back.
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glynmiester
Ni
join:2001-02-15
Providence, RI | reply to SUMware
Looks like Dell is well on they're way to becoming like Packard Bell |
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novaflare
The Dragon Was Here
Premium
join:2002-01-24
Barberton, OH
| said by glynmiester :Looks like Dell is well on they're way to becoming like Packard Bell Na packerd bell only has 2 4 and 8 meg vid systems. More like compaq and hp and their not on their way they already are at least with their advertiseing scams. Essentialy conning customers in to thinking that 300 dolor dell heap will run all todays newest software. They love to qoute specs on hd space ram and cpu or some times just cpu and hd depending on model. Some times they qoute cpu ram and hd specs because the comp has tons of ram 1 gig 100 gigs hd space p4 yada yada yada but the video is like 16 megs shared. They typically have no agp slot so your limited to a pci vid card (say a nvidia 5200 pci includeing the flawed gpu or a ati 9200 or 9250 depending on if your in use or ca).
Im a gm in a couple games answering tech tickets regarding errors etc is what i do most of the time. I commonly see isues regardign errors on dx or the games failign to load. After some diggign and questions often times it turns out they just bought this brand new top of the line dell compaq or hp qouted specs high cpu high ram and hd space nothign about the vid card. Turns out in all such cases the most these people have are 32 meg video systems on their comps that do most d3d in software emulation aka slow as crap.
Sorry for the rant but it was sort of ontopic. You buy a named brand thats what your buying the name.
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glynmiester
Ni
join:2001-02-15
Providence, RI
| Absolutlely... unless you buy a Dell that Costs $2000 or more , from any techs point of view its a disposable POS i get more and more of these so-called Budget PCs ($399)from Dell on my bench lately than almost any other brand, and when ... no more rants , sorry for going off topic |
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