[mypenry]

Ive got my first new computer and just been looking through what’s been installed on it by the manufacturer , being new to computers I’m not too sure about the installed items, ive searched some of them, but they seem to be shown on ‘crack’ type web sites ..?
Can any one offer me advice as to what’s useful or not as I want to delete if not useful. This is the list ….( sorry its a bit long )
Its running on Windows XP Pro Media Edition & IE6

WinXP Manager V4.95

WS_FTP Professional 2006.0.1.0 release

Cyberlink Power DVD V6.0.2023.CJL Delux Retail Edition

DivX Player 6.0 ( DVXA)

File.Recovery.Pro.V7.0

GetDataBack.for.FAT v2.31

GetDataBack.for.NTF v2.31

NTI.Ripper. v2.0.0.8 Retail Incl .Keymaker ZWT

Palthai 3.3

Regedit for XP

Slysoft.AnyDVD.v5.8.1.1

Slysoft.CloneCD.v5.2.7.1Multilingual.I

Task.Switcher.Powertoy

TweakUI.2.10.Powertoy

Winamp.Pro.v5.13

WinRAR,v3.51.Final

WinZip.Professional.v10.0.6685

Thanks.................. Mypenry

 

[Skifer UK]

I would keep all of them they are very useful programs why would you want to delete them anyway some software might be needed for your computer to run properly.

 

[mypenry]

thanks .....Skifer UK
The programs shown on the list have not been activated yet, and Ive not needed to use them , so I was thinking of doing some house keeping, many of the programs I don't really know how to use .

thanks.....mypenry

 

[koala]

I would have to guess, by the way the titles are written and the fact that one of them has Keymaker in the name, that most or all of these programs are pirate copies. The dots between words and the hacker group IDs in the titles are in the same format as those you find on P2P share lists. Any of them could contain malware.

If it was my computer I would uninstall them all and run some antivirus/spyware programs.

 

[mypenry]

Thanks ..Koala .
The preloaded programs came with the computer, ( Acer E 500 ) could I use one of my security scanning programs that are all ready running Ok( NOD32, AVG -Antispyware etc ) on the computer to scan out each file...? I have many other programs riunning ok that also came pre loaded , but I found the above list of programs on the ( E ) Drive, which are not yet activated or running..?
Thanks ..... Mypenry

 

[Girderman]

Generally it is discouraged to have more than one AV program installed. Do you have any problems/symptoms ?

Koala is right, the existance of cracked software (if it is) means you have malware concerns.

 

[koala]

It might be a better idea to download and install the latest versions of your security programs from the official websites. Any preloaded software could be suspect.

Open the E: drive in Windows Explorer and go to the folder with all these programs in, but don't run them. What format are they? (exe, rar, zip, etc)

Did you buy the computer from a reputable retailer and do you have the Windows CD?

Run the scans and if they find anything suspicious or if you would like one of our security analysts to diagnose your computer, please follow the instructions here.

 

[mypenry]

Thanks....Girderman the security programe ive installed are....
NOD32
AVG-AntiSpyware
a-squared
spywaerblaster
Ad-Aware SE personal
SuperAntispyware
CCleaner
The computer is running normal, but ive not as yet activated any programs on the list , or thought i needed to as the computer came with a lot of other preloaded programs which seem to run OK, like NIT Backup Now 4 , NIT CD & DVD-Maker , Adobe reader 7.0 , ACD System Etc.... Ive only just purchased this computer from ACER, so the though of pirate copies , makes me wonder
( But this is Thailand after all ) if I don't use the listed programs and there's a possibility that some of the programs have a virus Etc, may be its better to delete them all...?
Thanks ....Mypenry

 

[koala]

If the computer came from a reputable dealer rather than, for example, bought from someone off e-Bay, then it's less likely to be infected. Is pirate software common in newly bought computers in Thailand?

I'm still suspicious about the names (eg "CJL Delux Retail Edition" and "WinRAR,v3.51.Final") which look very similar to the name formats used by filesharers. Also, some of the programs are full professional versions, not shareware or freeware.

Open the E: drive in Windows Explorer and go to the folder with all these programs in, but don't run them. What format are they? (exe, rar, zip, etc)

 

[mypenry]

HI Koala, ive had a look and it seems that all the programs are .exe
even the keygen is exe..? The computer came with a set of 5 Acer recovery CD's ...? just not sure now what to do next... don't want to upset my new well running computer..? if none of the programs have been activated and ive not wanted or needed on of them , could I move them all off my HDD to some where else for now..?
Thanks...... Mypenry

 

[koala]

If you don't need or trust them, they can be deleted. It's advisable not to run any software that you don't know the source of. It could be legitimate, but you would expect Acer to have included some sort of documentation about what they preinstalled, especially full professional versions.

As for your security software, if you trust their source and believe them to be reliable, then you've got a good collection of programs there. Remember, you only need one antivirus program but you can have several antispyware programs. See here for more details.

 

[mypenry]

Again thanks..Koala,

I will leave the programs alone , until I decide what to do next , if over the comming months I find I don't need any of them I will them delete them
better safe than sorry !!!

Here where I live its almost impossible to fine a genuine programme, but I would have thought a large company like Acer, would think twice about loading non genuine programs onto their products ..? but as ive said many times This is Thailand ....

many thanks for your help, and I will post any devlopments....

Mypenry

 

[Kalim]

Thanks....Girderman the security programe ive installed are....
NOD32
AVG-AntiSpyware
a-squared
spywaerblaster
Ad-Aware SE personal
SuperAntispyware
CCleaner

Hi

Keep only one AS, AV and firewall running and disable the others for only scanning purposes.

A company will not install frauded copies but would've purchased a license to sell onwards.

You should keep these all:

Cyberlink Power DVD V6.0.2023.CJL Delux Retail Edition >>
DivX Player 6.0 ( DVXA) - obviously good for multimedia
File.Recovery.Pro.V7.0 - good undelete utility
GetDataBack.for.FAT v2.31 >>
GetDataBack.for.NTF v2.31 - good undelete utilities
NTI.Ripper. v2.0.0.8 Retail Incl .Keymaker ZWT - rip Cd and DVD
Palthai 3.3 - Crack software by NapadolXP! Maybe given preset to activate a key provided by the company. I would RID
Regedit for XP - needed to enter the registry
Slysoft.AnyDVD.v5.8.1.1 >>
Slysoft.CloneCD.v5.2.7.1Multilingual.I - obviously good for multimedia
Task.Switcher.Powertoy - like it says
TweakUI.2.10.Powertoy - v.good for tweaking XP and controlling many aspects of it.
Winamp.Pro.v5.13 - Good for burning Cd's etc
WinRAR,v3.51.Final - Good file archiving utility
WinZip.Professional.v10.0.6685 - same as above
WinXP Manager V4.95 - leave
WS_FTP Professional 2006.0.1.0 release - FTP program

 

[hwm54112]

I agree with Kalim. I doubt very much that Acer would install fraudulent copies of software. there liability is way to high. if anything, the .exe programs are probably demo versions

 

[mypenry]

Thanks Guy's for all the advice, and comments I will just leave the listed programs un activated for now , and may be try them later , any problems I will post the outcome..?

Thanks ... Mypenry

 

[Kalim]

You're welcome :smile:
Have a nice Xmas!

 

[mypenry]

Thanks to all and best and a happy Christmas from all of us here in Thailand
I lookforward to posting again in the new year ,

Thanks...... Mypenry