The Dell De-crapifier

[RedjackRyan]

I end up doing a lot of work on friends computers, one of the biggest requests i get is to remove all the OEM bloatware that is installed by the big name manufacturers.. I came across this little script for taking the crapware off of Dell machines.. I have not yet had chance to test this however.. I am providing the link as is.. With no guarantees.

the article and link to the script can be found at:

http://www.yorkspace.com/2006/04/38

The De-crapifier removes the following

QuickBooks Trial
NetZero Installers
Earthlink Setup Files
Corel Photo Album 6
McAffee Personal Firewall
McAffee SpamKiller
McAffee VirusScan Online
McAffee Security Center
Google Desktop
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
America Online 9.0
Musicmatch Jukebox
Musicmatch Music Services
Run Registry Keys:
“BuildBU” - Part of Dell Alerts which provides customers with an update on latest updates. Can be run manually as needed
“DVDLauncher” - Belongs to the Cyberlink PowerCinema video viewing software which allows you to play DVDs on insertation. This program is a non-essential process, and is installed for ease of use.
“ISUSPM Startup” and “ISUSScheduler” - InstallShield Update Service Scheduler. Automatically searches for and performs any updates to the software. Can be run manually.
“msci” - Used for McAffee Security Center
“MSKDetectorExe” - Part of McAfee Spamkiller
“QBReminderFlash” - QuickBooks
“QuickTime Task” - Tray icon that you can use for quick access to the QuickTime application and additional settings. Can be run manually.
“RealTray” - Tray icon that you can use for quick access to the Real Player application and additional settings. Can be run manually.
“SunJavaUpdateSched” - Updater for the Java Runtime Envronment. Can be run manually
“DellSupport” - Agent that offers additional support and update features for your Dell computer or laptop. Can be run manually.

[Judy]

Redjack, thanks so much for this information. My brother has a Dell laptop and it runs along just fine and then shoots craps. My friend reloads it, then it runs along fine for a while and then hits the same routine. We will definitely run this de-crapifier!
Judy

[Des]

I wonder if it would work for the little Dell pop-up that reminds me to order ink from them when I'm low. Dell being the only ink company in the world ya know:rolleyes:

[Wildflower Fever]

I wonder if it would work for the little Dell pop-up that reminds me to order ink from them when I'm low. Dell being the only ink company in the world ya know:rolleyes:


I have a Dell, too, and I wonder, is there really no other ink you can use? I believe my Dell printer is a Lexmark, so why can't I use Lexmark? I think there's a Dell store at the Mall of America, I'm thinking I should be able to buy it there as I hate waiting a week for ink that I need now. Other than that, I'm not sure what folks are talking about as far as Dell's crapping out. Of all my friends, including myself, who've updated their PC's slightly after 2,000, I'm the only one with a Dell and the only one without problems. Runs great, and has never slowed down, of course I am meticulous about spyware and virus removal. Also, I understand the McAfee stuff is installed during system setup at the factory, but I wouldn't recomend removing it, I recomend using their service over Norton, for example. I've found their service excellent, yet quite expensive (my bundle is about $100 per year).:D

[DaveM]

I don't know if this is true of all Lexmark printers, but the ones that tend to come with a computer "bundle" retail for approximately the same cost of a replacement ink cartridge--and there don't seem to be any aftermarket cartridges available. I've been using Canon printers since 1997 as I can get aftermarket ink cartridges from various eBay sellers for $2-3 apiece--use three cartridges and you've saved the cost of the printer! Had one bad experience with one that conked out after three months (then again, I bought that one from a thrift store) but at the moment have been using my Multipass F60 for three years and have never had a problem with it.

Not sure if there are other printers one can get cheap ink for (though some Epson and Apple printers use Canon ink cartridges) but it's worth considering....$40 per cartridge as opposed to $3 per cartridge definitely makes a difference in the thickness of one's wallet if you do a lot of printing!

[Marcia Drummergal]

Dave, that is what I really resent about my Lexmark all-in-one. A pretty decent printer/scanner/copier but it frequently runs out of ink and the cartridges can run anywhere from about $25-$33 a pop. I tried a refurb one from "PrintPal" and it just flat out didn't work....maybe once!

I used to have a Xerox. I liked that it had individual cartridges for each color. That way, if you ran out of say, "magenta", you didn't have to buy an entire new color cartridge if all of the rest of the colors were there. When this printer dies, I am gonna do some serious shopping based on the consumables!

Marcia :mad:

[DaveM]

My Canon has the three separate ink tanks for each of the colors as well. I really like that--they last about six months each, and as I said, replacements are so cheap that it isn't even worth considering trying to refill them.

I know, I know, one isn't supposed to refill ink cartridges. My parents, however, when they discovered how much Lexmark cartridges cost, decided to risk it and the printer was still running fine when they upgraded after about five years.

[Chet]

Marcia - is your Lexmark a laser printer? Laser printer cartridges are all-in-one, whereas inkjet printers come with separate ink tanks which dry up if not used over a period of time. The quality of laser printers are better than inkjet, tho.

[Des]

I have a Dell, too, and I wonder, is there really no other ink you can use? I believe my Dell printer is a Lexmark, so why can't I use Lexmark? I think there's a Dell store at the Mall of America, I'm thinking I should be able to buy it there as I hate waiting a week for ink that I need now. Other than that, I'm not sure what folks are talking about as far as Dell's crapping out. Of all my friends, including myself, who've updated their PC's slightly after 2,000, I'm the only one with a Dell and the only one without problems. Runs great, and has never slowed down, of course I am meticulous about spyware and virus removal. Also, I understand the McAfee stuff is installed during system setup at the factory, but I wouldn't recomend removing it, I recomend using their service over Norton, for example. I've found their service excellent, yet quite expensive (my bundle is about $100 per year).:D

Yeah, mine is a Lexmark too covered over with Dell logo's. I first got the cartridges from Dell which were a staggering £50.00 each. Now I get them from an ink supplier at a very good price. They have always worked fine for me. I will PM you the link of the supplier Wildflower, I'm sure they del to the States.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Marcia - is your Lexmark a laser printer? Laser printer cartridges are all-in-one, whereas inkjet printers come with separate ink tanks which dry up if not used over a period of time. The quality of laser printers are better than inkjet, tho.

Can't afford a laser printer, especially not a color one! Mine is an inkjet. When I had the Xerox inkjet (before it died), it was great with separate ink tanks for each color. But the Lexmark isn't like that and it DOES tend to dry up quickly.

Marcia

[DaveM]

The cheaper Canons use the three-in-one ink tank as well....strikes me as extremely wasteful, since invariably one color runs out before the other two. Machines with separate ink tanks also have about five times as much ink in them as the three-in-one-cartridge--and the cartridges are no more expensive.

On the other hand, if you're going to try refilling cartridges, the three-in-one units seem to accept the new ink without making a mess. My one and only attempt at refilling a Canon color tank resulted in about 75% of the ink running down my arm. I don't think I'll bother again.

[Des]

My one and only attempt at refilling a Canon color tank resulted in about 75% of the ink running down my arm. I don't think I'll bother again.

LOL Dave. Did you have to align your arm afterwards?:D

[DaveM]

It definitely looked as if it was out of alignment....fortunately, it did wash off easily enough.

[RedjackRyan]

For what its worth, I generally suggest to folks that if you print more than a hundred pages a month, its more cost effective to get a laser printer.. Yeah they are more expensive in the short term, but long term they more than justify the cost as the consumables last a long long long time compared to the inkjets. Color lasers are of course even more expensive up front, but i swear i haven't added toner to the Xerox in our office in probably a year, and thats with 20 people using it semi-regularly.

As for low end inkjets, just buy a new printer when the ink runs out. Its about the same price.

[DaveM]

The major difficulty with inkjets is that there are two separate cartridge designs used by different manufacturers. Lexmark, by way of example, has at least part of the print head built into each cartridge, hence the high cost per cartridge. Canon and Epson (I think) printers have an integral print head and the cartridges are just containers for ink--consequently, cheap cartridges.

Have to agree with the Cap'n on low-end inkjet printers. When you can buy a cheap Lexmark for around $40 which includes a new set of ink cartridges, there is little point in paying the same amount for a replacement cartridge.

[RedjackRyan]

The lexmark cartridges also have some type of chip embedded in them, which probably explains why the replacement ink Marcia purchased from printpal didn't work correctly. I think HP and Canon also have similar chips in their cartridges, but so far i've been able to use third-party (Printpal) replacements in my HP at home without problem.

I've had success with refilling ink carts, just a little dab of hot glue to re-seal the hole and no leaking problems. YMMV

[Green Monkey]

The lexmark cartridges also have some type of chip embedded in them, which probably explains why the replacement ink Marcia purchased from printpal didn't work correctly. I think HP and Canon also have similar chips in their cartridges, but so far i've been able to use third-party (Printpal) replacements in my HP at home without problem. Lexmark tried to use the DMCA to prevent third party (OEM) cartridges from being made and sold for its printers. Lexmark sued such third party cartridge makers, claiming copyright infringement and violation of the anti-reverse engineering section of the DMCA. Fortunately, Lexmark got its ass kicked in court, which you can read here: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20050221-4636.html

The courts are not going to put up with blatently anti-competitive practices such as Lexmark tried to do. Why the cartridges mentioned above in the thread do not work I do not know, but the chip that RedJack mentions that Lexmark had previously embedded can be freely copied or reverse engineered and this has been the state of law for a while.

Best wishes,

GM :)

[Wildflower Fever]

My all-in-one Lexmark works just fine, although I probably don't abuse it. Most of my printing is work related, so I expense the cartridges, and If I'm not feeling like allowing the wear and tear, I'll use Kinko's and really stick it to the man, yeah!:D

[DaveM]

I re-sealed the hole--all the ink ran out anyway.

I should note that my comments on Canon printers may be out of date. In the past year or so they have completely changed their inkjet line, and I believe the new machines use different cartridges. So whether the cheap aftermarket cartridges are available for the current generation of machines I truly do not know. It's probably worth researching before you buy a printer...and with all the people selling ink on eBay, rather easy to do.

[Bat]

I find PrintPal to be a good deal...fairly inexpensive, and they use your old cartridges, just send them in and they refill them and send back. I have an HP printer, an inexpensive one, but it makes wonderful prints, especially on photo paper...I don't want another one, just give me the refills and I'm happy.
Less landfill, too. The cartridges do have the print head built in, so would be very expensive if I had to replace them every time...I do occasionally, but only when the refills are not working well; I imagine the heads do get worn eventually, but it takes a long time; years, actually, and you can refill a new cartridge several times, tho they say not to. (of course!)

[RedjackRyan]

Thanks GM, I missed that ruling against Lexmark. One victory for the little guy at last :)

[Dar]

Redjack and John...
I'm buying a new home computer through work and we are a 100% Dell office. I may be looking into trying out that Dell De-Crapifier, because I'm sure it's going to come with many programs and trials I don't want. Or maybe I could just uninstall them one by one? I don't want to screw up the warranty or anything.

I may be posting some screams for help next week when we try to set our new computer up and get our DSL configured properly. Who would be more likely to help me with that? Dell help line or my DSL provider? Of course if all else fails I'll be posting here.

[RedjackRyan]

I'd say your ISP is likely to be more helpful than Dell at configuring your Dsl connection.. but one never knows. There are some good broadband tweaking tips and tools over at www.dslreports.com and a very in depth faq on dsl, cable, and other types of connections.

Failing all those resources, you know i'd do anything to help you out sweetie :)

[DaveM]

Really wishing for a Hewlett-Packard De-Crapifier right now....