It is faster, and certainly cleaner, to reload Dell machines from the
restore disc included in the shipment. Keep it off line until you have
your base anti-virus product installed then go on line for updates to
the AV - first. Completely removing all the garbage that ships with the
machine will take longer than a complete rebuild. Since you are
rebuilding with the restore disc, you don't have a licensing issue.
Don Bosman
Information Technologist
Libraries, Michigan State University
100 Library
East Lansing, MI 48824-1048
[log in to unmask]
(517) 432-6123 ext 233
Fax (517) 432-8374
-----Original Message-----
From: MSU Network Administrators Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of John Gorentz
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MSUNAG] Google on Dell computers
A handful of new Dell computers is on its way to us. I wonder if they
come pre-installed with this Google "spyware."
http://www.techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?newsid=8930
Yeah, that's a fairly broad definition of spyware, and this stuff
doesn't seem to include the "personalization" features that are the ones
I really would not want on our computers. I'm not sure there are even
any "call home" functions in it. Just the same, there is no good
reason to trust these people, given their checkered history on privacy
and civil liberties issues. And I'd like all of our browsers to
operate the same out of the box. If nothing else, it's a good
windmill-of-the-day to tilt against.
It sounds as though there are several components that need to be removed
if one doesn't want it. Has anyone seen a complete, definitive list.
I've seen some discussions about what to remove, but nothing remotely
authoritative even by internet standards.
I'm also wondering if the MSU Computer Store routinely negotiates terms
that would keep such things out of MSU-purchased computers, at least.
(I suppose this forum is not the authoritative source for information on
that, though!)
John Gorentz
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