OEM Software

[HotelUser]

This isn't a dig at Windows or Microsoft at all because they're not responsible for doing this.

I've just been reformatting an HP laptop and it's crazy. I wouldn't mind if they preinstalled Chrome and flash, Windows Live Messenger but they put ebay shortcuts on the desktop, French games (Canada), some sort of Accessories icon and a horrible HP toolbar and wifi manager along the top of my screen and so many more pointless utilities.

Why do they do this.

[AgnesIO]

I assume they get something out of having eBay there? Games are standard?

Couldn't you just click remove, I know it might take two minutes but it isn't really a problem imo :p

[iJoe]

My laptop came pre-installed with Vaio everything, deleted most of it but really annoying stuff you'd never use.

[HotelUser]

I assume they get something out of having eBay there? Games are standard?

Couldn't you just click remove, I know it might take two minutes but it isn't really a problem imo :p

Usually yes, there was well over 20 different HP things that needed removing, it just takes a long time is all because you can only do one at a time :P

[GommeInc]

This isn't a dig at Windows or Microsoft at all because they're not responsible for doing this.

I've just been reformatting an HP laptop and it's crazy. I wouldn't mind if they preinstalled Chrome and flash, Windows Live Messenger but they put ebay shortcuts on the desktop, French games (Canada), some sort of Accessories icon and a horrible HP toolbar and wifi manager along the top of my screen and so many more pointless utilities.

Why do they do this.
Well HP may as well customise their machines. I'm not sure why they do it either as it's more of a hindrence than anything useful. I'm amazed HP haven't created a new marketing tactic and offer OEM free laptops which aren't filled with this crap, as it is irritating. It's not too difficult to get rid of though, so can't complain too much.

[HotelUser]

Well HP may as well customise their machines. I'm not sure why they do it either as it's more of a hindrence than anything useful. I'm amazed HP haven't created a new marketing tactic and offer OEM free laptops which aren't filled with this crap, as it is irritating. It's not too difficult to get rid of though, so can't complain too much.

You're right we can't, it's just such a nuisance having to reinstall everything already though without having to go through the motions of doing this too!

[GommeInc]

You're right we can't, it's just such a nuisance having to reinstall everything already though without having to go through the motions of doing this too!
Be glad it's HP and not Packard Bell - they're a nightmare. You're better off buying an upgrade copy of Windows 7 and just wipe the computer clean of any Packard Bell features :P

[HotelUser]

Be glad it's HP and not Packard Bell - they're a nightmare. You're better off buying an upgrade copy of Windows 7 and just wipe the computer clean of any Packard Bell features :P

My Acer desktops and laptops were never bad at all, that's why I'm really surprised to see my HP like this, never had a Packard Bell in a very long time!


Be glad it's HP and not Packard Bell - they're a nightmare. You're better off buying an upgrade copy of Windows 7 and just wipe the computer clean of any Packard Bell features :P

My Acer desktops and laptops were never bad at all, that's why I'm really surprised to see my HP like this, never had a Packard Bell in a very long time!

[GommeInc]

My Acer desktops and laptops were never bad at all, that's why I'm really surprised to see my HP like this, never had a Packard Bell in a very long time!
That's a point! Acer are surprisingly good with their standard software. I think the two I had only had a task bar and a few small programs. Not a lot at all, considering HP is one many people go for or think of as good quality/service.

Did you get rid of the HP Update thing it sometimes comes with? It's the only HP program which can be useful.

[Recursion]

With any laptop I buy, I go and reinstall the OS using a clean disk from MS, partly out of paranoia but mostly because of all the crap OEMs install. This is one place where Apple are pr0.

[N!ck]

Money is the reason.

Big software companies such as Norton pay the manufacturers to put their crap on their computers by default in the hope of getting paying customers. It is generally quite successful too.

It keeps the price of these computers down too. If you price up a custom build of an OEM PC you'll find the OEM costs similar or maybe even slightly cheaper because of this.

[Jordy]

Doesn't a lot of the stuff installed like the wifi manager and sound managers affect drivers? I'm always reluctant to get rid of the software because of this. I also wouldn't be surprised if there's software out there to get rid of it for you easily.

Sony are particularly bad for this despite marketing Vaio as something of a premium product there is something in the region of 20-30 program's installed.

[triston220]

Doesn't a lot of the stuff installed like the wifi manager and sound managers affect drivers? I'm always reluctant to get rid of the software because of this. I also wouldn't be surprised if there's software out there to get rid of it for you easily.

Sony are particularly bad for this despite marketing Vaio as something of a premium product there is something in the region of 20-30 program's installed.

Some of it will probably be drivers, the rest of it is likely to be rubbish you won't use very often.

[Recursion]

Doesn't a lot of the stuff installed like the wifi manager and sound managers affect drivers? I'm always reluctant to get rid of the software because of this. I also wouldn't be surprised if there's software out there to get rid of it for you easily.

Sony are particularly bad for this despite marketing Vaio as something of a premium product there is something in the region of 20-30 program's installed.

I've found most of the software for audio/wifi etc can be removed, Windows is good enough at managing them so long as the drivers are installed.

[Stephen!]

The first thing I do when I get a new laptop is wipe the OS straight away and install my own.