Pre-built PCs BS Content

Fenna · Post by **Fenna** » August 30, 2005, 3:41 pm

I build my own PCs, but recently a family member ordered a Dell and had it shipped to me to transfer all his old files onto the new PC. I was shocked to discover just how much worthless bullshit Dell packages into the system.

My guess is they sell space on pre-built PCs now to any third-rate software house to pre-package their worthless apps and screw the average PC user into wasting time and money. It took me 2 hours to clean off the garbage and often I had to fight the programs to let me do it. The machine boots twice as fast now.

I just don't know how the average consumer is supposed to deal with this crap. I'm trying to think of a witty analogy but words fail me.

Breagen · Post by **Breagen** » August 30, 2005, 3:56 pm

This is exactly why I tell both my parents not to buy Dell's. My dad is on his second one now and has nothing but problems with it but refuses to let me reformat it to get rid of all the crap

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » August 30, 2005, 4:04 pm

Nothing wrong with a Dell for parent, they have good components that usually you can upgrade with stuff from NewEgg. Just format and reinstall as soon as you get it.

Marb

Fenna · Post by **Fenna** » August 30, 2005, 4:17 pm

Marb just gave me an idea. I would like to nuke this thing and reinstall a fresh XP. But the Dell did not come with ANY cds (the system restore feature is "built in") so I would have to nuke it and use one of my XP cds to install a new OS.

Can I use the XP OEM code on the tower to register if I nuke it? With MS's new anti-piracy thing going you've got to be authentic to get updates.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » August 30, 2005, 4:19 pm

I'm not sure how their Home PC lines are but Compaq business systems come with only the OS, Compaq approved drivers and diagnostic software installed. I think they do a great job with their factory image.

The last itme I got a pre-built computer was a Compaq presario desktop that was given to me as a birthday gift. I beat the snot out of it the time I owned it and have built my own ever since.

Llaffer · Post by **Llaffer** » August 30, 2005, 7:16 pm

A friend of mine bought a Dell, and told them to not add in an AGP video card, since she wanted me to transplant her video card from her old machine into the new one.

I went to do it, and the AGP slot was gone. I could see where it should be in the motherboard, but it was just gone.

So not only do they load you down with crap software, they make it virtually non-upgradable.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » August 30, 2005, 7:51 pm

Fenna, you can borrow someone's XP CD to install clean and use your reg code, just make sure if you have the reg code for XP home the install disk is not Pro.

But I would verify driver availability BEFORE I did it. Dell can be a bitch about drivers at times.

Kaelina · Post by **Kaelina** » August 30, 2005, 8:43 pm

Some of these PC manufacturers (cough HP cough) actually bundle spyware and borderline software with their new systems. WildTangent for instance, which I've seen have over 60 running processes at once - just for it.

I'm constantly having to deal with end users that say 'I can't have spyware on this PC, I just bought it last week!' and explain to them the piece of shit they bought came with it.

Building your own system, or having someone build it for you is the way to go!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 30, 2005, 8:55 pm

Kaelina wrote: Building your own system, or having someone build it for you is the way to go!

I'll second that. If you're not a tech-head, It's probably worth it to sleep with a tech-head or bribe a tech-head to get them to build a computer for you. You'll save a bunch of money and the end result will be a better computer.

There's plenty of help on message boards like this as well.

Fenna · Post by **Fenna** » August 30, 2005, 9:31 pm

That's one reason why I always build my own PCs. You can save tons of money, and get just the setup you want.

I'm not going to risk nuking this Dell, especially since the restore files appear to be only available on the system itself (no CD included), meaning if it's nuked I could never restore again. Sweet deal.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » August 30, 2005, 9:43 pm

Who cares what they put on it? I reload machines to my specifications...

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » August 30, 2005, 10:43 pm

You think thats fucking bad?... I just got a goddamn new cell phone... and its worse than any premanufactured computer Ive ever owned..... 10 demo software programs... some of them with "free" trials... not one usefull fucking app on the goddamn thing except the freaking contacts, which I had in my first Sprint PCS phone in 1996....

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » August 30, 2005, 10:56 pm

Fenna wrote:That's one reason why I always build my own PCs. You can save tons of money, and get just the setup you want.

I'm not going to risk nuking this Dell, especially since the restore files appear to be only available on the system itself (no CD included), meaning if it's nuked I could never restore again. Sweet deal.

Installed a laptop recently, it didn't come w/ any media, but had a link on the desktop to create restore CD's.

Of course, restore CD's don't let you change the base install... but it does give you a fallback position.

Also, I'm not sure what the position w/ XP Home is, but XP Pro CD keys are different for each release of the OS, of which there have been at least 3 not including VLK versions. It's a giant pain in the ass to find a CD that matches an OEM sticker in my experience.

Sargeras · Post by **Sargeras** » August 31, 2005, 3:21 am

One reason they make it a bitch to upgrade yourself is because they want you to send it back (ie: pay) for them to upgrade it for you. My mother won't even let me touch her Dell, because I'll void the warranty the moment I open the case.

Breagen · Post by **Breagen** » August 31, 2005, 4:19 am

I just remembered another great part about my dad's Dell. He bought it with a CD/DVD burned but didn't try burning a DVD until a month ago, and of course it didn't work.

After going through every normal fix I could think up and trying multiple types of DVD's and programs to burn with I finally resorted to the Dell support. After waiting for quite some time I had the pleasure of speaking with someone who was obviously from India and had some trouble communicating with me.

The end result was they told me that I had to upgrade the firmware from the Dell website, of course the firmware on the Dell website was for a different specification of the DVD burner and wouldn't work and after looking it up online I found out the only way you can actually burn DVD's on that very particular model of DVD burner is with a hacked firmware update which my dad would not allow me to install. Of course now he has a nice expensive CD burner only but oh well...

Fenna · Post by **Fenna** » August 31, 2005, 2:34 pm

Ah, another touch I discovered. Dell wanted $40 (!!) to include a 3.5" floppy drive ($8 value), so he chose to skip having them do it and put one in later. That would mean I'd have to open the case, and void some warranty.

I tested the DVD burner last night using Any DVD & CloneDVD and all worked fine. At least I don't have to worry about that.