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Hard drive cleaning (Spring cleaning?)

Started by Nate D.H. , Aug 05 2009 02:08 AM

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#1
Nate D.H.

Posted 05 August 2009 - 02:08 AM

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7 posts

Alright, gents.

First post is a question not pertaining to my own system, but a friend of mine who is worse with computers than myself. (Not saying much.)

Anyway, I've been trying to help her make some extra room on her hard drive. I got around 400 MB on my own. Would have been 2 giga bytes, but she didn't want to lose her pictures. Has A LOT of those. My computer has more space available, but I use less room, so I'm assuming she has some junk. I'm just not sure of any specifics on where to look. But FEAR NOT I do not come entirely empty handed! I have a list of programs available for uninstall. Now, not all of these are open for uninstalling, obviously. I'm just wondering what the ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS are for it to run. Everything else that can be deleted will be her discretion. I figure it'll net some extra space.

And if I said it wrong, or if the files aren't worth deleting, let me know.

I'd like some other places to look, if any of you have ideas.

Thanks in advance, guys.

Also, list:

Add or Remove Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection

Adobe AIR

Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit 2

Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin

Adobe Media Player

Adobe Reader 8.1.2

Adobe Shockwave Player

AIM 6

AIMTunes

Air Utility

AOL Uninstaller (Choose which Products to Remove)

Apple Mobile Device Support

Apple Software Update

ArcSoft PhotoImpression

ATI Multimedia Center 9.0.0.0

Audacity 1.2.6

AVG Free 8.5

AviSynth 2.5

AVS Audio Editor version 4.2

AVS Update Manager 1.0

AVS4YOU Software Navigator 1.3

Bonjour

CCleaner (remove only)

Conexant HSF V92 56K RTAD Speakerphone PCI Modem

DAO

Dell Photo AIO Printer 942

Dell Picture Studio - Dell Image Expert

Dell ResourceCD

DivX Content Uploader

DivX Web Player

DVD Suite

e+ 48U

Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer

HighMAT Extension to Microsoft Windows XP CD Writing Wizard

ijji FireFox Launcher 1.0

Intel® PRO Ethernet Adapter and Software

iTunes

J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 3

Java™ 6 Update 11

Java™ 6 Update 3

Lexmark i3

Lexmark Supplies Monitor

LG ODD Auto Firmware Update

LimeWire 4.16.6

LiveReg (Symantec Corporation)

LiveUpdate 2.6 (Symantec Corporation)

MEM48U

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Hotfix (KB928366)

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1

Microsoft Compression Client Pack 1.0 for Windows XP

Microsoft LifeCam

Microsoft Office Live Add-in 1.3

Microsoft Silverlight

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU]

Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime Native v1.0 (x86)

Microsoft Sync Framework Services Native v1.0 (x86)

Microsoft User-Mode Driver Framework Feature Pack 1.0

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 ATL Update kb973923 - x86 8.0.50727.4053

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable

Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer

Microsoft Word 2002

Microsoft Works 2002 Setup Launcher

Microsoft Works 6.0

Mozilla Firefox (3.0.13)

MSN Music Assistant

MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB927978)

MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)

MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB954430)

MSXML 4.0 SP2 Parser and SDK

My Web Search (Zwinky)

Netflix Movie Viewer

NIOC Service

Norton WMI Update

NVIDIA Display Driver

Pando Media Booster

Pen Tablet

PowerDVD

Presto! VideoWorks

QuickTime

Rhapsody Player Engine

Sound Blaster Live! Value

TextBridge Pro Millennium

TOL_Senel_1024x768_jg Wallpaper

TOL_Ship_1024x768_jg Wallpaper

Unity Web Player

Veoh Web Player Beta

VeohTV BETA

Videora iPod Converter 3.07

Viewpoint Manager (Remove Only)

Viewpoint Media Player

Windows Installer 3.1 (KB893803)

Windows Internet Explorer 7

Windows Live Essentials

Windows Live Sign-in Assistant

Windows Live Sync

Windows Live Upload Tool

Windows Media Format 11 runtime

Windows Media Player 11

Windows XP Service Pack 2

WinRAR archiver

WZCBDL Service

Yahoo! Internet Mail

Yahoo! Messenger

Sorry about the size, it's a full list.

#2
rev_olie

Posted 05 August 2009 - 03:49 AM

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532 posts

Hi,

Welcome to GeeksToGo

,

Now there is allot on that list that can be removed but like you say some may be required. The following items should be left on your system:

Intel® PRO Ethernet Adapter and Software
Java™ 6 Update 11
Java™ 6 Update 3
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Hotfix (KB928366)
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition [ENU]
Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime Native v1.0 (x86)
Microsoft Sync Framework Services Native v1.0 (x86)
Microsoft User-Mode Driver Framework Feature Pack 1.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 ATL Update kb973923 - x86 8.0.50727.4053
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Windows Media Player 11
Windows XP Service Pack 2
WinRAR archiver
Windows Installer 3.1 (KB893803)
Sound Blaster Live! Value
NVIDIA Display Driver

Now some of those could also be removed but it is inadvisable.

However, I don't see the latest version of Java in the list. This is essential to keep your PC safe. Please click This Link to update your Java install.

Also in the uninstall list you have provided are a number of malicious entries such as View Point and My Web Search which are neither required or useful and could come with other bundled software that could harm your PC.

Please read the Malware Spyware Cleaning Guide and then post a New topic in the Virus Spyware Trojan Removal Forum so they can taker you through some tools to remove some of the entries.

#3
Nate D.H.

Posted 05 August 2009 - 11:32 AM

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Topic Starter
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7 posts

Alright, I'm not sure if that will net the extra space I'm trying to help her get, but I'm sure that's got me on the right track.

Do you have any suggestions on where else I might find some excess data?

I've suggested a few folders, but I'm hesitant to try suggesting program files. I'm not a whiz-kid and I have doubts that she's patient enough to not go deleting something that shouldn't be deleted.

Edit: I have a secondary question about updating her service pack...

I looked over the website and it says that about 1,500 MB of free space are needed just to download it.

Will this extra used space be mostly removed after the Service pack is installed?/Will it completely replace Service pack 2 so it doesn't take up too much space?

Edited by Nate D.H., 05 August 2009 - 11:45 AM.

#4
cbarnard

Posted 05 August 2009 - 11:54 AM

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Member
755 posts

What is the size of her HDD "hard drive?"

Every service pack installed increases the total space used...

Windows will become unstable as the "head room" decreases... If she has a small HDD the fix is to purchase a larger one...

I noticed she has Limewire installed

This program and its library can take up very large amounts of space...Depends on how much she has downloaded...

We here at Geeks to Go

Recommend the removal of this program, due to the fact that it is a main source of malware and viruses... The use of this program allows direct access to the computer and can create alot of problems...

Another reason she might want to remove it is because the Music industry is pressing charges against over 30,000 different people right now over illegal downloading... The fines inposed by the court system have been 500k-1.5million so far...

Or about $80,000\illegal song on the computer...

Read the news it in there...

Hopefully this helps

Cbarnard

#5
rev_olie

Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:48 PM

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Member
532 posts

Alright, I'm not sure if that will net the extra space I'm trying to help her get, but I'm sure that's got me on the right track.

You are aware those are programs you should not remove aren't you?
The other items I haven't mentioned can be un-installed eg Yahoo, Apple product's (Bonjour) etc but the items on the list i gave are required elements for the day to day use of your PC.

However I must say that you should follow through posting the logs for the malware forum and especially remove the following:

Viewpoint Manager
Viewpoint Media Player
My Web Search
Limewire

After that you may want to try doing a defrag of your hard drive by Right clicking the C: drive > Click properties > Click Tools and then choose De-fragment

Also you could then move on to use a temp cleaning program like TFC. These are all thing that can be done but at the end of the say you aren't going to free much more on a 40Gb hard drive.

Edited by rev_olie, 05 August 2009 - 12:59 PM.

#6
Nate D.H.

Posted 05 August 2009 - 01:02 PM

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7 posts

Alright, though I wouldn't be able to help replace a hard drive over the internet. Nor would any websites be able to give instruction if she has questions while setting it up.

Really all I'm trying to do is give a temporary fix until she either gets a manual for it or her dad gets home and switches it out.

HDD is about 37Gb.

I'll see about whether she'd delete it or not.

Honestly, most of the space issues are from her refusal to delete crap she doesn't need.

Edit: Yes, rev_olie, I'm aware.

The downside to all of this, she's stubborn. I doubt I could walk her through the downloads (Hijack this, etc) and all of that.

I already gave her this website and she all but refused.

I've gotten a little frustrated, to be honest... But I did agree to help and since I couldn't do more on my own, I figured you guys could help.

Edited by Nate D.H., 05 August 2009 - 01:09 PM.

#7
rev_olie

Posted 05 August 2009 - 01:14 PM

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532 posts

Well then if she can't get rid of it then there really isn't anything you can do.

You will just have to break down all of the little components and squeeze as much space out as possible by removing programs, defrag it and then clean the temps. Apart from that your stuck really.

The only other option would be to buy an external USB plug and play hard drive that she can transfer her personal items over to. You would have to do something like that anyhow if you were to change the hard drive because otherwise there is no way of getting the data off. 500GB drive now is actually very cheap over the net so its maybe an idea. Also at least then you would have a backup of the data if it were to be lost on the current machine.

That's about as temporary of a fix its going to get.

#8
cbarnard

Posted 05 August 2009 - 01:29 PM

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Member
755 posts

Honestly, most of the space issues are from her refusal to delete crap she doesn't need.

I already gave her this website and she all but refused.

I've gotten a little frustrated, to be honest...

Well now you see what we go through with day to day...

You lead here to the water but you can't force her to drink... If she refuses to listen to any advice then I would offer her this last few pieces of Info...

Purchase an external HDD it is simple to setup just plug it in via USB port.

She can move alot of here data to the external HDD and take care of some of the space issues...

I understand where she is coming from, I have alot of pictures of my daughter and do not want to lose them...

If she can't purchase another hdd

Another thought have here burn all of her pics to cd\dvd then delete them from the HDD, that will free up alot of space...

I personally like Auslogics Disk Defrag

this program is able to defrag better and faster than windows defrag

Your friend is very likely to have an infection she already has several "bad" programs installed she would definitely benefit from the malware forum

Malware takes up unneeded space in the computer she would gain more space if she were to do this...

Offer her these few ideas that is all you can do...

Your in a place I hate to be, but then I'm there almost daily...

Good luck

Cbarnard

Edited by cbarnard, 05 August 2009 - 01:33 PM.

#9
Nate D.H.

Posted 05 August 2009 - 02:49 PM

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7 posts

Alright, that's about all of the questions I have.

At least while she's not online.

And yeah, she has another hard drive, but as I said, she doesn't know how to install it.

I'll see if I can convince her to check everything, but who knows.

And even if she doesn't, I think I'll take a look at that auslogics defrag thing.

I usually defrag with windows, so maybe it'll help me out.

On an unrelated note, what are your feelings on CCleaner?

I've been using it once a week to keep clutter in my temp folders and what not in check. The registry thing, I don't know if it works, but it came up with a lot of errors the first time. That and my computer seems to be running a lot faster.

I'm wondering if there's anything better that's also freeware or if it's doing just fine.

#10
cbarnard

Posted 05 August 2009 - 04:52 PM

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Member
755 posts

Hi About Ccleaner

This is not a good idea to use this program...

The registry option of this tool and others like it are not a safe alternative, To an experts hands on approach to "fix errors" in the registry...The registry is a very dangerous place to "fix" if you don't know what you are doing...

Registry cleaners will find things automatically that it deems unneeded and remove them... But in fact a lot of times they are incorrect about the item being unneeded... Sometimes resulting in a computer being completely unbootable, and requiring a fresh install...

Individuals that are experts will not use a registry cleaner due to this, The registry has to be dealt with "with caution"
Here is a link to a blog from Miekimoes another Malware Expert here at Geeks to Go, and also with Malwarebytes Antimalware.

We here at Geeks To Go recommend this program TFC by OLD TIMER

This program will clean out the temp files only and "Safely" This program was created and is maintained by one of our own Malware Experts here "OLD TIMER"

It is an excellent alternative to any other temp file cleaner.

I hope this helps you out

Good luck

Cbarnard

#11
rev_olie

Posted 05 August 2009 - 05:19 PM

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Member
532 posts

I'm the same with CCleaner as cbarnard.

The program itself is good. The start up lists and uninstall list or good features even if they are on Windows and the cleaner works its just the registry cleaner is not something to mess with. It can delete entries that can render the system unstable and stop certain programs working.

Again we rely on Old Timer for help

#12
Nate D.H.

Posted 05 August 2009 - 06:12 PM

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7 posts

Note to self... Do not shut down computer...

#13
cbarnard

Posted 05 August 2009 - 06:24 PM

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755 posts

why?

what happened?

Cbarnard

#14
Nate D.H.

Posted 05 August 2009 - 06:36 PM

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7 posts

Absolutely nothing, but I've been using the registry cleaner for a while now.

Maybe I got lucky and didn't mess anything up.

#15
cbarnard

Posted 05 August 2009 - 06:58 PM

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Member
755 posts

Hi

ok what you can do is restore the back up of the registry that was created by Ccleaner...
Navigate to your My documents folder

Right-click on the .REG file created and select 'Merge'.
By default these files will be saved into your 'My Documents' folder. Unless you changed it...

I can't remember what the main title of the file will start with "most likely the date of the backup"

But that is what you can do to restore the items it removed...

Now keep in mind not everything was bad to remove from your registry,
and not everything was probably good to remove

But it may save you from a problem in the future...

Good luck

Hope all goes well for you

Cbarnard