Page 1 of Internet-ready ad-ware PCs

I can`t remember where I read about these, it may be a US only phenomenon...

However, the concept is this -
You buy a PC, it comes "internet-ready" with a whole host of spy-ware, ad-ware, etc pre-installed and as effectively wired in to your PC as possible (software only of course).

Banner ads will pop up on your desktop, sites you visit will be monitored, cookies will keep an eye on you.

The revenue from that enables the manufacturer to reduce the price of the unit, so you get it a lot cheaper.

I may be buying a new PC some time in the next few months, and one of those would be ideal to me. I`m competent enough to remove the adware from the registry (assuming it`s put there in the standard way), and kill off all the other crap they install. Either that or format c: /u and reinstall.

Anyone seen or heard of any in the UK?

I`ll tell you one thing for certain - if that`s how they plan on funding a cheap PC, they certainly won`t just let you delete the software as soon as you receive it... That`s not exactly rocket science, is it ?

I should think you`ll have to sign an agreement promising NOT to remove or tamper with the software. There is probably then some reporting function within the software itself that registers in every time you go online. If it doesn`t report back that everything is okay, then you are in breach of your agreement and they take action against you to recover the PC.

I should think if you want the PC cheap, you`ll have to stick with the ads etc - there`s rarely such thing as a free (or unbelievably cheap) lunch.

Hmm. From what I understood they set it up like that - How many people buying a family PC will know how to get in to the registry and remove keys? And you are free to do what you like with it. I _think_ it was mentioned you didn`t get a copy of the OS with it. I.e. a beginner couldn`t take it all off the second they got it.

Something you might want to do if you`re interested in seeing if you have any ad or spy ware installed is check your run folders in your registry. You might be surprised what gets installed there.

Shouldnt this be in general, I have read it 5 times and cant seem to find any mention of a bargain anywhere

ShaunJUK

http://www.ultimateforums.co.uk

I find those ads REALLY annoying (and they slow you down) and have recently downloaded a brilliant free programme which identifies spyware and adware that has been placed on your computer and cleans it off. It works beautifully.
Go to: www.lavasoft.de and find the download for "Ad-Aware" - you`ll wonder how you lived without it.
Tim

Yeah, Ad-aware is great.

Shaun, read it a 6th time, if you still don`t think I was talking about bargain pcs then don`t bother reading it again.

I agreed with Shaun : there was no specific bargain mentioned other than they "might" exist in the UK, hence the move over to the General Forum.

Clayts
Moderator