On My Computer

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:27 am

there is "stuff to keep" and "stuff to discard" but I can not tell which is which.

The computer that I am talking about now is one that was discarded by its' original owner when his employer gave him a bigger and much better computer.

This computer has one hard drive that has been partitioned three ways. One partition (C:) is where I find the OS and most (I cannot say all) of the applications that are intended to run on this computer.

A second partition (F:) contains a rather long list of programs that appear to have been downloaded from the internet. Many of the files have familiar names like Adobe, Kodak, Netgear and Macromedia. However, the list of operable programs that is displayed when I click on Start/All Programs does not include many of them.

From this, can I conclude that the executable files that reside on F: are not part of what this computer now runs on? The real question is: Can I delete (by reformatting) everything that is on F:?

G:, the third partition, contains files that were developed in Word, Excel, Sketchup, etc. G: also contains PDFs. Most of what I have on G: (if not all) are files that I put there.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:52 am

dusty wrote: A second partition (F:) c Can I delete (by reformatting) everything that is on F:?

You can delete everything using the delete button OR right click on the F: and chose the FORMAT option.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:22 pm

beeg wrote:You can delete everything using the delete button OR right click on the F: and chose the FORMAT option.

Yes, I know that the delete button or reformatting will get rid of those files. I have done that, even a couple times when I did not want to. The question is whether or not they are part of the operating system even though they are on other than the C: drive.

How can I determine if they are "installed" or have they just been down loaded to F: and not currently installed.

I am assuming that if they have not been installed, I can delete them with NO CONSEQUENCE.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:23 pm

beeg wrote:You can delete everything using the delete button OR right click on the F: and chose the FORMAT option.

Why not just delete them?

Go to 'DOS' prompt

Enter f:

Make sure the prompt now reads F:/>

Enter del *.* /s

Enter yes

Kiss them all goodbye.

enter dir

Entire f: should be available.

To remove the any sub directories remaining,

enter rd /s ------------ include /q if you are confident.

If there are any hidden etc files, they need more intensive removal techniques.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:25 pm

dusty wrote:Yes, I know that the delete button or reformatting will get rid of those files. I have done that, even a couple times when I did not want to. The question is whether or not they are part of the operating system even though they are on other than the C: drive.

How can I determine if they are "installed" or have they just been down loaded to F: and not currently installed.

I am assuming that if they have not been installed, I can delete them with NO CONSEQUENCE.

If control panel does not know about them you can safely assume the os does not know about them.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:25 pm

dusty wrote:How can I determine if they are "installed" or have they just been down loaded to F: and not currently installed.

Go to the CONTROL PANEL, ADD/REMOVE programs and see if they show there.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:39 pm

beeg wrote:Go to the CONTROL PANEL, ADD/REMOVE programs and see if they show there.

They are not there Beeg. This seems to be a strong indicator that these programs have not been installed on this computer.

The applications that have been causing me concern are located on a secondary drive on a computer that I acquired at no cost to me. It is a bit more powerful than the scraper that I have been using since my goto machine crapped out the last time. It had on it an indication that it had contained Microsoft Office 2007 along with many other applications that appeared to have been down loaded. Being as frugal as I am, I did not want to discard anything that I could use. At the same time, I have an apprehension against using downloaded software. Especially software that I did not down load.

I have decided not to use any of it. I now have 120GB of hard drive space that I can use for my stuff. In addition to that I have ALL of my applications on the same drive along with the OS. I don't normally do that but that I where I am at and for now I am not going back.

Unlike several times in the past, everything that I am concerned about is backed up on a dedicated external hard drive.

The CLEANING OUT of stuff on my computer is done and for now, I am back in business on the internet. We'll see how long that lasts with less than full security protection. I am spoiled. I have been on a machine that was "fully protected".

Now to the shop. Let's see if it can be organized.

Watch EBay. It is going to be loaded with oldies but goodies - all from my shed and shop. Mostly oldies.

Sure wish I could close and lock this thread.

:( It is done as far as I am concerned. Adios.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:30 am

This is a test of my capacity to pull "stuff" from my computer. I will delete when done testing.

[ATTACH]25697[/ATTACH]

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:42 am

Another test post. Delete when done.[ATTACH]25698[/ATTACH]

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:49 am

A test post. Will be deleted when through.

[ATTACH]25699[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]25700[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]25701[/ATTACH]A test post. Will be deleted when through.