QUOTE(Cyberbob @ Jul 19 2005, 12:49 PM)
Dell is not the only OEM in this, HP desktop computers come loaded with "questionable" software too.
One experience I had with my new HP Pavillion is that there was an annoying HP toolbar ontop of explorer windows; when removed it would reappear the next boot. I found a file starting up in msconfig called autoTbar.exe that was causing all customization on the toolbar to be reset.
I consider this some form of ad-ware promoting HP software.

I spent 31 months out of work because of my job being shipped overseas, do you think I'm ungrateful about my european neighbors...damn straight! It cost me my lively hood. After 21 years in the business In the next week I will be changing careers to work in the medical industry in the public sector. So I am in morning over a very fruitful and personal rewarding career that has come to an end.
I will still be the neighborhood Geek and spending times reading forums like this, but the weekly seminars and world wide travel is over.
For those of you still priveledge to still be working in the industry I certainly hope you don't ruin it for future generations. I started in IBM370 keypunch and VAX stations and BanYan lines. So I speak old school and from deep inside the trenches. So be considerate of those coming in.
For me its on to new adventures and a whole new world,...and a paycheck.
Ed