Family PC: Decrapified

1] Use Compaq's built in System recovery tool to revert back to "factory condition."

(I don't have a disk copy of Windows XP; that would have been nice though...)

 

2] Clean off Compaq's "factory condition" (read: useless, outdated) software using RevoUninstaller and some old-fashioned file deleting.

 

3] Install Firefox, w/ AdBlock Plus, Flashblock, and Prism. Disable access to IE.

 

4] Install MSE.

 

5] Download preposterous amounts of Windows updates. (Also update WMP, usefull for syncing non-Apple media players.)

 

6] Install relevant software: VLC, OpenOffice, Foxit, GIMP, etc.

 

7] Patch Uxtheme.dll. Download CleanGlass VS, a non-seizure inducing wallpaper, and Stardock's Fences.

 

Startup time: Apprx. 0:01:12. (0:1:08 without Fences.) I welcome any and all suggestions to improve that time; I'm rather new at this and don't have a clue what "ALCMTR.exe" and "jusched" are...

 

-No Adobe products, excepting the Flash plugin for Firefox

-No Apple software, excepting Quicktime plugins.

-No *ahem* Symantec.

-All free. I feel like I have accomplished something...

Done