[Richard Kimball]

I had to get a Windows machine cause my daughter was taking an online class that required ActiveX. Anyway, ended up with a sub $400 Compaq laptop. Not a bad machine for the bucks, but has Vista Basic and the crap HP and Compaq slather on the machines. Between the Vista security and the Norton, HP, Compaq and other garbage installed on the system, it's like playing "Duck Hunt" to try and get anything done with all the annoying pop ups.

I don't have the time or energy, but I seriously considered just wiping it and doing a clean install to get rid of all the adware.

[Notary Sojac]

Try this:

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/features

[rabscuttle385]

Anyway, ended up with a sub $400 Compaq laptop.

Next time, buy a $500 or $600 Lenovo ThinkPad with Windows XP Professional. The consumer systems turned out by the likes of HP and Dell are garbage.

[Diplomat]

In all my years of helping family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances, I finally got fed up with ONE clone manufacturer. I will not assist a person with a computer problem if their machine is a Compaq. As soon as I see that name, I walk away and tell them good luck with Compaq.

Compaq is screwing you. Their reinstall disks will put the same buggy crap right back on if you do a rebuild. Save yourself an immense about of wasted time and frustration by tossing the Compaq into the garbage and buy a different machine.