What is this software and can I delete it?

Bluebell Wood

I'm using an old computer which keeps putting up messages that I'm low on disc space (it's now disabled system restore because there's not enough disc space), so I'm trying to delete as many unused programs as possible.

I have a few HP programs which were on the computer when I got it, not sure what they are, I think they may be software that came with a printer (which I don't have). I googled one of them (HP Extended Capabilties 5.3, which is using 183 MB) and it seeme to be a research program for HP, but it said not to delete it if you have HP PSC and Officejet 5.3.b, which is also on my computer. I googled that, but didn't find out what it was. I also have HP Imaging Device Functions 5.3 and HP Image Zone express.....are these all obsolete programs relating to a computer that is no longer attached to my PC, or are any of them vital to running the PC?

Thanks

old_aussie

The participation in this market research can be cancelled at any moment by clicking Start , Programs or All Programs , HP , Stop HP Product Survey Product Participation."

"Although it is possible to uninstall the HP Extended Capabilities survey program completely through the Add and Remove Programs Windows tool, HP does not recommend doing so because some of the HP product capabilities may be affected."

HP just want to keep their crap on your PC so you'll rely on HP.

Delete the lot.

the_syco

Bluebell Wood wrote: »

I'm using an old computer which keeps putting up messages that I'm low on disc space (it's now disabled system restore because there's not enough disc space), so I'm trying to delete as many unused programs as possible.

How big is the hard drive, and how much space is free?

Get a free program called spacemonger @ http://www.snapfiles.com/get/spacemonger.html and scan your PC with it. It'll tell you what folders are taking up the most room. This is handy, as I've found some big folders would have lots of small files.

Bluebell Wood

I thought that about the market research one, just not sure whether all the HP programs are printer software.....the name 'officejet' threw me a bit because I though it might be a program like microsoft office that I do use....I didn't want to suddenly find I couldn't open a spreadsheet anymore or something like that because I'd deleted something important

Bluebell Wood

the hardrive is 4.6 GB and it says 4.68 is being used, free space is 0. I have an extra HDD which I use for documents, so that's only programs

BopNiblets

That doesn't seem possible... does Windows even fit on 4.6gigs lol?

Spear

Bluebell Wood wrote: »

the hardrive is 4.6 GB and it says 4.68 is being used, free space is 0. I have an extra HDD which I use for documents, so that's only programs

The PC is in the region of 10+ years old? Just replace it.

Bluebell Wood

new problem....just tried to delete the programs and am getting pop up error messages...
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime Error
Abnormal program termination

What's going on?

Bluebell Wood

Spear wrote: »

The PC is in the region of 10+ years old? Just replace it.

Just replace it...lol! If you happen to have a few hundred euro to spare perhaps you could send it in this direction!

I do have a more modern computer as well, but this one works well for the things I use it for.

Can anyone help me with deleting the programs now, I'm getting error messages and don't know how to do it.

Bluebell Wood

BopNiblets wrote: »

That doesn't seem possible... does Windows even fit on 4.6gigs lol?

just checked it out, windows is using 4.16 gigs.....computer works fine though

bonzodog2

Clear out temporary folder, and browser cache, reduce size of recycle bin.If you don't use hibernate, turn that off.