Skimming AIM 5.5 (What to remove!)

[f0rbez]

quote:Originally posted by WhiteMateria

Yawn.. I would update it if I was even interested in downloaded AIM again installing it on my computer. Just did a format and its the scum so...

haha I hear you. I installed it and didnt notice anything new. wildtangent never seems to install itself anymore. could be my firewall thats blocking it but I get no alerts.

[Wildatheart]

You said there is a way to get rid of the ads in the aim friends list? Someone said it was in their link but I am not sure which one to use.. If you could please tell me which one to use I would be forever grateful .. Thank you

Wildatheart

[KiSsToPeAr]

quote:Originally posted by f0rbez

The things you can remove include.. wildtangent, viewpoint media player, and aol on desktop (aod). Right after you install, go into add/remove programs and uninstall wildtangent and viewpoint. then use these instructions to remove aod http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/to...?TOPIC_ID=9142
then restart and check for these folders:

"c:\program files\aod"
"c:\program files\viewpoint"
"c:\windows\wt"

also look for a wildtangent folder in program files.. im not sure what its named b/c mine didnt install. you can delete all of those after you uninstalled them.

you can also delete these installation files from "c:\program files\aim\sysfiles\" so that it cant install itself again:

AIMWDInstall.exe
AIMWDUninstall.exe
viewpoint.exe

btw, I think viewpoint is possibly part of the ad display system. you know those video/audio ads that they started using.

I believe viewpoint is a search toolbar and has nothing to do with those ads.
Viewpoint Corporation - http://www.viewpoint.com/pub/index.html

[grave]

Are there any programs that read .dll's so I can see (with other programs too) what is trash and is required for it to run?

By the way, I downgraded to AIM 4.4 (beta with logging). What vaules in Reshack allow me to change the background of the buddylist, make new icons (away, setup, prefs, info, im, etc.) and remove ads?

[Edit: Ooh, I found most of what I was looking for at Aimfilez.com]

[Strike]

There is ONE easy way to block ALL spyware and possibly some worms and virii(provided that they are not highly sophisticated like the ones that can change their names and extentions and exploit Windows flaws)

Under Windows XP Professional (and possibly Windows 2000), that can be done in the Local Policy editor under Software Restriction Policies > Additional Rules section. Add path new path rules by opening the context menu for the key/folder and clicking New Path Rule....

Adding the following will block a lot of what AOL installs that is crap:
C:\Program Files\AIM\SysfilesC:\Program Files\AOD\

remember to replace C:\Program Files\AIM\ with the folder/path/directory you are actually installing it to.
(don't worry, the DLLs within \Sysfiles\ will run, unless you choose All Software Files for Enforement)

Optionally, you might also want to create an empty text file and save it in your "Program Files" folder under the names: "Viewpoint", "WildTangent", "AOD", (without extentions) to prevent them from being written to your disk in the first place. Be sure to delete existing folders/directories that match those names first, then mark the replacement files as "Read-Only". Under Windows 2000 and XP Professional, you might also want to deny all rights to those files for EVERYONE, thus effectively preventing anything from replacing those files EVER.


The above two tricks can be reused to apply to many other unwanted software/files.

I'd also be glad if anyone could analyze AIM's installation procedure. I ran AIM Install and Task Manager simutaneously, and I DID NOT like what I saw under the processes tab... This mysterious files known as "Patcher.exe", and some random TMP files were being run. (Not just one, but many.) What these processes do I'll never know. (not yet anyway.) After the installation, I could not find any traces of Patcher.exe. (I could find it under Windows 98 though) Those things run during the long pause after imghlp.dll (or something like that) has been copied to \Sysfiles\.

I have added "*.tmp" and "Patcher.exe" to my restricted list, but I haven't tested it yet (nor do I know any of its side-effects.)

[rae_rae]

quote:It would be nice if someone wrote a program to remove everything crappy with AIM 5.5!

Download Fix Edited 07.11.05
It will not be here for long so I suggest someone else host it.

[rae_rae]

Please reference:
Pirateculture.net for a removal tool
Edited 07.11.05

[rae_rae]

Please download at:
Pirateculture.net - AIM AOD Removal Tool
Edited 07.11.05

[rae_rae]

Please download at:
Pirateculture.net - AIM AOD Removal Tool
Edited 07.11.05
Visit my site for updates

[Spyware Killer]

I actually found the Application Data folder in My Documents

when I install'd aim I unchecked WT and WeatherBug but it installed them anyway
I had to delete the folders and Spybot TeaTimer blocked the REG edits
It also tried to make a bunch of things run at startup (...BLOCK'D! HA!)

And I agree w/ everything you posted to delete so good job on the batch, RR



BTW does anyone know how to make it so that when I right-click and point to "Send To" it won't have the "AIM Buddy" stuff? I'll figure it out sometime, just wondering if anyone knows how now
ne'er mind. Got it.