Locked registry keys?

[Koyaanisqatsi]

So I got my new Dell...

I spent about three hours uninstalling all the crap they include by default and finally got it to a somewhat decent state. I finally got around to trying to change IE's start page from Dell's annoying google-based portal to something more useful...and I can't. If I try to reset it in IE, it doesn't save the new URL. I tried using hijackThis to reset the registry value, and it does nothing. I even tried manually changing HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Internet Explorer/Main/Start Page in regedit, but it tells me "Cannot edit start page: error writing the value's new contents."

I knew I'd be getting the bundled crap, there's no way around it these days...but I didn't think they'd be locking me out of my own system! (Oh yeah, and have I mentioned the 12GB hidden partition they create to backup all their crap so they don't have to send you a 30 cent reinstall CD? ) I'd kinda like to have the real live licensed version of windows on here, but if this keeps up I'm going to have to replace it with another copy just to run the damn thing.

Anyway...anybody have any idea how they would be locking that value and how I can change it?

[Japher]

Koyaanisqatsi: "Life out of balance"

I learned what your name meant while reading The DaVinci Code... Actually thought of you when I saw the word...


I spend too much time here

[Koyaanisqatsi]

It was mentioned in that?

The reference is actually to the movie (and the definition you mentioned.)

Oh, and about the actual problem: HKCU...start page is also locked in the same manner.

[Japher]

yeah, it was said it was a Hopi word

there's a lot about christianity trying to obress other religions, especially Paganism, and how Da Vinci was against that

I think he used it in reference to his Madonna on the Rocks painting, if that is what it's called

[Japher]

I'm not a big Phillip Glass fan

[Asher]

I was able to change my dad's homepage on his new Dell...

Here's two ideas:
1) Use Firefox
2) Reformat to fully get rid of Dell's loaded ****

[Koyaanisqatsi]

If I reformat and reload off the DVD I paid $10 extra for, does that give me just windows or the same Ghost image with all the extra crap that I started with a few hours ago?

I actually do use Firefox...I'm just trying to figure out how they did this and how to undo it since I'm guessing that I may find other little issues like this hanging around...

[Asher]

Try editing it in safe mode?

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Good thought, but it resets when I start normally.

[Asher]

Check what programs are loading on startup.

Start->run, type "msconfig"

[Koyaanisqatsi]

I already cleared a bunch of stuff out of there, there's nothing left that I don't recognize.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Ugh. It wasn't Dell, it was ZoneAlarm. The newest version has a bugnotfeature that locks the home page. I downgraded and all is well.

(Dell's spamware still sucks, though.)

[Japher]

yes it does

[Urban Ranger]

Re: Locked registry keys?

Originally posted by Koyaanisqatsi
So I got my new Dell...

My codolences

Originally posted by Koyaanisqatsi
(Oh yeah, and have I mentioned the 12GB hidden partition they create to backup all their crap so they don't have to send you a 30 cent reinstall CD?

That means you're out of luck if something bad happens to your HDD. Ah well.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Re: Re: Locked registry keys?

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
That means you're out of luck if something bad happens to your HDD. Ah well.

Originally posted by Koyaanisqatsi
If I reformat and reload off the DVD I paid $10 extra for