'Removed' program is still there

14 years ago

Computer: Dell Dimension 2400 desktop; XP Home; 256 MB SDRAM (yes, I know!); 80 gig HD

Uses: E-mail and minimal surfing

Problem: I "removed" a program but it's still there

My friend just recently moved from DUN to cable. Sadly, it still took 15-20 minutes to boot. Having lurked here for several years, I felt I could help and I have. Boot is now 4.5 minutes. This has been accomplished by trading out resource hogs (i.e. McAfee Suite) for Avast, & ashampoo, minimizing programs in start-up, removing unused programs, etc. I know more RAM would really help.

I've used Revo Uninstaller with Advanced Scan to remove programs. One of the programs I removed was JASC, a paintshop type program. At the time, the removal process seemed "normal".

Today, I was sitting at the computer while Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware was running and happed to glance up and see a scan of a JASC file flash past.

When Malwarebytes was finished ("no problems"), I rechecked "Add/Remove Programs" and no JASC was listed. I rechecked again using Revo - still no JASC.

Curious, I searched all C drive files and folders for JASC and came up with a boatload - dll files, a large application file, etc.

The only explanation I can think of is that JASC was never originally installed, and by "removing" it, I actually installed it but then Revo scanned the registry for JASC and did remove the registry entries? And this is why it's not showing up in "Add/Remove"?

Can I delete each JASC file that search finds or should I leave well enough alone (the computer is running fine)?

Many thanks for sharing your time and expertise. - June

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Comments (5)

zep516
14 years ago
leave well enough alone
cat_ky
14 years ago
I am curious why you wanted to remove the JASC in the first place, it is a very good program, and used by many people. I have it on every computer, installed by me. It has never been a resource hog. If you dont want it running in startup (mine doesnt), it can be accessed from an icon on the desktop and is quite useful. Boot up time still seems much too long to me. I turn all 3 of mine that are in this room on in the morning, and then put up the blind, and turn off the light, and by then, they are all fully booted. Probably a minute and half at most.
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fruitjarfla
14 years ago
Suggest checking the programs that run at start up - that may not be needed as startup programs. Start - Run - type in the characters msconfig - then look at the programs that are checked in the Startup tab. Those programs that have a check mark are started when the computer is booted. Perhaps you have not done so in the past and are not comfortable with unchecking certain programs running at startup. List the programs and check some websites to see if the programs are necessary. bleepingcomputer.com answersthatwork.com and castlecops.com are three examples where you can key the startup programs and get a response. For example, I have 62 programs that are shown in the Startup tab but only 8 have a check mark. Some of the applications still appearing in my list were removed long ago because I no longer used them. Take a look at the linked website to get a clearer explanation than I have given.

Here is a link that might be useful: Big Geek Daddy
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
Original Author
14 years ago
Cat_ky: I think my friend's computer is about 4 years old but he has never used the JASC program. I removed it (and probably other good but unused software) just to have less programs taking up scan time.

I agree that boot time is still long. Many of the programs and tweaks recommended on this forum have been applied to improve performance and progress has been made. Maybe limited RAM is now the issue?

My friend is pleased as punch with the improvement. And once the computer boots, he says it "flies". The only thing I've done with the "innards" is open the case and blow out the dust and that took some courage for this amateur.

I've watched videos about how to install RAM and it looks relatively simple. MAYBE some day I'll get brave and try that. Meanwhile, I'll continue to read this forum and learn.

Fruitjarfla: Thanks for the input. I've already used Black Viper - recommended on this forum - to adjust the programs at start-up. It will be interesting to go to one of the sites you list and actually learn their function - a good project for a rainy day!

Again, many thanks to all - June
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
I too had JASC on my older pc and removed it because it is a rather large program and I needed the extra hard drive space as it was getting low. I did not have any problem with removal, if it is listed in your startup list do uncheck it there then you may be able to remove more of it with REVO. Often times if items are in startup they will not fully remove.
One thing you can do is go to program files in your C drive look for a specific folder for JASC if you find one you can delete the entire folder.

note to everyone castlecops.com is no longer available, it went offline with in the past year, major loss to many of us that were members there for so many years.

I recommend Black Viper, excellent site.