After installing a firewall on JAGlady's VAIO laptop, I got a warning that a program called tgcmd.exe was trying to connect to the internet. I didn't have a clue what that was so I did some research and found some scary stuff!

It appears that configuration management software has been installed on my personal computer without my knowledge. According to an article written bysnark.com "Such software can be used to install spyware, change your configuration, and may even make your computer unusable." The article goes on to make good points that are very concerning.

In my case the application was apparently installed by Sony and is used to send information from my computer to "Spy Central", aka Sony Support. Who knows what information they have now!!!

This should be illegal! I used to brag on Sony products and recommend them to friends. Not any more though!

I've been VIOLATED!!

 

This is a sad fact when buying OEM computers. I think they can pretty much install anything they want on it. For this reason the first thing I do when I get an OEM computer is reload it. A PITA, but then I know exactly what's on it.

 

Damn, have you contacted Sony about their experiment?

 

It wasn't Sony MyBad......hehe It was ME, I hacked into your pc.

 

I have a Sony Vaio and the same thing was happening here. Use to have a lot of problems with my computer and blamed it on Windows ME. After I downloaded ZoneAlarm I would get the message that tgcmd.exe was trying to connect to the internet. I allowed it at first and continued to have problems with the computer freezing up until I read something on this sight about spy programs. I downloaded that software but it never showed tgcmd as being a problem. Still, I was uneasy and refused to allow it to connect. Have had very few problems since. I asked several of my friends if they knew what tgcmd was with no success. They don't have Sonys. Interesting and thanks for posting this information. I haven't read the posted link yet but really appreciate. Glad I didn't buy their %$@! laptop! Geez.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by moonpie
[B]This is a sad fact when buying OEM computers.

 

My computer won't let me delete the tgcmd.exe file. Any advice? It's locked out of any internet connection but would like to just delete if possible. When I try it tells me something like, "Windows is using the program, unable to delete".

Also, forgive the question, but how is a computer reloaded? Is the entire system (OS) deleted and then custom restored with the restore discs?

Thanks again for this thread. Always wondered what the heck tgcmd and tgfix.exe files were. Now I know and have a new source for future questions on google.com! Interesting how it was stated that these files slow down internet connections as sometimes my system seems unusually slow. Prior to being able to restrict these files access, there were times when I actually had to unplug the computer to get it to shutdown. Know of several people who are very computer savvy who have had the same problem.

gracias!

 

Yup, always reinstall a new system and never trust an OEM install. I like to install from a copy of a non OEM install disk if I can thus avoiding any changes the OEM made to the install scripts.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pueo
[B]My computer won't let me delete the tgcmd.exe file. Any advice? It's locked out of any internet connection but would like to just delete if possible. When I try it tells me something like, "Windows is using the program, unable to delete".

Also, forgive the question, but how is a computer reloaded? Is the entire system (OS) deleted and then custom restored with the restore discs?

 

Appreciate the advice but I rarely do more than surf the internet. Definitely should have taken Comp 101. How do you boot from a dos boot disk? Did the disk come with the computer or is something you create? Or is it something that you do upon start up with the F keys?