Bonic_master User Account

AMO4EVER · Apr 1, 2013

I have a VAIO laptop with Win 7 and it appears I have or had a program that has something to do with "World Community Grid" but would like to eliminate the user account (bonic_master) and any other program parts the allow my available memory to be accessed. I cannot seem to delete the user account or associated files and folders. What is this all about and how can I remove this user account and associated program?

LauraR · Apr 1, 2013

Hi, is this a used computer?

As per a search (which I assume you did, but am putting it here for info):

World Community Grid brings people together from across the globe to create the largest non-profit computing grid benefiting humanity. It does this by pooling surplus computer processing power. We believe that innovation combined with visionary scientific research and large-scale volunteerism can help make the planet smarter. Our success depends on like-minded individuals - like you.
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So, someone had to have installed the software that allows the program to access spare computing power.

When you go into your Control panel and access User Accounts (Add or Remove user accounts), are you able to delete the account?

Also, is the program in your Programs > Uninstall a Program section?

AMO4EVER · Apr 1, 2013

LauraR said: ↑

Hi, is this a used computer?

As per a search (which I assume you did, but am putting it here for info):

So, someone had to have installed the software that allows the program to access spare computing power.

When you go into your Control panel and access User Accounts (Add or Remove user accounts), are you able to delete the account?

Also, is the program in your Programs > Uninstall a Program section?
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Mahalo for the quick response.
This is not a used computer.
I cannot see the account when I go to the Control Panel User Accounts, I only see my account as an Administrator and the Guest account but if I go to the C:\ directory I then to users folder there are folders for my account, Guest account and bonic_master account. I cannot see the Bonic program in the Control Panel Programs window either. Ughhh!

LauraR · Apr 1, 2013

Do others have access to this computer? This does not seem to be a sketchy program, so I'm wondering how it got on your computer if you did not install it.

Try installing Revo Uninstaller (a great program to have anyway as it more thoroughly uninstalls programs): http://majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html

See if Revo pulls up World Community Grid.

Just a note on Revo: If it does find it, do a medium removal. You'll have the option to search other areas such as your registry. Be very careful to only delete the bolded items (not the entire file tree it brings up) that refer to the program.

Btw, this is based on you saying its not in your Add/Remove. According to their website, you should be able to uninstall it through the typical means:

How do I uninstall the World Community Grid Software?
Right click on the World Community Grid icon in the lower right corner of your screen and select "Exit". This will stop the agent. Then use your Add/Remove programs feature to remove the World Community Grid software. If that does not work, use the task manager to stop the processes starting with WCGrid. Then you should be able to delete the C:\Program Files\WorldCommunityGrid directory and its contents. After that remove the corresponding start menu items.
http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/images/spacer.gif
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As far as the other account, hopefully someone can give you some incite on that.

Colemanguy · Apr 1, 2013

control panel, add remove user then delete the account should work to remove that account, if revo has issues with it you might install it it again on top, then try to uninstall it.

LauraR · Apr 1, 2013

After doing some looking online, I found this on creating and managing hidden accounts:

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-and-Manage-a-Hidden-Account-in-Windows-7

You should be able to access it so that it's visible and be able to use or delete.

Again, if this is not a used computer, or shared, I'd be concerned about how this stuff got on there.

AMO4EVER · Apr 2, 2013

LauraR said: ↑

After doing some looking online, I found this on creating and managing hidden accounts:

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-and-Manage-a-Hidden-Account-in-Windows-7

You should be able to access it so that it's visible and be able to use or delete.

Again, if this is not a used computer, or shared, I'd be concerned about how this stuff got on there.
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Looks like I found the location of the Bonic program on my computer. Additionally, Sony Corporation some time ago agreed to place this program on VAIO computers. So, Sony is including this World Community Grid program with its installation software. The word is you can opt out but I never saw that option. Nevertheless, with this program, the computers available memory can be accessed and utilized by the WCG Berkeley project. See the screen shot of my computer to see where W7 and Sony VAIO placed the program. I was able to delete the bonic_master user folders on the C drive. I executed the uninstall program but am still looking to see if this program is actually uninstalled.

LauraR · Apr 3, 2013

If you haven't found it in your Control Panel or Revo and you aren't sure you uninstalled it, I think I'd reinstall and use Revo to uninstall it.

If no uninstall was actually performed, there are probably remnants.

plodr · Apr 3, 2013

Note: The free version of Revo does not "see" 64 bit programs.
If this is a 64 bit program, then it will not show up in Revo to uninstall it.

AtlBo · Apr 3, 2013

Just wondering if anyone knows if Comodo Programs Manager works with 64 bit programs? It works very well on my 32 bit Windows XP PC.

If this is a 64 bit PC/OS, could AMO4EVER use CPM?

Nick T · Apr 3, 2013

Hey there AtlBo, Comodo Programs Manager works on 32 and 64 bit buddy.

AMO4EVER · Apr 3, 2013

After searching around some hidden directories I found not only some lisencing information for WCG the Bonic program's official name but I was able to find an uninstall program for it installed on my computer. Seems Sony agreed to install the World Community Grid software on the VAIO computers. You can't find anything about this on Sony's site but there seems to be enough press to support the claim. Revo did not see the program however I'm not absolutely sure I ever executed the install program nevertheless there was a hidden user account setup on my system. The info about this program is stashed on my C drive in a couple of Sony folders and here is an url for a blog post about this program. (http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dev/forum_thread.php?id=6128)
Seems the World Community Grid is the brainchild of a Berkeley project.
I intend to delete any and all pieces of this program so my resources are not shared with any outside agencies in order to ensure I have complete integrity of my laptop. Mahalo for the assistance with this issue!

AMO4EVER · Apr 3, 2013

Nick T said: ↑

Hey there AtlBo, Comodo Programs Manager works on 32 and 64 bit buddy.
Click to expand...

I do have a 64bit OS. Where do I find the Comodo Program Manager program?

Nick T · Apr 3, 2013

AMO4EVER, look right here,

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Comodo_Programs_Manager__d6942.html

AMO4EVER · Apr 3, 2013

Nick T said: ↑

AMO4EVER, look right here,

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Comodo_Programs_Manager__d6942.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the assistance.

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Bonic_master User Account

AMO4EVER Private E-2

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

AMO4EVER Private E-2

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

Colemanguy MajorGeek

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

AMO4EVER Private E-2

Attached Files:

Bonic1.pdf

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

AtlBo Major Geek Extraordinaire

Nick T MajorGeek

AMO4EVER Private E-2

AMO4EVER Private E-2

Nick T MajorGeek

AMO4EVER Private E-2