Someone has downloaded several versions of the SETI / BOINC programs onto a very large network of computers without any authorization to do so. I have been tasked with removing all versions of the program from all the computers, and was hoping someone could offer some guidance at detecting and removing the program through the network.

I am assuming Windows.

I don't know if this helps at all, but BOINC uses a standard uninstaller.

BOINC remote control is over port 31416.

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BOINC WIKI

Yes, they are all Windows XP 32bit PCs. Thanks for the information, it's certainly a starting point.

You will likely also want to delete the Data folder which the uninstall will leave behind. Most likely it will be found at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\BOINC\

Sorry that this individual caused you trouble. It clearly states in the rules for BOINC to only run BOINC on Computers you have permission to run on. CLearly He did not.

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

Thanks for the help and understanding so far, everyone.
I have identified one particular computer that is actively running the program, and would like to experiment with removing the program from that computer over the network.

The remote control port mentioned above, though, does not respond to a browser request, which I made the assumption to try.

What is the method of accessing the program remotely, using this port?

Thanks for the help and understanding so far, everyone.
I have identified one particular computer that is actively running the program, and would like to experiment with removing the program from that computer over the network.

The remote control port mentioned above, though, does not respond to a browser request, which I made the assumption to try.

What is the method of accessing the program remotely, using this port?

The port mentioned by JM7 is only used by Boinc for its own communication/remote monitoring.
You should use normal intranetwork methods of remote accessing computers on the network if it exists.

Thanks for the help and understanding so far, everyone.
I have identified one particular computer that is actively running the program, and would like to experiment with removing the program from that computer over the network.

The remote control port mentioned above, though, does not respond to a browser request, which I made the assumption to try.

What is the method of accessing the program remotely, using this port?

Unfortunately, you have to install BOINC or some substitute BOINC Manager in order to control BOINC hosts over port 31416. You also have to know the password which is in gui_rpc_auth.cfg in the BOINC directory.

You can get your processing back quickly if the person that installed BOINC used the same password everywhere, and you identify it. You can use BOINC's own remote control to tell every BOINC installation to stop processing. Then later at your leisure, you can worry about uninstalling.

The BOINC data directory can be discovered by looking at the first few messages after a startup of BOINC, or in the registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Space Sciences Laboratory, U.C. Berkeley\BOINC Setup.

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BOINC WIKI

To completely get rid of all parts of BOINC, you have to do more than just uninstall it and clean the registry. The accounts that BOINC made and uses stay on the systems as well.

You may want to look at my FAQ http://boincfaq.mundayweb.com/index.php?language=1&view=490, which details what you have to do to get rid of BOINC completely.

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Terminix, could you email me at rwalton @ ssl DOT berkeley DOT edu?

Depending on how everything was installed it might be as easy as deprecating the application within AD, then Windows will uninstall the app during the next Group Policy update.

Thanks in advance.

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----- Rom
BOINC Development Team, U.C. Berkeley
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