PrismXL Removal Instructions
Now in it's 5th year!

There are a few links on the Internet that show you how to Disable the PRISMXL service, but none of them show you how to REMOVE it completely from your computer.  Now there is...

PrismXL is a program by New Boundary Technologies that was designed to make IT Administrators and PC Manufacturers lives easier, giving them a way to quickly deploy software.  As far as I know, both eMachines and Gateway use this software to do their "MASS Rollouts".  Fact is, it's great software, but once the PC is in your house, the usefulness of PrismXL is gone.  The software should have been removed from the HDD before it got put in the box and sent to the store.  Oh well, to err is human...

Here's how to get it off of your computer:

NOTE: If you don't have an eMachine or Gateway, I can't tell you why PrismXL is on your computer.  Maybe other manufacturers are using it for deployment and maybe you've got yourself a nice Virus on your computer.  As always, tooling around in the Windows Registry can be hazardous to your (and your computers) health.  These instructions are for Windows XP Pro/MCE/Home and all 32-Bit versions of Vista (I can only assume this will work with Windows7, but I make NO CLAIMS that it will.  Also, when I get my hands on a 64-Bit incarnation of Vista and Windows7 with PrismXL on it, I'll revise this page).  They may or may not work for newer/older operating systems.  THIS INFORMATION IS HERE AS A COURTESY IF YOU MEET THE ABOVE CRITERIA.  IF YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!  PLEASE BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY and/or HDD BEFORE YOU BEGIN, IN CASE YOU MAKE A MISTAKE.  Obviously, if you don't know how to backup your Registry or HDD, this is NOT something you should consider doing either.

1. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and choose "Manage". Go to "Services and Applications" then click on "Services" and Right-click on the PrismXL service and choose "stop".  (FOR THE NOVICE: This step turns off PrismXL so that you can remove it from your computer)

2. Next, browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\New Boundary OR C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lanovation, then delete the New Boundary or Lanovation folder. (FOR THE NOVICE: This step will delete the program files PrismXL uses to execute)

3. From Start/Run, type "regedit". Go to HKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\PrismXL. Delete the PrismXL key. (FOR THE NOVICE: This step removes the entries in the System Registry that contain the settings for PrismXL)

4. If you have a shortcut in Start Menu\Programs\Startup called "Install Pending Files" delete the shortcut. (FOR THE NOVICE: This step removes an instruction to run the PrismXL install program every time your computer boots up)

5. If you have the folder C:\Program Files\SIFXINST, delete the SIFXINST folder. (FOR THE NOVICE: This step removes the folder that contains the PrismXL install files.  It may or may not be on your computer)

The service is now fully removed.
After a reboot, it will no longer be listed in Services and it will be gone forever. (Or it will be unless you do a System Restore)

ADDED 1/2/2010: This page helped 8,495 different people in 2009! (Amazing, I keep hoping to see this number go DOWN!)
ADDED 1/1/2009: This page helped 6,794 different people in 2008! (How many people did YOU help in 2008?!)
ADDED 1/1/2008: This page helped 4,100 different people in 2007! (The problem gets worse!)
ADDED 1/1/2007: This page helped 2,924 different people in 2006!

It has been our pleasure to bring this page to your rescue.  Please share it with others.