How to remove this stupid Nielson application?

Question

How to remove this stupid Nielson application?

"Nielson Audio" is messing with my computer. It's locked on default (over "internal speakers"), and it's cutting my speakers (when I change it to "internal speakers", it automatically switches back to "Nielson Audio" and the audio cuts). I can't find Nielson ANYWHERE on my laptop to uninstall it. It isn't in my Applications Folder, and Finder can't even find it. Even "CleanMyMac3" can't find it! What do I do?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), null

Posted on Aug 19, 2015 10:53 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 20, 2015 4:07 AM in response to Eric_Champlin

This discussion may be of assistance:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6847931

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Aug 20, 2015 10:06 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thank you for trying, but I've already done that and Nielson isn't found in Library > Sounds.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 20, 2015 10:59 AM in response to Eric_Champlin

Download EasyFind:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/easyfind/id411673888?mt=12

You may be able to find elements of Nielson using it. It often works when Spotlight fails.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Aug 20, 2015 3:06 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Awesome application! Although, it was unable to find the Nielson program (it just found the word in my search history). Any other ideas?

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 20, 2015 3:12 PM in response to Eric_Champlin

There is the option of erasing the HDD, reinstalling the OSX and then restoring your data, but making certain that the offending application is not reinstalled as well.

Ciao.

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Answer 6

Aug 20, 2015 3:25 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Sounds promising. How would I go about doing that?

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 20, 2015 3:53 PM in response to Eric_Champlin

This entails a lot of work. Backup your data. Dust off the original Snow Leopard installation disks.

Boot the MBP with the SL disk and after the language selection, the display should have a menu bar on top.

Click on UTILITIES.

From the drop down menu, click on Disk Utility.

Run Disk Utility>Erase using as the format Mac OS Extended (Journaled). All data will be erased from the HDD.

Exit DU and complete the SL installation.

System Preferences should no longer show Nielsen.

Upgrade to 10.6.8 via SL combo:

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=en_US

Reinstall Yosemite,

Again check System Preferences to see if Nielsen is absent. It should not be there.

Systematically reinstall your user data, checking System Preferences for Nielsen.

If and when it does, then you have discovered the culprits hideout, at least approximately.

Then you would have to delete the last update and if possible, divide it into smaller groups in order to isolate Nielsen.

Before you start this, consider an Internet search to see if there is a simpler solution.

Ciao.

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