Re: Windows Installer launches for some reason - OT

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

From: Ken Halter (Ken_Halter_at_Use_Sparingly_Hotmail.com)
Date: 08/11/04 

Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 09:56:32 -0700

Ralph wrote:
> Ken,
>
> System Mechanic looks like something I could use (replace my odd, eclectic
> collection of tools I use now). But I am confused by their list of features.
> The table provided appears to show identical features for both 'regular' and
> 'pro'?
>
> In your experience is 'Pro' worth it? Or what is the difference, besides
> price?

It depends. The Pro version comes with....

Search and Recover ("Easily recover lost or deleted files")
System Shield Professional ("Protect against identity theft")
DriveScrubber Professional ("Securely wipe all data from any hard or
floppy drive")
Award-Winning Virus Protection ("Complete protection from viruses,
trojans, worms")
Ultra-Secure Personal Firewall ("The latest generation firewall")

Those don't come with the non-pro version so if you think you'll never
use them or already have alternatives, save the $20 bucks.

On the other hand, iirc, their "non-pro" version has most of this stuff
but it's basically trialware and buying each piece separately costs
more. fwiw, I have the pro version but don't use any of the stuff above
(go figure). If it weren't for the upgrade discount I got, I would've
stayed with their non-pro version.

Here's their list.... the stuff I use regularly starts with (use). Stuff
I've tried but rarely use starts with (rare). You'll notice that there
aren't that many things I use <g>

System Mechanic ® 4
    High-speed Disk defragmentation using patent-pending Caterpillar
Technology
(rare) Memory defragmentation and recovery
    Spyware and malware parasite protection
(use) Clean up junk and obsolete files and system debris
(use) Clean, defragment, compact, and backup the system Registry
(use) Increase Internet and download speeds up to 300%
    Eliminate annoying popup advertisements
(use) Manage the items that start when Windows does
    Clean up error-producing and duplicate files and drivers
    Schedule unattended critical system maintenance
(use) Tweak and customize almost 100 hidden Windows settings
    Find and fix broken Windows shortcuts
(use) Search and remove invalid uninstallers
    Securely delete sensitive files, documents, and other data
(rare) Erase the tracks left behind when surfing the Internet
(rare) Eliminate Internet and browser clutter
Advanced Virus Protection
    Protection from viruses
    Protection from worms
    Protection from trojans
    Integrated e-mail protection
Ultra-Secure Internet Firewall
    Prevent unauthorized access to PCs from the Internet
    Prevent unauthorized access to PCs from networks
Search and Recover ™
    Recover deleted files, folders, documents, pictures, and more
    Resurrect lost or deleted email
    Get back deleted photos and music from digital cameras, MP3 players,
and other media devices
    Create and use drive, CDROM, and DVDROM images as the ultimate
backup solution
System Shield ® Professional
     Wipe away dangerous system information build-up using maximum
security methods to protect against identity theft and corporate espionage

    Schedule automatic unattended data protection
DriveScrubber ® Professional
    Securely wipe all data from any hard or floppy drive
    Clean up after stubborn virus attacks or system corruption
    Destroy all data before donating, selling, or giving away drives

> Also while on the subject (or rather off it <g>). I am looking for a new
> virus-checker. Norton while useful in large domains, is bloated and horribly
> slow for home or small clients. Which would you recommend?

Here's the one I use at home (below)... I'm using their freeware version
and it works as well as any other I've had. Quite a few people swear by
it (which is why I tried it in the first place). There are a couple of
minor UI annoyances but no "show stoppers".

AVG Anti-Virus
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

I came very close to buying this one (below) but stuck with the one
above for obvious (free) reasons <g> This one claims to have the
smallest foot print of any virus scanner (which is about the opposite of
NAV). I ran the trial until it ended and had zero problems with it.

eTrust EZ Antivirus 2005
http://www.my-etrust.com/products/Antivirus.cfm?CFID=546075&CFTOKEN=d6c1204c01b99ff2-F1BB7269-FACB-0435-9CF49E8DCBA65C70

fwiw, I went looking *after* buying 2 copies of Norton Internet Security
for use at home. I had so many problems with that (in XP pro) that I
nearly threw my PC out the window. Uninstalling NIS solved all problems
I had at that time. I thought... "couldn't be Norton's fault" so, after
a couple of weeks, I re-installed and basically re-installed the
problems along with it. Now, I look at the NIS boxes sitting in my
closet and have come to the conclusion that I've spent around $160 bucks
for software that's junk.... and I'm using free software that works great. 

-- 
Ken Halter - MS-MVP-VB - http://www.vbsight.com
Please keep all discussions in the groups..

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