Utilities programs for Windows XP
Tuesday, September 9, 2003 by shadow98fl | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Can someone (everyone) give me some input? I am looking to purchase a good utilities program for Windows XP. Diagnostics & repair, registry cleaner/fixer/cleaner, and the like. I have been reading about a few on the net, but I think if I get some input from people who already have one, I can make a better decision and not be disappointed. So far, "Fix-it Utilities" from 3B Software looks good.
Give me some opinions peeps! Thanks in advance!
Jenny
Give me some opinions peeps! Thanks in advance!
Jenny
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No75
Reply #3 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 9:50 PM
Reply #3 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 9:50 PM
Well as for a registry cleaner/maintaining the registry, I use RegCleanr,its very fast and it has lots of options for deleting orphan entries etc..For disk health, I use Diskeeper 8.0, has an auto defrag mode that kicks in when the HD needs it, uses very little resources also, as for diagnostics, I would suggest using pcpitstop.com, create an account,log in and run the tests they offer,
they will tell ya what kinda problems XP is having and how to fix them,very helpful, and lastly, I use freeRAM XP Pro for memory performance
they will tell ya what kinda problems XP is having and how to fix them,very helpful, and lastly, I use freeRAM XP Pro for memory performance
kona0197
Reply #4 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 10:17 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 10:17 PM
i do not screw with the registry. Did that once upon a time a screwed up my machine. i was using fix it utilities 3.0 now i just leave it alone.
Koasati
Reply #5 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 11:10 PM
Reply #5 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 11:10 PM
I like VCOM's System Suite, (formerly Ontrack's). Lots of tools! I'm using version 4, but version 5 was released recently............. thinking seriously about upgrading.
I'm using version 4, but version 5 was released recently............. thinking seriously about upgrading.
SelfExiled
Reply #6 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 11:57 PM
Reply #6 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 11:57 PM
For Defragging - Perfect Disk by Raxco (my system has never crashed since using it)
For Utilities - TweakXP Pro and Norton Utilities
(TweakXP Pro can do things to optimize your system like you wouldn't believe, It's the best, a must see)
For Registry & Spyware - Spybot Search & Destroy (contains a registry cleaner too and its free)
If you're looking for the best, try TweakXP Pro. It will blow you away.
For Utilities - TweakXP Pro and Norton Utilities
(TweakXP Pro can do things to optimize your system like you wouldn't believe, It's the best, a must see)
For Registry & Spyware - Spybot Search & Destroy (contains a registry cleaner too and its free)
If you're looking for the best, try TweakXP Pro. It will blow you away.
SelfExiled
Reply #7 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 12:12 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 12:12 AM
I've tried them all. Advanced Registry Optimizer, Advanced System Optimizer, WinXP Manager, Registry Medic, Ram Utilities(a waste of time, get more Ram), Ontrack Utilities(Norton Utilities is better), Mindsoft Utilities etc..etc.
TweakXP Pro beats them all. Registry, system Optimize(video,modem,ram,page file) Ram recover(before 70mb free, after 200mb free), ad blocker, popup blocker, Internet Tweaks, Hardware Tweaks, Ram Drive, Cache Optimize, Windows Tweaks(Awesome!) etc etc) This program has it all, and it works flawlessly.
TweakXP Pro beats them all. Registry, system Optimize(video,modem,ram,page file) Ram recover(before 70mb free, after 200mb free), ad blocker, popup blocker, Internet Tweaks, Hardware Tweaks, Ram Drive, Cache Optimize, Windows Tweaks(Awesome!) etc etc) This program has it all, and it works flawlessly.
SelfExiled
Reply #8 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 12:14 AM
Reply #8 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 12:14 AM
Once you try TweakXP Pro you will definitely agree, it is the best. I guarantee it on my word.
ama02
Reply #9 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 1:13 AM
Reply #9 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 1:13 AM
Norton SystemWorks...has anti-virus, cleansweep, utilities.
Lavasoft Adaware...for spyware
TweakUI (a recent find for me)...allows you make tweaks and changes to various XP "unchangeable" interface items, with an easy-to-use window.
Lavasoft Adaware...for spyware
TweakUI (a recent find for me)...allows you make tweaks and changes to various XP "unchangeable" interface items, with an easy-to-use window.
wombat_1
Reply #10 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 1:30 AM
Reply #10 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 1:30 AM
The full Norton package.
TweakXP Pro, version 3 is due out soon.
And yes indeed, Lavasoft AdAware, updated on a regular basis.
TweakXP Pro, version 3 is due out soon.
And yes indeed, Lavasoft AdAware, updated on a regular basis.
shadow98fl
Reply #11 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 3:24 PM
Reply #11 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 3:24 PM
O.K. I'm going to start looking into the ones you all have mentioned so far. Chas- the Tweak-XP Pro, do you know who makes it? I have been looking around on the net, and there seems to be a few different ones with that name. Thanks!
kona0197
Reply #12 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 6:34 PM
loads to many things into memory at startup. hence the reason I do not use it. I use msconfig on a regular basis.
Reply #12 Wednesday, September 10, 2003 6:34 PM
| Norton Utilities |
loads to many things into memory at startup. hence the reason I do not use it. I use msconfig on a regular basis.
SelfExiled
Reply #13 Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:05 AM
Reply #13 Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:05 AM
TweakXP Pro Link is here. C:\Program Files\Tweak-XP Pro\Help\help.htm
Kona0197 - Norton Utilities does load a few things into memory. But, if you take them out, you will notice no great change, but that will compromise the program. I run it as a supplement to TweakXP Pro.
Unlike TweakXP Pro. I took out all its preloaders after the initial install, using Msconfig, and the program still works well. But, if you want a special app like transparency, you may need to keep the preloader. But, none of the special app's are preloaded with TweakXP Pro. If you do choose one, it will notify you that a restart may be required to load the app into memory. But, most of the apps work without a preloader.
Kona0197 - Norton Utilities does load a few things into memory. But, if you take them out, you will notice no great change, but that will compromise the program. I run it as a supplement to TweakXP Pro.
Unlike TweakXP Pro. I took out all its preloaders after the initial install, using Msconfig, and the program still works well. But, if you want a special app like transparency, you may need to keep the preloader. But, none of the special app's are preloaded with TweakXP Pro. If you do choose one, it will notify you that a restart may be required to load the app into memory. But, most of the apps work without a preloader.
Leo the Lion
Reply #14 Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:10 AM
Reply #14 Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:10 AM
The whole shooting match by Norton
Adaware by Lavasoft
They certainly do the trick
Adaware by Lavasoft
They certainly do the trick
RadialFX
Reply #15 Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:45 AM
Reply #15 Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:45 AM
Shadow, I agree with ChasUGC, TweakXP Pro is a really great program. Actually there are a lot of really good ones but this one really does stand out. Here is the url to the one he's talking about http://www.totalidea.com/frameset-products.htm . I hope that helps and good luck!
SelfExiled
Reply #16 Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:29 PM
Reply #16 Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:29 PM
Opps, I'm sorry about that. I didn't recognize the link was to a file on my hard drive. sheesh. Thanks RadialFX for straightening that out. This is the link that I was thinking about.
http://www.totalidea.com/frameset-tweakxp.htm
http://www.totalidea.com/frameset-tweakxp.htm
ImStein
Reply #17 Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:36 PM
Reply #17 Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:36 PM
Norton SYS 2003
Spy bot For the ad ware
its been working great for me
Spy bot For the ad ware
its been working great for me
shadow98fl
Reply #18 Thursday, September 11, 2003 9:57 PM
Reply #18 Thursday, September 11, 2003 9:57 PM
Thanks all! With the TweakXP Pro, is it very easy to screw up your machine? I just got a trial download of System Mechanic, and it made my incredimail gone! It could have been something worse, so I guess I was lucky (being new at this sort of program). So at this point, System Mechanic is out of the running. (Although it made my internet kick butt!!)
Any information is welcome and appreciated!
Any information is welcome and appreciated!
SelfExiled
Reply #19 Thursday, September 11, 2003 10:10 PM
Reply #19 Thursday, September 11, 2003 10:10 PM
Shadow,
About screwing up your machine. That is always possible. Always back up your critical files. When working with the registry, just be careful. Just because a registry fixer can't find the file, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. I always scan my system for a supposed orphan before I delete the reference. Basically, tweaking is a trial and error situation. But, if you really want to get into the heart of your system, TweakXP Pro is the best.(maybe this explains the "Pro" reference.)
Also, trial versions can be sort of dangerous. They sometimes leave out critical parts of the program which can lead to instability. GL.
About screwing up your machine. That is always possible. Always back up your critical files. When working with the registry, just be careful. Just because a registry fixer can't find the file, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. I always scan my system for a supposed orphan before I delete the reference. Basically, tweaking is a trial and error situation. But, if you really want to get into the heart of your system, TweakXP Pro is the best.(maybe this explains the "Pro" reference.)
Also, trial versions can be sort of dangerous. They sometimes leave out critical parts of the program which can lead to instability. GL.
Koasati
Reply #20 Thursday, September 11, 2003 10:32 PM
Reply #20 Thursday, September 11, 2003 10:32 PM
Leaving out critical files in a tweaking program demo, is a great way to decrease sales...... 
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Reply #1 Tuesday, September 9, 2003 6:23 PM
Optimize/defrag, backup, restore and cleanup.
[Message Edited]