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No one is a bigger fan of freeware than I am. Yet I have to admit that for some purposes, free software comes up short. One of those purposes is Windows system maintenance. If you rely solely on the tools built into Windows to keep your PC running safely and smoothly, trouble will find you soon enough. It may even find you if you rely on a single commercial package for protection. This point was driven home for me when I tested the new version 10 of Iolo Technologies' $40 utility package (a fully functional 30-day free trial is available). While there are many free system tools that do a better job of maintaining your PC than Windows' own utilities, none that I've used can match the thoroughness and simplicity of System Mechanic.
• converts GEDCOM files to HTML files for uploading to a website.
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(I reviewed Piriform's in a post from February 2009, and back in April I compared.) When I ran System Mechanic's 'Deep Analysis' on my test Vista PC, the program discovered 11 separate problems, including 31 security vulnerabilities, an unnecessary and dangerous startup program, 71 broken shortcuts, 2.5GB of system clutter, and more than 3,000 Registry errors. All of these glitches were unearthed immediately after I had scanned the PC using both Windows' own system utilities and Symantec's $80.
The pretest runs of the Windows tools and Norton 360 had reported that the machine was fully secure and optimized. Fast, thorough system checks with only a couple of clicks During System Mechanics' installation, you're asked whether you want to add the PC Health Status Gadget to your desktop. (The option to do so is checked by default.) This adds the program's gadget to the desktop sidebar and shows via a green-yellow-red gauge your system's status. Click the gadget to open a window that provides an overview of your PC's health.
Iolo Technologies' System Mechanic places a PC-health gauge on the Windows sidebar that shows your system's status at a glance. Screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly/CNET The first time you open the program, you're prompted to perform either a Quick Analysis or a Deep Analysis. Since the Deep Analysis is estimated to take only 5 to 7 minutes (as opposed to 1 to 2 minutes for the Quick Analysis), I recommend the more thorough test.
The first time you open System Mechanic, you're prompted to perform either a Quick Analysis or a Deep Analysis. Screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly/CNET During the Deep Analysis, you're asked whether you want to check your hard disks for errors, which the program warns can add up to an hour to the time required to complete the scan. You're also cautioned not to cancel the disk test while it's in progress. System Mechanic's Deep Analysis can include a disk-error check, which can prolong the scan by up to an hour. Screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly/CNET When I tested the program, the disk checks added only a few minutes to the overall scan time.
Iolo Pc Health Status Gadget![]()
When System Mechanic's Deep Analysis completed, I was surprised to find 11 separate items reported as requiring attention, especially considering both Windows' built-in system tools and Norton 360's maintenance utilities had indicated just prior to the scan that the machine was in ship-shape. System Mechanic's Deep Analysis discovered 11 problems that Windows' own tools and Norton 360 failed to identify.
Screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly/CNET Maintenance scan uncovers a malware infection The most troubling of the errors System Mechanic found was an unneeded and potentially dangerous startup program named WMSvc.exe. After looking for more information about this program, I was left scratching my head. For example, Bleepingcomputer.com confirms System Mechanic's report that added by the W32/Rbot-UG network worm and should be removed, while indicates that WMSvc.exe is 'valid' and related to Microsoft's Internet Information Services Web Management Service. System Mechanic identified the WMSvc.exe program as an unneeded startup program and potentially dangerous. Screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly/CNET I took no chances and deleted the program.
I then reran Norton 360's malware scanner and performed an additional scan using, both of which gave the system a clean bill of health. Many PC users wonder whether the time they spend running maintenance utilities translates into time saved through improved system performance and reliability. I didn't notice faster startups or other speed boosts on the 5-year-old Vista machine I used to test System Mechanic. But considering the machine's age, I'm happy just to keep it running at all, which may be the true benefit of a program such as System Mechanic. Besides, there are so many variables to performance from system to system that you can't expect the results seen on one machine to indicate a similar outcome on another. The discovery of an infection on a machine that one of the leading antivirus apps had reported as virus-free is a reminder that you can't expect any security program to catch every threat and potential threat on your system. PC users need an assortment of tools to keep their systems running safely and smoothly.
A $40 investment in System Mechanic buys you peace of mind. What's having a few less things to worry about worth to you?
System Mechanic Professional System Mechanic Optimize your PC for peak performance Repair problems and errors, and prevent them from recurring Clean up system clutter Fixes dangerous settings to prevent intruders and attacks Maintain reliability and speed System Shield – certified antivirus and antispyware protection that won’t slow you down Search and Recover – recover accidentally deleted files, photos, email and more from any drive or media DriveScrubber – securely erase data from your hard drive. How to think straight about psychology notes.
System Mechanic Professional System Mechanic Optimize your PC for peak performance Repair problems and errors, and prevent them from recurring Clean up system clutter Fixes dangerous settings to prevent intruders and attacks Maintain reliability and speed System Shield – certified antivirus and antispyware protection that won’t slow you down Search and Recover – recover accidentally deleted files, photos, email and more from any drive or media DriveScrubber – securely erase data from your hard drive.
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Download Iolo Pc Health Status Gadget
Arris SB6190 Cable Modem. APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL. Two things to try. Turn off the gadget, then re-enable through System Mechanic: From the Individual Tools pane, click Manage Add-ons and then click Stop next to Configure PC Health Status Gadget. From the Individual Tools pane, click Manage Add-ons and then click Start next to Configure PC Health Status Gadget.
Try turning off, then re-enabling the Windows Gadget Platform Scroll down to Windows Gadget Platform Untick it and reboot Repeat, but retick it Open gadgets and add the SM gadget again. Similar help and support threads Thread Forum Which is better. Performance & Maintenance Hello All, My laptop (Dell Studio 1550, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit) just gave me the black screen upon start-up.
The Iolo System Mechanic had defragged the registry, I think, and it seems that the process had damaged my laptop's registry. I've ran sfc /scannow with no issues, but the.
BSOD Help and Support Is this program safe to use? Software and also i get problems need to be repaired in iolo system mechanics from hard drive repair section every week it appears even thought i i use the check disk in window to repair but new problem i think appears a week later and i get a could not fine this item and so i have to press try again. Performance & Maintenance The problem started at first every time I started using iTunes. But I also started using iOlo for all of my security needs.
Just when I thought I had it figured out, it now crashes more frequently and while using other programs. It reads APCindexmismatch.
Here is the pop-up and the dmp. BSOD Help and Support Our Sites Site Links About Us Find Us.
System Mechanic has released a new version and we have been hearing a lot of good things about the new System Mechanic Professional so we thought we would take it for a test drive. Iolo technologies offer two versions of System mechanic. The will fix and speed up your computer by optimizing it for peak performance, repairing problems and errors, cleaning up the system clutter and fixing security vulnerabilities. The does all of that plus includes some extra goodies.
I understand if not, I don't want to ask somebody to bend over backwards on account of my ignorance. I'm very relieved that there's a solution out there, but is there any chance it could be translated into luddite terminology?
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The System Mechanic Professional includes System Shield and Anti-Spyware program, Search and Recover to rescue deleted files and DriverScrubber to secure and erase data from a used hard drive. System Mechanic now offers a service called Whole Home Licensing. While some software companies only allow you to install their products on up to 3 PCs, such restrictions can seem arbitrary and outdated for today’s multi-PC households.
With iolo’s industry-first Whole Home Licensing, System Mechanic breaks through the 3-PC restriction to help you fix and speed up each and every one of your household PCs. This innovative new feature makes it easy for you to continue benefiting from System Mechanic’s comprehensive array of performance-tuning services—now delivered with even more value than ever before! See what’s new in System Mechanic 16, featuring PowerSense that monitors your activity in real time and adjusts the PC power levels to deliver maximum performance when needed, Ultra Performance Mode, Endurance Mode, and more.
What’s new in System Mechanic 16 The installation of System Mechanic Professional is pretty straightforward. The choices of programs that come with the professional version are Search and Recover, DriveScrubber, System Shield and are all optional components.
This next screen gives you the option to install a gadget that will show real-time system health status. I chose to install the gadget because, quite simply, I like gadgets. This is the main dashboard that shows a system analysis is required. Not much choice but to hit the analyze now button so I did so. Here is a screen shot of System Mechanic in action doing an initial analysis. The analysis shows that my system status is poor and I have the option to Repair All or View the problems.
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