Windows 8 System Mechanics

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eme

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#143716 24-Apr-2014 13:22

Does anyone have any experience with the System Mechanic utility software.

http://pc-system-utilities-software-review.toptenreviews.com/system-mechanic-review.html

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#1030578 24-Apr-2014 13:38

IMO PC Tune up software are useless and mostly install spyware/adware on top. Windows 8 has a built in system maintenance task setup that runs in the background when it needs to along with free anti virus scanner.

Do whatever you want to do man.

nathan

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#1030586 24-Apr-2014 14:05

what problem do you have, that you're trying to solve?

eme

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#1030599 24-Apr-2014 14:23

I am looking for geekzone opinions to support my decision to buy

1) how much is hype is there?
2) is it safe to install and run?
3) is it doing a good clean-up and main job?

eme

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#1030610 24-Apr-2014 14:30

billgates: IMO PC Tune up software are useless and mostly install spyware/adware on top. Windows 8 has a built in system maintenance task setup that runs in the background when it needs to along with free anti virus scanner.

AFG 2014 detail scan is showing some errors but won't clean them up without upgrading to chargeable version. I don't mind paying for it but want to make sure I have one of the best.

I Disk-Cleanup and defrag regularly with W8. It has got more sluggish over time.

nathan

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#1030617 24-Apr-2014 14:34

eme: I am looking for geekzone opinions to support my decision to buy

1) how much is hype is there?
2) is it safe to install and run?
3) is it doing a good clean-up and main job?

what problem do you think your PC has?

nathan

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#1030619 24-Apr-2014 14:35

eme:
billgates: IMO PC Tune up software are useless and mostly install spyware/adware on top. Windows 8 has a built in system maintenance task setup that runs in the background when it needs to along with free anti virus scanner.

AFG 2014 detail scan is showing some errors but won't clean them up without upgrading to chargeable version. I don't mind paying for it but want to make sure I have one of the best.

I Disk-Cleanup and defrag regularly with W8. It has got more sluggish over time.

what errors is the scan showing?

why do you think the PC is going sluggish? Do you install lots of software and uninstall it, or browser plugins etc? Is your PC just slow? Do you have a HDD or SSD?

Oblivian

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#1030624 24-Apr-2014 14:41

Nope.

Looks to me its a favorite money pit for people that like 1-click-wonder software

If anything is telling you your PC has errors, pay us money to fix. It'd be a whole lot less hassle doing a backup and reinstall if its that bad.

As for this example...
Combines defrag (Windows 8 already pre-optimises using prefetch etc especially if on a SSD)
'garbage cleaner' - Runs the windows cleanup util for you in the background
And adds its own AV suite.

All of which can do the same if not better job using standalone utilities.

As for 'speeding' things up by 'fixing' registry errors. If your registry is broken that much, you'll know about it and it's time to reinstall windows.

Seems all it does is delete all the temp files that you can do with MS own Windows Cleanup/Windows installer cleaner and claim to be saving you space and ultimately speed (TUI)

PCs/Windows slow down over time. Its the nature of the beast. Drive read differences as capacity increases or the heads seek different areas of the disk. Patches modify system files and add themselves to a list of locations to recover from automatically if needed. Newer apps need more Ram.

No bit of software that claims to make things as good as new without you doing some legwork can be taken with a grain of salt. Its what is called Snake Oil

As said, unless you have a specific identifiable problem causing impact and not a program telling you it can make things better. You would be wasting money/time

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Oblivian

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#1030627 24-Apr-2014 14:45

Oh look.. different company/Software. Same claims

You have things wrong, pay us and we can fix that!

eme

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#1030635 24-Apr-2014 14:52

nathan:
eme:
billgates: IMO PC Tune up software are useless and mostly install spyware/adware on top. Windows 8 has a built in system maintenance task setup that runs in the background when it needs to along with free anti virus scanner.

AFG 2014 detail scan is showing some errors but won't clean them up without upgrading to chargeable version. I don't mind paying for it but want to make sure I have one of the best.

I Disk-Cleanup and defrag regularly with W8. It has got more sluggish over time.

what errors is the scan showing?

why do you think the PC is going sluggish? Do you install lots of software and uninstall it, or browser plugins etc? Is your PC just slow? Do you have a HDD or SSD?

1) I am just doing another AVG scan and will list the errors.
2) Its my home/work PC for work, i have tools to play around with, so not much app install/deinstall activity.
3) I have three Internet 80GB drives 1) Windows, 2) Apps, 3) My data.
4) CPU ADM Athlon II X2 255 Processor 3.1Ghz, 200GB RAM, 64Bit OS
5) I suspect Registery clutter/corroption, possible infection by something despite AVG 2014
6) Whole computer AVG 2014 scann is still running

Oblivian

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#1030643 24-Apr-2014 15:04

AVG full suite will grind a processor of that age to a halt for a start.

2G RAM (Id love to see a PC stat with 200G) is absolute minimum on a 64b OS, as soon as you run 32b apps it needs to open them in what can be related to a virtual environment

80Gb drives were not fast as their larger cached brothers. If you are unlucky enough to have purchased 'green' ones consisting of multiple small platters and not a single 80 platter, even more so.

That is AMDs intel dual core equivalent released in Jan 25, 2010

Time for some more RAM, a faster HDD and a fresh install if it has all been upgrades to this point

eme

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#1030646 24-Apr-2014 15:06

Yes Oblvian, same as free AVG 2014, run scan, show errors, click to upgrade to chargeable version,
normal marketing stuff.

Re-install is a painful option for me becuase I have critical software legally downloaded with a limited set of authentication keys. I am out of keys, so would have to buy again.
S questions remain. What is an effective tool set?

xpd

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#1030659 24-Apr-2014 15:19

Run MalwareBytes ,followed by CCleaner to clear out your temp files and registry, then run a full virus scan. (AVG, Avast, MSE, take your pick)

XPD / Gavin

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Oblivian

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#1030667 24-Apr-2014 15:30

That is the question now, originally you asked for input on particular software. Which you now have, it is of no advantage. Especially without a system upgrade or reinstall going forward.

So to answer. There is no particular toolset that is likely to magically make things faster from now on a 3+year old installation without some intervention other than
CCleaner
a smaller AV suite (not an all-in-one fix which runs many backgroud tasks)
Built in windows optimisations which are automatic
Malwarebytes

As for software and keys. Read the licence terms and talk to the reseller before assuming you will need to pay for it again. Keys are usually given to limit and prevent multiple installations/activations and mis-use of software. There should be methods in place to 'release' old keys when PCs are replaced or reinstalled, or at the very least manage installed instances online to renew spares when uninstalling software. If it is something that has say 1-5 user/install license. That should be valid for 5 simultaneous installations. Not just install it 5 times and that's it.

eme

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#1030674 24-Apr-2014 15:42

Thanks for your advice. So..

I'll buy a new box with fresh OS
Reinstall all again
Keep it clean with ccleaner MalewareBytes & AVG free
Pay for my authenticated software again, (I have looked into it last time I replaced my PC, no option but to buy again).
Keep current PC as my backup and to migrate my data across.

Not bad after 4 years of trouble free use from my current pc.

xpd

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#1030701 24-Apr-2014 16:35

You're going to buy a new PC ? Wow.... just do what I suggested above and youll probably find your PC runs fine - unless you need a faster CPU etc......

XPD / Gavin

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