Author Topic: Best Utilities/Optimizer? (Read 483 times)

Halo · « **on:** July 20, 2005, 06:28:11 PM »

Having abandoned Norton SystemWorks 2002 as my computer optimizer (it was getting old, and too many problems reported with 2005 version), I'm looking for the best Windows XP utilities/optimizer program.

I dutifully used the XP disk cleaner for a month or so, but gradually my computer got slower and slower.

So I downloaded the trial version of the German program TuneUp Utilities 2004. It identified several hundred problems, fixed them all, and my computer again runs much better.

Check it out via a Google search or similar. Not as well known as some other programs, but gets rave reviews from users.

What XP utilities/optimizer do you prefer?

I have 20 days left on the free trial version of TuneUp. Two things give me pause: $35 price and permission to use on only one computer. I have two computers at home and don't think I should have to pay twice for the same program.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2005, 06:43:58 PM »

Best and cheapest tune-up and optimize:

Regular format C:

With windoze XP the need should be limited to about once a year or less if youre lucky. No use paying for software only to delay the inevitable.

llama · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2005, 01:07:27 PM »

If you aren't exactly thrilled with Norton Systemworks, then I recommend Iolo's System Mechanic.

It lacks a Norton Disk Doctor-like application, but if you have XP, XP's own disk checker, combined with NTFS's native robustness compared with FAT32, will be just fine.

Otherwise, it has everything you'd want in a good suite: antivirus, antispyware, disk wipers, defragmenters, a firewall (for the pro version), and about 50 small utilities that you could probably get freeware equivalents of, but here they all live in one standard interface and update scheme.

I reviewed two versions of it over two years for CPU Magazine, and it has evolved nicely, and isn't coming from a company that is trying to screw you into buying new products every 6 months.

Hope this helps,
Warr

AmRaaM · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2005, 09:31:22 PM »

hmm been using xp since it came out on the same hard drive, be its only 80 megs (bigdog back then) and have yet to reformat it in literally years. Have had 1 other max hd take a dump on same rig (back up disk) but thats only probs. I regulary run scan and consolidate. #1 thing i've learned is to not just blindly use a reg cleaning prog or optimization prog unless you FULLY understand it. Since then have yet to crash a disk.

Halo · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2005, 04:43:14 PM »

Thanks for the inputs. I ran out the full 30-day trial of TuneUp Utilities 2004 and decided to go ahead and buy it. My computer definitely seems faster and happier with its help.

croduh · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2005, 01:24:53 PM »

let me tell you something - no utilies will help you if you have 1 year old xp.FORMAT HARD DISK AND REINSTALL

Mustaine · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2005, 01:42:50 PM »

going on 2 years not a single problem wiht xp.

i do defrag maybe once every 6 months, and chk disk at that time.

also to mention, i have never had a virus on this box, no spyware, and no malware.

my system is reported as totally clean by ms anti spyware, adaware, and spybot all with their current patches.

did a virus scan about 3 months ago and nothing to see here again with all current updates.

i dont even run virus / firewall in the background.

as skuzzy has said, if you configure your PC correct, you dont have much to worry about. i have 18 processes running in normao running mode, and never a "slow pc" problem.