Help me to choose my softwares !

Hi all,

This is my first message in the forum

Well, I hesitate between many softwares and I would like to have your opinions before choosing. I've trialed some apps but I've had various issues (errors, slowdowns, etc...) so I've flagged them as "discarded".
I have a short list including "popular" apps but it's just a suggestion (I do not know all the softwares available !).

So, according to your experience, what would be the best choices ? (effectiveness-reliability-safety)


1) Registry Cleaner/Defrag
=> Discarded : JV16 Powertools 2007, CCleaner

Short List :
- Amust Registry Cleaner
- Ace Utilities
- TuneUp Utilities 2007
- Registry Mechanic/System Mechanic
- Reg Organizer
- Others ?

2) Uninstaller
=> Discarded : Ashampoo Uninstaller, Total Uninstall, YourUninstaller!, Revo Uninstaller

Short List :
- ZSoft Uninstaller
- Reg Organizer
- Smarty Uninstaller
- Others ?

3) Defrag tool
=> Discarded : Disk Defrag, UltimateDefrag, jkDefrag

Short List :
- PerfectDisk
- Diskeeper
- O&O Defrag Pro
- Paragon Total Defrag
- Others ?


4) Antispyware/Antitrojan
=> Discarded : SuperAntispyware, Spyware Terminator, SpyBot S&D

Short List :
- AVG Antispyware
- CounterSpy
- Spy Sweeper
- Ad-Aware 2007
- Pest Patrol
- Spyware Doctor
- Others ?

5) Backup tools
=> Discarded : none

Short List :
- SyncBack
- Acronis True Image Home
- Others ?

6) DSL optimizers
=> Discarded : none

Short List :
- TCP Optimizer (Speedguide)
- Others ?


Thanks in advance for your help !


NB : I have XP Pro SP2

 

Can anyone suggest anything ?

 

Backup tools : ShadowProtect Desktop v3, there is no better one, quite expensive $80, but worth its price, if you want a fast and reliable Image Backup software.
I use Karen's Replicator for data backup, because it's as fast as ShadowProtect.

I don't see any Immediate System Recovery software on your list ?
The combination ShadowProtect and FirstDefense-ISR will make you invincible and keep your computer CLEAN and working properly.

I wouldn't ditch SUPERAnti-Spyware, one of the best AS around.

 

Hi Olio, looking at your post, I suspect people may be put off by the fact that you seem to have errors or slowdowns with a lot of stuff people use, and they likely figure most anything will give you errors or cause slowdowns, possibly.

Anyways I use Ccleaner, though not for registry cleaning or defrag but for cleaning general crap off my drive, temp folders etc. Never had a problem, no errors and no slowdown since it's an on demand thing, I actualy find it does its business quite quickly.

Registry Cleaning, I use Regseeker, on the few occaisions I venture into the registry, and with great care. I suspect if there ever is an error with this it will be me

Uninstaller, afraid I use Revo, again no errors or slowdowns

Defrag, I use windows built in one, not fancy or clever but does what I need, no errors, though it is a bit slow.

Antispyware, I use SAS, occaisionally, only on demand, so no slowdown, and no errors

Backup I use Acronis for image, FD-ISR as a system backup, and Karen's Replicator for data. no errors and no slowdown that I am aware of.

DSL Optimisers, never heard of them

 

Hi, Olio1:
I like to make it short; those apps you list as "discard" are based on your OWN hand-on experiences(namely, causing errors, slowdowns etc). And you probably also aware that each one's pc is different from one another, just like your face is NOT the same as your friends'. Therefore, your daily hygiene products are definitely NOT the same as theirs. By the same token, you need to try each one on your short list in order to find an optimal one for your needs. Be frank, some of your discards are actually my favorites; such as Your Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller, UltimateDefreg and SAS. Any suggestions from my part will NOT do you any good. DIY(do it yourself) is the best way, and no other way, IMO. Good luck.

 

Hi Olio1,

1. Regseeker, or RegHealer
2. Revo uninstaller
3. perfect disc
4. AVG AS
5. Shadow Protect
6. Use DSL Reports tools & post results there

Take Care
Rico

 

See my signature to see my security set-up... It's the one I would recommend on real-time. One demand you can have as many as you want, there is always the chance of some program missing some malware...but be aware that you can have false-positives.
SAS is one of the best antispywares. SpySweeper I would discard due to resource hogging.
For defragging I use jkDefrag
For system cleaning and optimizing, TuneUp2007.
What browser do you use? Consider Firefox or Opera.

 

1) Registry Cleaner/Defrag- Don,t ever use them. Not needed.
2) Uninstaller- Don,t waste ur money. None is good. Use the one provided by software or windows. Ur image backup will take care of it.
3) Defrag tool- Window,s one is enough. Never felt any difference.
4) Antispyware/Antitrojan- Not needed. Ur AV must cover it. Time is near when u will see all of dedicated AS dying one by one( just my guess).
5) Backup tools- It,s the thing u must have. Try and decide which one is good for u. ATI works for some and for some it doesn,t. SP is very good and reliable as well, also fast. ( u must do a restore to test any imaging software).
6) DSL optimizers- Not sure what u mean. It must be optimized itself but I have no experience really. Seems an advertisement effect.

U can find better ways to spend ur money and time.

 

Agree with this.

 

For registry-maintanance, try this link for some set-it-and-forget-it apps. http://wiki.castlecops.com/User:PCBruiser/Registry_Maintenance

 

Thank you all for your wise advice

Well, as I told you, I had some serious issues, mainly with uninstallers and registry cleaners (namely JV16 PowerTools and Total Uninstall). Concerning backup tools, I am an absolute beginner but it seems that nowadays, they are a must-have. I am going to trial as many apps as possible, hoping to find a well-tailored "package". I will keep you informed !

Thanks again for your valuable help
Cheers

PS : I currently use the following apps : Firefox, Thunderbird, Antivir Premium and Look'n'Stop.

 

A very fine combo your using.

 

Hi Olio1

Ready to toe the line?
So, here we go -

1) Absolutely useless when using XP. In the long run, this is the best way to corrupt it.
From time to time, just compact your registry with NTREGOPT.

2) Useless.

3) PerfectDisk 8
Nothing can compare to PerfectDisk.

4) Useless.
Nowadays, an effective antivirus must take care of it (virus, spyware, trojan, etc.)... and you've got it!
Imho, Antivir Premium is ahead of Kaspersky, Nod32 and so on.

5) You mean "data backup"?
If so, I would suggest the following free programs : Cobian Backup, SyncBack or Comodo Backup. Just make your pick -

6) TCP Optimizer (from SpeedGuide) : easy to use and effective to find out the best Internet settings.

If you are a little paranoid, you can add to your short-list a HIPS (Online Armor or ProSecurity). In the same way, you may use DropMyRights as well.
Since you use Firefox (mandatory!) don't forget to protect the FF cache (read this excellent tutorial from an expert : http://speedweb1.free.fr/frames2.php?page=securite6).

Ciao

 

Registry Cleaner Ace Utilities or System TuneUp(new version of Ace)
UninstallerNot needed.
Defrag Tool Not needed.
Antispyware/AntitrojanOf the choices that you listed I'd choose CounterSpy.
Backup ToolsAnything but Acronis.
DSL OptimisersNot needed.

 

1) Registry Cleaner
TuneUp Utilities 2007

2) Uninstaller
Rollback Rx is my uninstaller

3) Defrag tool
Not needed
(Rollback defrags it's own snapshots)

4) Antispyware/Antitrojan
All is in my sig
(although I hear good things about CounterSpy)
I'd forget about Adaware,unless you need a cookie detector.

5) Backup tools
Rollback Rx

6) DSL optimizers
None, do not believe these are needed.