I just downloaded an everything fixer that I found on MSNBC. Anyone know if it's legit?

[Maraya1969]

http://www.liveinformed.com/adfusion.aspx?UserFeedGuid=44bc5aa9-a896-4f2a-9bd8-b44074f14def&ArticleId=817&title=Is-Your-Computer-Slower-Than-When-You-Bought-It-&reload=true

First off this is a trial. The real program costs $29 which I do not think is that bad. And my computer is running slower than when I first got it.

I just downloaded it and now it is running and so far there are almost 200 errors. Now I am on a screen where I am supposed to "fix all errors".

That many errors is a heck of a lot of errors and I am wondering if it is some sort of bullshit. The link came from the MSNBC home page and I tend to trust these things just because of where they come from.

Anyway, who knows about this? If it really works it sounds great.



The first few paragraphs about the program.

"ARA) - Is your PC slower now than when you bought it? Do you get error messages when you try to un-install software? Do you have desktop icons that aren't working?

If so, your computer is likely experiencing problems with its registry database, the operating system component that stores information about the system, application settings and hardware. Even if you're extremely careful about how you use your computer and never download questionable material, over time it is inevitable that your system will accumulate unwanted registry entries, errors, clutter and debris.

The most common causes are the installation and removal of software, online games, application crashes and upgrades of software programs. While many errors will go unnoticed, the more errors your computer has, the higher the chances that you'll experience trouble. But there is something proactive you can do to protect your system: install a one-click tool called Advanced Registry Optimizer 5 (ARO 5) that will scan, identify and repair errors.

Not sure if you really need one? Sammsoft, a Washington State software company, offers free trials of their ARO 5 software people can use to check their systems for errors. Click here to begin the download process."

[Breeze54]

1. You should be very careful!!

These programs will sometimes delete necessary registry settings and your computer will die!!

Unless you know what your looking at, I would delete that program!

Have you tried just doing regular computer maintenance?

Disk Clean Up?

GO TO: Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Clean Up

Have you downloaded and installed SpyBlaster 4.0? Spybot S&G?

They are both good and will get rid of spyware and protect your computer.

Also you can 'tweak' your computer in start up so that you don't have all the programs loading up at once.

Go to Start/Run and ttype in msconfig and hit enter

Go to the start up tab at the top

There you can uncheck things like Real Player & Windows media Player...
programs you do NOT need running all the time

After you're done... click APPLY and then OK

You will have to reboot (restart the computer- turn it off and then back on)

After you reboot, you'll get a pop up telling you that you are in SELECTIVE START UP...
just say OK and the next one just say OK....

See if that helps. ;)

[Maraya1969]

3. Well shit. Just like I do things in my life I ask for help and then do it

anyway. I already paid for the thing and it ran a scan but I'm not sure if it deleted anything yet. My computer re-started.

Thanks so much for the information though. What you said about shutting down programs that you don't need is something I have been wanting to learn for a long time. So I will do that.

[Kutjara]

2. I strongly second Breeze54's advice above.

Registry Cleaners can be a disaster if you don't know what you're doing. Stuff the cleaner thinks you don't need may actually be vital to some application or to your system as a whole. Registry optimization is a black art and one that even the experts get wrong from time to time.

If you still decide to go with a registry optimizer, there are free ones on the market that are at least as good as the one you found. Go to sites like download.com or tucows.com and read the user reviews of the various optimizers (they're usually in the "utilities" section of the websites). You'll quickly see which ones are good and which ones will kill your system stone dead.