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Resolved Question

Anyone use the TV sold USB "anti-virus" drives

Dec 27, 2014 2:09AM PST

Wincleaner and Fixmestick, has anyone tried these. Further, it seems no better IMHO than installing well-known AV pgms. to a flash drive and then accessing. Also, you have to pay a subscription fee after the trail period or demo of same. thanks

tada -----Willy Happy

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Best Answer

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TV ad clean ups
Dec 28, 2014 2:05AM PST

I'm very leery of ANYTHING that makes claim of being the "PANACEA" to computer system ailments, to me they seem to be like any of the other snake oil fixes...I am, however, a creature of curiosity and have thought of getting one for testing purposes just for the heck of it...but I am very suspicious of the claims they make.

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Snake oil aside...
Dec 28, 2014 3:18AM PST

As i stated it maybe nothing more than getting installed s/w on a flash drive of their own making. Other AV makers provide that feature as well to work from a flash drive. According to webpages they provide, the flash drive gets updated, etc. and proceeds to disinfect, etc.. Pretty much the same as any other AV pgm. available. I think the ads basically are offering the "flash drive" as yet another gadget sorta item and all the puffery that goes with it.

FYI - I don't know what the $300 version of Fixmestick does but at that price should serve breakfast in bed. Happy

tada -----Willy Shocked

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WOW!
Dec 28, 2014 3:26AM PST

WOW! 300 BUCKAROOS? It should also do the dishes....think I'll pass on that one I'm NOT that curious, thanks for the laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Webpage notes...
Dec 29, 2014 2:19AM PST

Various versions are present but I did notice the $300 one. However, I just found that Wallyworld sells them. Here's the link, but heck I won't buy one myself. The reason I posted to see how anyone fared.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405102,00.asp

tada -----Willy Happy

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Answer
Sorry, I Haven't Used One, I Make One Myself
Dec 29, 2014 8:57AM PST

I've never found a need to buy somethin like that. As you've stated, I simply place removal programs on a USB drive (I also use a CD with similar programs on it) and it costs me nothing. No need to buy the "special" sticks mentioned. And the same goes for most computer techs I know. They take their own versions of a Fixit stick to all their jobs.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Self made
Dec 31, 2014 2:50AM PST

Me too Grif, been doing that for a long time...

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Answer
never, never, never
Dec 31, 2014 8:17AM PST

never use any utility that claims to fix all computer ailments. It makes no difference whether it is free or 300 bucks. They are worthless and as a regular in many computer help forums, I see them messing up computers all the time, some so bad, the os had to be reinstalled. Basically all they are are registry cleaners and will delete temporary files. For some it seems to speed up their computers only because the harddrive was freed up by the deletion of temporary files. IMO, by cleaning the registry of a few line among thousands will not speed up a computer - especially with how fast the registry is read. .

I have installed a few in the past in order to help someone who used one get out of a problem they had. I also had to use system restore to a restore point a few times because of it.

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Answer
Looks interesting
Jun 12, 2015 8:50AM PDT

Sorry I'm new to the cnet forums, so forgive me if I shouldn't be posting in an older topic. I was trying to find something to help my computer (some ransomware prevented me from logging in and I only have one computer), and I saw the fixmestick on TV. I did some googling and saw a few different reviews, and that it was well reviewed on PC Mag:

(promotional link removed as spam)

So I decided to look into it further and found this thread to see if anyone has an experience with it. It seems no one here has tried it, but that was 6 months ago. Is there anyone who can tell me if it worked for them? I don't mind spending $60 if it works, but I want to know if it will.

Post was last edited on June 12, 2015 9:03 AM PDT

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Since Grif and others supply the apps for free
Jun 12, 2015 9:02AM PDT

And without adware, spyware and more, why would anyone pay that much?

I guess you can warn folk off but there will always be buyers.

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Did you read THIS in your travels?
Jun 12, 2015 10:33AM PDT

A highly respected Global Moderator, at a highly respected forum (BleepingComputer) wrote the following, when asked almost the same question as you. And I quote quietman7 ....

"FixMeStick claims to be an external hardware based device which can remove malware that cannot be removed by software anti-virus programs.

From what I have read that claim is somewhat misleading. FixMeStick is a bootable USB device which uses scanning engines from Sophos, Kaspersky, and VIPRE...it is primarily intended to get a computer to a more stable state so that you can use your existing anti-virus and other security tools to complete the disinfection process.

FixMeStick's home page includes a note at the top by PC Mag which indicates it is "extremely easy to use". What they fail to mention are the following comments also provided in PC Mag's review of their product...

Cons
Can't disinfect virus-infected files, can only quarantine them. Quarantine of system files rendered two test systems unbootable, requiring full undo. Can't handle malware traces in Registry. Alleged removal failed to prevent several detected rootkits from running.

Collateral Damage
FixMeStick can be a bit heavy-handed, wiping out files that it shouldn't. When its engines detect a valid file infested by malware, it can't disinfect the file back to its original status. All it can do is toss that file into quarantine. If this happens to an essential Windows file, you may be hosed.


There are many free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities which can do the same thing so I see no reason to purchase this product. "

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/545375/fixmestick/#entry3456066

I would start by following the instructions and (FREE) tools Grif offered, as Bob eluded to in his post. Many of those FREE tools should help you with whatever problems you're experiencing. IF not, kindly post back and let us know.

Best of luck,
Carol

Note: The bold highlighting is mine.