Do system optimizers/fixer utilities cause more problems than they solve?

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Optimizers?

by nzav Jan 27, 2012 11:48PM PST

Having worked with computers since before DOS came on the scene, I have worked with most of the "optimizers" that have come down the 'pike. One of the oldest was Norton Utilities (before Symantec bought it) and was my favorite utility for a long time, but you would never find it on my computers today. I mention this because Symantec is considered to be a top contender in this thread by many.

The purpose of any optimizer (or registry cleaner) is to remove all traces of uninstalled applications. Symantec, iolo, and a number of other optimizers leave so much junk behind after you uninstall them, that you have to download additional "scripts" to finish cleaning them out (which, do not always accomplish that task)! Ironic isn't it that the applications you rely on to clean your system leave behind enough junk of their own to slow your system down? They often leave behind numerous hooks, DLLs, registry entries, etc.

The real answer is to push for all applications and their installers to remove ALL traces of the programs when you decide to uninstall them. But then, we wouldn't need "optimizers, would we?

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Registry cleaners & tuners etc.

by GreeneBerry Jan 27, 2012 11:55PM PST

We are all prone to a bit of panic when using complex technology. There, all over the internet, the predators await us offering a hand in the dark and promising us the world. I am a retired electronics engineer. One who progressed on and through into computers. I KNOW it's a minefield. Yet, I have a purchased a registry "cleaner." The new wisdom is that you don't need these products. If you're lucky they will at least do no damage. That's if you're lucky! I bought a piece of software to reset the counters in my Epson printer software. It does do "things" - but is it really necessary? I very much doubt it.

There are so many "chancers" in the world. When you're on-line be wary. Try to stick with bone-fide forums. Be suspicious all the time. If you do trip up forgive yourself, learn from it and move on. Shrug and be very continental. "Such is life " they say in French "C'est la vie"

Windows XP is generally very good. People like to attack Microsoft, perhaps for their stranglehold on the market which came via some rather less than they should have been products. Saddled with upwards, (or is it downwards?), compatibility, Microsoft probably reached their peak with XP. However, if one was to be starting all over again, one would do things very differently. That's what they fear of course.

There are other, some say better, operating systems. Many of those are based on UNIX. There's a lot of people who won't listen to complaints about Windows without they say "Get an Applemac." However, some of the best software will not run on these systems, but the scope is getting better all the time. By the time they get it right the wheel will have been reinvented once again and we'll all have to move on and learn a whole bunch of new tricks! Life is such a *****.

Does that help?

Regards,

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My $.02

by Bob L Jan 28, 2012 1:20AM PST

Not an expert by any means, but I've been an active user of PCs for 20+ years. I've never have had to reinstall an OS due to corruption or malware. I started using freeware tools when I first started using XP. All 4 computers at the house run Win 7 today. I run a paid version of Avast on my business computer and Microsoft Security Essentials on the other 3. Every couple of months I do a general housekeeping routine on all of my computers:

(1) Run Anti-malware Bytes and Spybot Search and Destroy. Always update to the most recent definitions. After running SS&D, I run immunize utility for browser protection.
(2) Check Windows Update to see if there are any optional software updates to install.
(3) Run CCleaner to delete excess temp files and such, then run the registry cleaner.
(4) Run Auslogics Defragger

I also use Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) and FileHippo to track any out-of-date software issues...I think these 2 pcs of software are very important to reduce exploits and fix any issues that the software developers find in their code. They may be the best utilities I have operating on my computers.

I have no idea on how effective the actual software utilities are...all I can say is that following the above routine has kept any problems or issues on my PC's to essentially nil.

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You won't know the damage until its too late!

by rtreitner Jan 28, 2012 2:05AM PST

From experience I know that these programs cause more problems than they fix, usually by the time you realize you have a problem caused by these programs, its when your pc's crashing, or about too, and after to many important files have been altered, moved, or deleted. Your best bet is just use a good program that actively scans for malware etc, and if you have programs on your pc you don't use anymore and need space, just remove them in the control panel, you pc will stay healthy longer, without problems, and always make a recovery disk.

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Things are gettin g far more graphic than ever, so...

by Dumbpeni Jan 28, 2012 4:18AM PST

Everywhere you go on your computer is getting so graphic intensive that recent graphic technology of yesteryear no longer can handle all . Then your CPU start picking up the rest and get bogged down . For example, webpages or websites is so full of one kilobyte bits of graphicc like buttons, advertisment banners, fonts, video streaming, you name it .. They clutter up everything and leave a lot of mess in your hard drive that you need to defrag from time to time.. Your virus software go overtime checking every tiny file that comes online.. I guess that the best optimizer you can use is to upgrade your video capabiility. If you have integrated video chip on your motherboard, just disable it and buy a decent video card that sells for around $100 for performance minded or above $200 for enthusiast gamers.. Dont buy anything for less than $50 as they are already slow and obsolete. It also depends on how old your motherboard is. Do you have PCI-E or AGP slot , if none only all PCI slots. This is another issue.. Oh boy, how things change so rapidly.. AMD has come up with different chips called APU instead of CPU as it is called acclerated processing unit that intergrate graphic circuitry with the CPU but not to be confused with integrated graphic chip that is separeted mounted on the motherboard. Intel has simiilar but AMD has far more powerful APUs than Intel's but AMD's APU known as Fusion chips are not gamer level but they are performance level which can handle HD, internet and all that silly advertisment banners that litters up all websites.very fast . I have yet to buy a new motherboard as I am still stuck with a 3 year old motherboard and chip. I am waiting for AMD to still come up with far more powerful APUs and motherobards in the ocming years.. AMD is leading in graphic intensive computers , I think.. I always believe that graphics is the reason behind most slow computers... as they no longer can handle ever increasing graphics ...

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System optimizer: Advanced System Care

by geoyar Jan 28, 2012 9:09AM PST

Hi,
I want to share my experience with Advanced System Care. I used the free version of it. Until last upgrade it was working just fine. The added the optimization features to it in the last upgrade, and it is a disaster. On the first run my MS Access database lost its links to the Access Wizards: I lost the ability to create queries with wizards, but still can do query manually. After couple of next runs I lost all settings for the start pages in my Internet browsers. I had to spend a lot of time to repair what was optimized. So I uninstalled the Advanced System Care.

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Question

by 1949me Jan 30, 2012 4:18AM PST

I have heard good things about, PC Tools RegistryMechanic. Can anyone tell me about ths program?

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PC Optimizers & Stuff

by BangX3 Jan 31, 2012 12:06PM PST

Bit of a digression but it's funny how the topic quickly moved away from Tate's question to buying new hw & what not.

I share Tate's question. It honestly still don't see a trend in one way or the other. Maybe it's out there but I stopped reading when the responses got off point.

Many thanks to anyone who could lay out the pros n cons for this lost sheep!

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Too many cooks in the kitchen?

by MoparMan392 Feb 3, 2012 5:29AM PST

By reading your question closely, it appears to me that you were running several different versions of the same type of software and at the same time. If that is the case, your tech did the right thing to remove them. (Probably should've notified you first though). You should have no more than 1 "optimizing" program installed on your computer, and if you make sure it is a reputable program from a reputable vendor. Search for user reviews of the software on the internet to see how the software has worked for others. NEVER install software from one of those pop-up windows, always use a source you trust.

Quality optimizaton software CAN be helpful to keep your computer running smoothly, but bear in mind that most marketing greatly exaggerates their benefits. Hope this helps.

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Using optimizers wisely

by -wbm Feb 11, 2012 1:01AM PST

I have used
various optimizers over the years and often gotten into trouble. When I learned to use
them thoughtfully, they can significantly
improved my machine's performance. Before using it the first time, I strongly suggest
the following:
Backup your files.
Create a system restore point. Even though they
will do the same, it's like using suspenders and a belt at the same time.<?xml:namespace prefix =" o" ns =" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"" /><o></o>

1. Run
the basic scan using the minimum options.<o></o>

2. Use
the computer for a while; If it runs without problems,<o></o>

3. Scan
again, using more options. <o></o>

4. Keep
cycling through #4 and #5 until our have it working with all the options.<o></o>

If you have
problems, take a step back and restore to its last point.
Most often I ran into
problems when I deleted items that I actually needed. If I am unsure, now I leave
them alone. I may not get the maximum benefit, but I avoid walking in a
minefield.
Over time you will discover what works best for your machine.This
takes patience - something I don't have a lot of - but is worth the effort.
I have
used ASC for a number of years and found it works well.<o></o>

<o> </o>

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Ccleaner

by NoaMikos Mar 6, 2012 7:42PM PST

I think that most of the optimizer I used made my pc go the other way around.
The only tool which I fuond effective was the Ccleaner.

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