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General discussion

Registry Mechanic is trying to rob me. Buyers beware!!!!

by kiki_ola Apr 22, 2006 5:05AM PDT

I bought Registry Mechanic from PC Tools and paid my money like other people. Now 1 year later the program has reached the point where I cannot download any updates unless I re-subscribe to its update option.

But I do not want any other updates, I like the software just the way it is. But now, everytime I load it, a large red screen pops up and reminds me that the update service has expired. I could not find any way to disable it.

I contacted PCTOOLS and was told to make the nag screen go away, I would have to re-subscribe. Its only 19 dollars I was told. Theres no other option. Pay the money, or deal with the screen everytime you use the software.

********!!! I would have probably spent the 19 dollars and upgraded the software at some point, but I'll be damned if I'll have it extorted from me.

Its pretty bad to tell someone they can either pay the fee / ransom and the software I bought and paid for will stop nagging me.

Discussion is locked

13 Posts
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Subscription software vs. purchase.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 22, 2006 7:28AM PDT

This area confuses many. You didn't "buy" the software. It's a subscription system. Sorry to hear that you don't like their sales model.

Bob

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Nope I understand perfectly. They are trying to rob me.
by kiki_ola Apr 22, 2006 1:17PM PDT

Quote from their site:

"Your subscription may be renewed on expiry at a discounted cost."

MAY be renewed, not MUST be renewed.

"The full price of Registry Mechanic is USD $29.95 and comes with a 12 month subscription which entitles you to full product/technical support, all software upgrades and our Smart Update feature which ensures that you have the latest version and enhancements."

Where does it say after 1 year I MUST renew? But the issue is a non issue now, I Googled a site that has a patch and removes the nag screen. Works great.

Software manufacturers wonder why their stuff gets pirated all over the net. Well its because they screw with even those of us that pay.

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You don't have to...
by John.Wilkinson Apr 22, 2006 3:46PM PDT

You don't have to renew your subscription, it's your option to renew it...you MAY renew it if you want, otherwise you don't have to. (They're not forcing you to write the check.) This is how most software is handled. Think of antivirus software...the software is yours for life, and the initial payment includes a year's worth of virus definition updates, but after the initial year you have to pay for another year's worth of updates if you want them. If you don't want continued updates and are fine with what you have, great. However, if you want the updates which are not covered in your initial purchase, then you must pay for them.

Another analogy...your car has an oil leak, and you have it repaired. As part of their service they include an oil change and top of the other fluids. A few months later you need oil again...you don't expect them to give you an oil change for free...it was understood what you were paying for, and you shouldn't expect more than that. Anything beyond what you paid for will cost extra.

Finally, when you mention a patch that removes a nag screen, do you mean a software crack that removes a limitation on paid copyrighted software? If so, that's illegal and thus a forbidden topic here that also prohibits technical support. Just an FYI.

Regards,
John

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I agree with you 100 percent.... But.....
by kiki_ola Apr 24, 2006 6:31AM PDT

Since the software performed ok before, and since I do not want to continue the upgrade service, is it right for them to bug me with their nag screen now? See they changed the code using the install date to use the nag screen if I did not want to pay more money. I do not want the updates, just what I have already paid for.

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Registry Mechanic ?
by shankru85 Apr 23, 2006 6:51AM PDT

For your pc health , i'd suggest to remove the Patch as it surely is bearer of malicious codes &...even whole software as it is neither efficient nor
"honest" & it does not exactly what PC TOOLS states in
massive advertising scattered over whole net .

I'd also suggest those softwares

http://www.download.com/WinASO-Registry-Optimizer/3000-2094_4-10527986.html

http://www.download.com/WinXP-Manager/3000-2086_4-10526630.html?tag=lst-0-1


http://www.download.com/Jv16-PowerTools-2005/3000-2094_4-10436428.html?tag=lst-0-2


http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10507755.html?tag=lst-0-1

Best Regards

White [ITA]

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I just bought my SUBSCRIPTION 8 hours ago
by RDTech Apr 23, 2006 8:03AM PDT

Funny that I came across this as I was looking here for highly recommended backup utilities.

I purchased my subscription today after having a hellish weekend due to NORTON products. Norton Ghost decided it would uninstall itself because I had the nerve to try to UNinstall Norton Internet Suite. The Internet Suite left enough garbage of itself to give me constant nag screens and I never wanted Norton Ghost to UNinstall - but hey, I guess Norton doesn't want you to just use ONE of their products!

As I was looking for products to help me get rid of the mess the Norton debacle left me with - I found Registry Mechanic. I had used it on previous computers and I know then (years ago!) it was a one-time purchase.

But today I completely understood it is a SUBSCRIPTION for 12 months!

I'm sorry the writer didn't understand the terms of the subscription. But ... he is hardly being "robbed". They can't take money from him unless HE decides he wants to renew his SUBSCRIPTION.

My advice:
It is always good to read the "terms" even if you think you have seen it all before.

BTW, it found and corrected 609 problems. Got rid of all the annoying Norton nags and warnings plus some other junk.

Am I happy? Heck yah! Now I just need to find a back-up recovery program that I am just as happy with.

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Back-up
by shankru85 Apr 23, 2006 9:45AM PDT

First i'd suggest not to install Symantec's softwares
anymore .
Also PC TOOLS & other softwares from software houses , addicted to advertising instead of projecting good products , are questionable ; that is only my opinion .

Good Back-up software :

http://www.download.com/Backup/3150-2242_4-0.html?tag=dir

Best Regards

White [ITA]

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(NT) (NT) RM is safe.
by caktus Apr 26, 2006 7:56AM PDT
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Registry Mechanic is trying to rob me. Buyers beware!!!!
by Frenchcoast 101 Apr 23, 2006 4:26PM PDT

I recently purchased the same program and downloaded the same, firstly it works great. Performed as advertised. Secondly, in reading the information fully PRIOR to downloading and registering the software it is noted that the registration cost will renew AUTOMATICALLY at the end of one year. They provided a link to cancel the charges. All things considered I think it is like so much e-commerce, READ THE FINE PRINT!

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This [might] work.
by caktus Apr 26, 2006 7:45AM PDT

Create a system restore point or other reliable system backup. Go to Start > Run > type REGEDIT > in the left han pane double left click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > PCTools > Registry Mechanic > Settings. In the right hand pane right click on BuyNow > left click on Delete > OK. It may be necessary to restart the computer for any change to take effect.

As I said ''This [might] work.'' Even if it doesn't work it should not cause any ill affects. But if it does cause any problems all you only have to do a System Restore.

Hope this helps.

BTW, I did this on my system with no problems and hope it works when [my] subscription expires.

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Use CCleaner...it's GREAT
by homerep May 2, 2006 12:12PM PDT

I found that CCleaner, a free program does it all, plus backs up the registry. I've tried many programs.

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Best, easiest, most complete and reliable...
by caktus May 2, 2006 2:08PM PDT
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This fixed the subscription nag screen for me. No more nag!
by markyoungsmagic May 27, 2009 12:18PM PDT

I thought I bought the program too until I tried to update and then every time I started the program I got the big ugly red nagging pop up telling me my subscription expired. I just wanted my program back the way it was before I tried the update. so I went to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > PCTools and deleted the entire PCTools folder, no more subscription nag and the program still works fine. Do this at your own risk! (I have version 5.2.0.310)

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