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Question

Why will Advanced System Care Free not download

Jul 17, 2011 2:19PM PDT
Hi,

I have downloaded Advanced System Care Free on 3 computers with no problem. But today I have tried 5 times to download it and each time have been told that the download is unsafe.

What is happening?

How can I overcome this?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
More information please...
Jul 17, 2011 2:27PM PDT

Specifically:
1.) What page are you attempting to download it from?
2.) What is the exact message you are receiving?
3.) What is displaying this security alert?

Let us know.
John

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Dodgy download
Jul 18, 2011 7:33AM PDT

Hi John,

I am downloading it from Cnet as I have three times before on different computers.

I tried again to download it fromsoftware-files.l.cnet.com and was told that the asc-setup(4).exe was downloading.

Then - 3 times I was told the download was interrupted and had stopped three times so I clicked resume.

On the last time the programme downloaded 100% but then it ran a security scan and the message: asc-setup(4).exe was reported as unsafe came up.

I have AVG installed on the computer but I believe this message was from Windows Internet Explorer (a red shield with a white cross logo).

Very frustrating because I find Advanced System Care the best thing since sliced bread for a novice like myself.

Hope you can help me overcome this.

Chris

P.S. I have Vista on my computer

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AdvancedCarePro4
Aug 24, 2011 5:07AM PDT

Hi, I downloaded (asc4-setup-cnet) 4/27/11 thinking I was downloading the $12.95 program offered on your Website. A charge for $20.96 showed up on my VISA account on 4/28/11. I was never sent anything from IOBIT--like an e-mail comfirming the order or a license number and it really slipped my mind for a while. I have written directly to them from their Website to either send me a download link and license number or issue a credit to no avail. What am I to do? This is very disconcerting. I have never had a problem with a cnet download before.

I just re-joined today since my old address was way out of date. Shall I just write this one off as a lesson not to download anything else like this and continue to use the free one? I've not had a problem with it.

Thanks much...

Nancy (skinny-minnie7)

Note: This post was edited by a forum moderator to remove email address to prevent abuse on 08/24/2011 at 3:02 PM PT

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Sadly this is just one
Aug 24, 2011 9:45PM PDT

of the experiences we see here with such utility developers.

Download.com only offers the downloads on behalf of the developers and don't 'manage' the install or any subsequent actions.

Once you install the software the developer takes over and it seems in your case that this developer decided to debit your Visa account.

I'm not sure what file you downloaded. That "asc4-setup-cnet)" appears to be Download.com's new installer software which offers a safer download and also offers free toolbars which you can opt out of during the install procedure. But the point is, this installer was only introduced in the last few weeks, and not in April when you say you downloaded this software.

I would alert your problems to CNET's Download.com management, but until I know which softwareyou downloaded, I can't do that.

In any case, if you are not happy with the charge the developers of this software haver made, I would suggest you approach your Visa provider to dispute the amount.

I hope that helps.

Mark

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I never installed...
Aug 26, 2011 2:28AM PDT

Mark, I never installed the software on my computer--all I've ever had is their FREE version and the asc4-setup.cnet is what I found in my 'Downloads' when I searched for it. So, as far as I'm concerned they had no reason or right to charge me for anything; however, it's a bit too late to take it up with my VISA card (60 days is the limit) so I guess it's just too bad for me for not following up sooner. Thanks for your input.

Nancy Sad

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Now that confuses me.
Aug 26, 2011 5:32AM PDT

All you have ever had was the free version. You never installed this ASC on your system.

In that case there is no way IOBit could have charged you for this. They would not even know that you had downloaded it.

Just tell us again. That "asc4-setup.cnet" you found in your Downloads folder. Did you ever run that? If not, then this charge that has appeared on your Visa account is nothing to do with this.

If you did run it, then this is CNET's Installer and it acts as a gateway or download manager to help you install the main, IOBit ASC software.

Mark

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asc4-cnet
Aug 27, 2011 5:46AM PDT

Mark, the asc4 is the FREE version that I'm running on my computer. When I hit the Update button, it asks me fi I want AdvanceSystemCare PRO, which is the paid version. That's what I thought I was getting (form $12.95) when I downloaded from cnet on 4/27. That's the only thing I downloaded at that time and the only thing I've gotten from IOBIT. I do not understand how it happened. The only way they have to get in touch with them on their Website is a 'Feedback' and I don't know how often they read it... they say they don't have a phone number so they can keep costs down. As far as I'm concerned, they're going to keep customers down, too! This program has always worked OK for me; I just don't like getting money charged to my VISA and getting nothing for it and then not being able to get in touch with them! It's rather frustrating. But thanks for letting me rant about it...

Nancy

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Answer
"Free registry repair and cleaner"
Jul 18, 2011 7:35AM PDT

Sorry but I find these to do more harm than good. Why not tackle the issue instead of using this?
Bob

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Thanks
Jul 18, 2011 11:29AM PDT

Good advice Bob - thanks. I was under the impression that Advanced System Care was a White Knight type program and couldn't do any harm, only good.

I take it you are suggesting that I tackle the issue by downloading a registry repair and cleaner program?

Chris

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Absolutely not!
Jul 18, 2011 9:18PM PDT

No that is not what we are saying.

Our experiences with so-called "Registry Cleaners/Optmizers/Defraggers" in these forums are filled with users reporting problems with them, such that in some cases the damage is so bad the only advice we could give is, "Reinstall the OS".

IoBit's ASC is one of those we have seen reported in these forums that cause problems.

Do you have issues with your OS that you need sorting out? If so, have you identified the issues?

The contributors here may be able to help. But if you don't have issues then we fall back on a well-worn maxim, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Mark

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Final question
Jul 19, 2011 2:49AM PDT

Thanks Mark,

Message understood. I will leave the latest computer without any extra "all singing, all dancing" programmes.

Would you suggest that I uninstall similar programmes from our other computers or leaave them alone if they aren't causing problems?

Chris

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Good question.
Jul 19, 2011 3:21AM PDT

And no easy answer.

Let me be frank here, the contributors in these forums, myself included, all know that many, many people use these optimizers and experience no problems with them. They do the jobs they are advertised to do. So your mentioning these utilities here in these forums and you get a view that many might not understand, and might disagree with.

I can only say again our experiences in these forums of the problems we have seen.

Personally my advice would be, get rid. But I would be cautious. If any of these utilities are in control of Windows' settings that are otherwise not easily accessible, then uninstalling those utilities might cause problems later down the line. "Control of settings"? I mean they have been used to optimize, improve or change Windows' settings that you may want to revert later, but are unable to without those original installations.

So, if they are not causing problems now, you may consider leaving well alone, and leaving them installed. It's a difficult situation, but in this case, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' may have a different meaning this time.

Mark

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Compounded problems!!!
Jul 20, 2011 5:16PM PDT

Thanks Mark and all those who have helped so far,

However............. the download problem was evidently the acorn waiting to grow to the oak tree - and it has.

I decided (as advised) not to continue to attempt to download Advanced System from Cnet. But then the computer went haywire.

Every time I started the computer it told me that it could not start ASC (even though I have deleted the programme) because it was missing vclx120.bpl and suggested that if I re-install the programme this problem would be fixed.

As I had been advised to leave well alone I decided to attempt to re-install said program and Googled advice. There were lots of programs out there offering quick fixes involving scanning and downloading programs. and so - thinking I had the thing licked I clicked on a free scan (one of which was an AVG which recognised the registry had problems and offered a one off scan and fix). Oh no! - this virus/worm/********!!!!! rules!!! It won't even allow me to scan!

So - having spent many. many precious hours attempting to fly by the seat of my pants I am desperate. I understand that ASC has altered Windows settings (according to gurus) and that is why I have dll errors???!!! But................ what the hell do I do now? I can't scan, I can't dowload and when I search on the net "techies" speak blithely about "starting in 'safe mode' and other such speak as though it was as easy as abc. Well - it ain't - and anything you please, pretty please, suggest to me, tell me as though to an 18 month old - i.e. I'm beginning to make sense of the world but it needs to be spelled out and spoken clearly and slowly.

I am desperate now - please offer a solution.

In anticipation,

Chris

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Re: start ASC
Jul 20, 2011 7:43PM PDT

Probably there's still an instruction left in Windows to start ASC when booting, that hasn't been removed.

Run MSCONFIG, go to the Startup tab and see if you can find it. In that case, just uncheck.

Kees

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tried it but no joy
Jul 21, 2011 1:09AM PDT

Hi Kees,

I typed MSCONFIG into the run tab and found the folder that had programs that run on start up. I found ASC programs and deleted them. However, when I restarted the computer it tells me that the tray is still there and trying to load.

Where will this be and did I follow your instructions correctly?

Thanks again.



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