System Mechanic

[FROG]

Does anyone who if System Mechanic is a good program to have on your computer?

[zipulrich]

I've used it before, with no problems.
Are you having problems with it? Or is there something specific you're trying to fix by installing System Mechanic?

[FROG]

I got a coupon thing for system mechanics with the memory I bought a little bit ago for my computer. Just wanten to know if it really works.

[zipulrich]

Well, yeah, I guess so. It's a fairly nice piece of software.
Many of the 'tweaks' can be accomplished manually (with a settings change or a registry edit), but System Mechanic makes it a lot easier. One click and you're done.
Make sure to read the manual before you get ahead of yourself. It's powerful mojo if not used correctly.

[uripyores]

If it was free I would definately get it.:)
Does anyone know if it does anything more or better than free programs that are around. I tried it once but I can't remember.

[Pi rules]

I heard it's the best utility in it's class. I just got Fix-it Utilities 6 (rated 2nd, but at least it's above Symantec's product:D) for free and it's good, but I read multiple places that System Mechanic is better.

I would recommend it, but be careful!

Edit: uripyores-I don't know what you are talking about, so I can't tell. I don't know of any free products that can do all of the things System Mechanic can do.

[FROG]

Hey, I did a Optimized Defragmentation with system mechanic5 and it took a couple of hours but at the end it said it ran into trouble and that it could not continue. It said something about the surface of the disk. I don't know what its talking about. Can you help me?

[Pi rules]

Try scanning for bad sectors, you may have some. You may also have some damage on your hard drive, so if it has something to check that, you may want to test for it.

[FROG]

How long did it take for the Opetimized defragmentation to finish? Its been on for more than a whole day.

[Pi rules]

I don't think it should go for quite that long. Try scanning for bad sectors.

[FROG]

How do I scan for bad sectors?

[FROG]

Its still going right now too

[zipulrich]

Try a plain old Windows defragmentation.
First, run scandisk. When that's done reboot into Safe Mode (tap the F8 key while it boots, choose "Safe Mode" from the list) and run Windows Defrag. When finished, reboot into regular mode.

[FROG]

scandisk is the same as defragmentation the c drive?

[Pi rules]

Scandisk (or CHKDSK in Windows XP/2000) scans your hard drive for errors and fixes them, and can also scan for bad sectors (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/bad_sector.html). Defragmenting fixes files that have become fragmented (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/fragmentation.html).

[FROG]

How do I do a scandisk?

[Pi rules]

What OS are you using?

[FROG]

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Corporation
its a dell 4600
SMBIOS Version 2.3

[Pi rules]

Go to My Computer, then right-click your hard drive and click Properties. Then, go to the Hardware tab and there will be a button "Check Now...". Click the button, then check both check boxes and click OK. It will ask if it should be scheduled for the next restart, and click OK, then restart your computer when you are ready.

btw: I wrote a tutorial for this, but didn't send it yet. Sorry if any of the directions were a little off, I did this from memory.

[FROG]

Ok I did a scandisk and then a defr. in safe mode. Is that it? About how long to you think a otip. defr. from system mechican5 should take?
Thanks for helping me.

[Pi rules]

Yes, that's it. I don't know how long it should take. That depends on the hard drive size, fragmentation, and free space (along with some other factors).

[FROG]

One more question. Should you do a scandisk like every month or somthing like that? And Again thank you for helping me :)

[Pi rules]

Yes, about that often, or more frequently. A defrag is suggested for about once a month too.
You're welcome!:wave: