3 stars (Slow defrag and Registry Cleanup is buggy) - Don't bother using "speed up hard drives" on the "Optimize" tab...the defrag routine will literally run forever. Also, be aware that "Clean Registry" in the "PC Maintenance Wizard" does not do anything except identify deletable items...it does not remove them. In fact, the Wizard reports "None found" even though when running, it clearly identifies deletable items. If you want System Mechanic to actually remove old registry items, you have to run the routine separately from the "Fix" tab using "Fix Registry Problems". I reported this flaw to Iolo around the first of 2005 and they acknowledged the problem but have not released any fix (how ironic!). Overall, System Mechanic is Ok but the interminable defrag and goofy registry cleaner are real downers. 2 stars (Alright Software) - The only thing that saves this product is it's registry cleaner. If you need a firewall or spyware remover don't bother with these, try Webroot's Spyswepper or Norton's or McAfee's firewall. 1 stars (A DISASTER! If you must go iolo, stick with SM 4...) - "This product is full of pitfalls." I have this on very good authority (my service technicians), although I personally haven't found but ONE, I guess, since the attempted installation corrupted my hard drive to the degree that even Safe Mode was unavailable. I really liked SM 4.0 Pro but, after this nightmare (and the subsequent lack of any help whatever from iolo), I urge you to stay away from 5.0. BTW, there are no refunds under ANY circumstances so, if your pc crashes (to the tune of $150 in my case) you'll also be out the cost of the program. ... iolo technologies :: Memory Management :: Hardware :: File Compression (Decompression) :: File Conversion (Convert) :: Diagnostics (Diagnostic) :: Maintenance :: Back up (Backup Backi :: System Mechanic 5
4 stars (Hours of FUN!) - The only problem I am finding with system mechanic 5 is that it can take many hours to do a system maintenance. I have been using the SM software since about 97 or 98... I have always loved that it really does well with keeping your system running top notch. I have NEVER had a major problem with it, but the last system maintenance I did on my 250Gb SATA (only about 20 being used) hard drive, it took 24 hours to complete... And let me warn you now! If you stop SM in the middle of a task just because you couldn't wait.... GET READY for problems... You have to let it complete. I crashed about 8 times last night because I had to stop it to use my PC... Well, now that it has run completely over night.... I can type this without any trouble ;)... I do recommend this software; they always have problems in the beginning, but thanks to updates.... They have all been fixed in the past. 5 stars (SYSMECHANIC5 PROFESSIONAL IS EXCELLENT) - My experience with Symantec Norton Works was very good until I had problems with cleaning my drives of all the duplicates and clutter left by use of the Internet. I evaluated System Mechanic5 Professional and I liked very much. Moreover,Ron Slater - Sales Representative - contacted me with several tips that put me at ease to decide on purchasing it. I am happy with the features and the user-friendly format of the software. 4 stars (Maybe they fixed the problems???) - I just installed this program a few days ago after trying the trial version first. So far, I have had no real problems. I did defrag my entire system using the optimize option. I have 4 drives partitions on two drives totaling 160GB with about 80GB of data on them (SATA 120GB drive with three partitions and a single partitioned EIDE 40GB drive). I set it to start then went to bed. Six hours later, it was complete and there were no problems (I don't know how long the process actually took, but it was done 6 hours later). I don't know if this is due t... iolo technologies :: Memory Management :: Hardware :: File Compression (Decompression) :: File Conversion (Convert) :: Diagnostics (Diagnostic) :: Maintenance :: Utilities :: Computer s :: System Mechanic 5 Professional [AntiVirus- Firewall- Utilities- File Recovery]
1 stars (Garbage!!) - I've used SM4 and SM5 and liked what they could do for me so i was glad to get SM6. What a mistake. Its big and bloated and at times made my computer unusable. I even tried disabling alot of the options but that didnt help. Dont waste your time with this software. btw the way....1 star is way too high of a rating for this product 1 stars (User Experience) - I have tried this on a 32 bit machine. It caused all the problems listed below, in other reviews, and is a complete waste of time. I previously had System Mechanic 4 and was very happy with it. I sent a comprehensive list of problems to the SM6 support desk and got an inane reply that simply told me how to download and install upgrades. I have checked for upgrades and there are none. I have now requested that they 'try harder'. I would not buy it again, no way! I have not tried it on my 64 bit machine and do not intend to. 1 stars (I get the same issue on a 32 bit processor) - i get the same issue as Bruce on my 32bit AthlonXP removing the file that bruce suggested DOES WORK i was getting RDR_FILESYSTEM BSODS ... IOLO Technologies :: system :: mechanic :: 6 :: professional :: iolo :: technologies :: utilities :: system :: utilities :: systemmechanic6professional 03 october :: 200 :: System Mechanic 6 Professional