tweaking software...to tweak or not to tweak

From: Patrick (pdesmond777@hotmail.com)
Date: 03/04/03 

From: "Patrick" <pdesmond777@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 08:48:06 -0800

Ok so...

There's all this tweaking software out there like Spybot,
Advance System Optimizer, Tweak XP, MemZip, Adaware,
Ashampoo etc. The list goes on forever.

Most, if not all say they will detect and "fix/clean" what
they "call" redundancies in dll's, problems with registry
entries and settings, spy software loaded into your
browser cache...again...the list goes on.

What I have found is this. Programs like Ad-Aware, and
Spybot, and others that "say" the fix privacy issues
associated with stored web pages and registry entries
really do nothing more than simply clear out temporary
internet files, cookies, and browser history. this can be
accomplished via the tools menu or in control panel, by
going into "Internet Options" and with a few
clicks...accomplish the same thing. Why load ones system
up with a lot of useless software that only does what one
could do their self? Downloaers like Gozilla? Ever try
to uninstall it?...Completely? Bet you still have it in
your registry and lurking in your browser/shared
applications...among other places.

In addition, and in my experience, it's geneally NOT a
good idea to trust a 3rd party software developer to know
how to "fix" ones registry or delete dll's (Dynamically
linked libraries). It's not even a good idea to do this
ones self unless you REALLY know what you're doing. Every
time I have trusted one of these programs to do what they
claim to do, (increase security and provide a more
efficiant, and faster system...as if mine isn't fast
enough already...I'm so spoiled) my system slows, OS
programs get confused, menues hang, log on/off becomes
problematic and these things don't really detect all the
redundant crap that's left from uninstalls as they claim
they do...not even their own programs uninstall completely
clean. I have actually loaded "wiper" programs
to "wipe" "wiper" program garbage left behind from "wiper"
program uninstalls.

Equal time...I HAVE been able to get rid of SOME old stuff
from SOME of these programs, but have also had to run the
system restore (OS syst restore...not more software
garbage)reconfigure some syst.32/catroot files in order to
be able to install WINDOWS updates due to so
much "tweaking" done by this stuff. Yep...it "tweaks"
alright. Hey MS windows OS cofigurations may be far from
perfect but it's the best we got in this dudes oppinion.
Linux?...don't get me started. *chuckles*

A good firewall...good anti-virus programs, (Zone Alarm is
ok and AVG anti virus if ya want freebies) seems to be
about the best one can do for security in addition to
clearing out ones temp i'net, cookies, and history files
without screwing up your machine.

The behind the scenes trackers and info storage put there
by our buddies at Microsoft? hmmmm...good question.

               luv ya Bill...*chuckles*

In closing...(bet ya thought I'd never get to this part
did ya? ;-) ) Beyond a statement that if anyone recommends
this stuff to "fix" a potential problem it might be a good
idea to also mention that these things are NOT a cure for
what MAY be ailing a machine. They may help...they may
not...they may make things worse...this is why the
disclaimers are built into the software, and why one must
agree to the licencing of shareware/freeware before using
it.
                          AND

 If any of you computer geniuses out there KNOW more about
this stuff. Drop me a line would ya? I'm always curious
and interested in how to make my puter dearms come
true...if not that...at least get some of this kinda stuff
to work like it says it's supposed to.

E-mails are cool...I appreciate 'em muchly

All the best and outa breath, Patrick

Relevant Pages

  • Summary (was Re: Ok, so Im a lazy moron - Explorer crashes at startup)
    ... ALWAYS with a/v, Spybot and AAW. ... Up to date CWShredder finds nothing (even in Safe Mode). ... Data source object exploit (Registry change, ... a LOT of stuff loading but all the extra stuff appears to me tablet PC ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: New computer, which security software?
    ... Spybot would be a good additional spyware scanner. ... Be Clean is the best ... To protext your XP from sending stuff home to MS I advice XP Antispy ... RegSeeker is the only genue registry scanner that can somehow ...
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    ... including startup shit. ... Having just downloaded spybot from the link you posted, I've installed it and so far every time I've tried to run it I've had to invoke Program ... info that their malware was so deeply embedded into the registry ... Did I mention that you can try Windows Defender, a free download from Microsoft? ...
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  • Re: URGENT : Running Spybot - Search and Destroy Gives problems.
    ... Agreed that it tries to remove all malicious adware and spyware ... words it just junks the registry and in turn, ... And Spybot ... >> system twice. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize)
  • Re: New computer, which security software?
    ... >> Spybot would be a good additional spyware scanner. ... >> RegSeeker is the only genue registry scanner that can somehow ... Freeware to Protect & Clean your PC ... Freeware Office tools & Webbuilding ...
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