To Norton or not to Norton (systemworks)

**banshee** · 09-10-2003, 08:08 AM

folks,

any of you using Norton Systemworks to keep your pc in shape so that fs9 runs better ? I download lots of utilities and windoctor finds tons to delete.I am running norton utilities from cd now and was wondering if it would be good for me to install the whole thing..

**rstansbury** · 09-10-2003, 08:50 AM

yes the defrag is much better than windows default defragger. I turn off most of the stuff and run them manually when needed. System monitor is kind of a resource hog running in the background. The system doctor is very good for cleaning the registry. I could take or leave cleansweep, it has been stripped down in recent versions.

Captain_Slarty · 09-10-2003, 08:54 AM

over many years.. Pete Norton's utilites have proved beneficial...

however, NU running as a 'save all' package has also proved to be the biggest system crasher of all time.. :-)

Moderation.. dont run it all the time... only when you have a problem.

**banshee** · 09-10-2003, 12:18 PM

I usually run Norton windoctor when I think I have a prob.For the registry I run easycleaner (www.toniarts.com) which is good and freeware too. and for defragging I am using O&O.

Thanks for your input.

**tjrush** · 09-10-2003, 05:49 PM

If you're looking for an alternative to Norton System Works, try VCOM System Suite 5. It includes all the utilities and anti virus that are included in Norton. In adition there is a personal firewall and it now includes Power Desk Pro which is a file manager that is far superior to Windows Explorer. There are other things that I can't remember. Look at www.v-com.com

**dunsul** · 09-15-2003, 03:58 PM

I run Systemworks all the time on many computers. It has fixed many problems for me without any trouble afterwards. The 2003 version, by default, doesn't activate the System Doctor that can draw system resources at times. You have to call it up yourself. I like that. The defrag program (speed disk) works really well and is better than the Windows version.

To keep my system clean, I use Window Washer 4.8 and Cleandisk by Haysoft. Using both, gets nearly everything. There's a registry cleaner in Cleandisk as well. But I also use the registry tune up in Systemworks too.

***vgbaron*** · 09-15-2003, 04:10 PM

The majority of problems that I have to fix on other peoples computers are directly related to the use/misuse of Norton Systemworks and related products. Running th eprograms manually seems to cause no harm BUT having them running in the bg can cause trouble on some systems. Of course, there are many systems running that use it 24/7 without difficulty.

IMHO, with over 20 years of computer maintenance experience - set up a schedule and follow it manually. Whether it's once a day,week or month - skip the automated stuff and follow the schedule yourself.

FWIW, I have NEVER had a total system crash with all the tweaking, development and testing that I do.

YMMV,

Vic

**godzilla666** · 09-15-2003, 04:41 PM

i too run norton 2003 sys works
on a 98se pc
love it just watch what you let it install
and also what it runs in the background

**ralphgpr** · 09-15-2003, 04:55 PM

>The majority of problems that I have to fix on other peoples
>computers are directly related to the use/misuse of Norton
>Systemworks and related products. Running th eprograms
>manually seems to cause no harm BUT having them running in
>the bg can cause trouble on some systems. Of course, there
>are many systems running that use it 24/7 without
>difficulty.
>
>IMHO, with over 20 years of computer maintenance experience
>- set up a schedule and follow it manually. Whether it's
>once a day,week or month - skip the automated stuff and
>follow the schedule yourself.
>
>FWIW, I have NEVER had a total system crash with all the
>tweaking, development and testing that I do.
>
>YMMV,
>
>Vic

Wow! Boy, if I could only say it technically how this has been true for me. On principle, I used to turn to Norton and other utilities, because I figured the system (terminate-and-stay-resident or bg--I assume you mean "background") would help. Well, the cleaner the better it seemed to me. The less TSR and clutter the better.

There is some maintenance you have to do. Defrag. Compression. Deleting the junk that piles up. It seems to work best if you do it yourself.

Reading your above over a few times tells me there is a lot there. I hope you have the time to put in more words at times. I see where you stand and I like it. Thanks.

Ralph