Auslogics’ Registry Cleaner, Registry Defrag & Disk Defrag — Awarded ‘Two Glasses of Red’

Cheers Auslogics. Way to go! Thanks.

by Anura Guruge

As has been documented here I started using the free Auslogics tools, Registry Cleaner, Registry Defrag and Disk Defrag, in January 2010, when I finally had enough of System Mechanic, trying on a daily basis, to hijack my PC from underneath me.

In general, I always liked the Auslogics tools. They appeared to do what they were supposed to do, were very stable, untemperamental and unintrusive. Yes, I did not like that Registry Defrag does not allow me to insist on a Defrag — it [i.e., the software] always determining whether I need a Defrag or not.

But, over the last 18 months I have really got to trust and love the Auslogics tools. I got to know that I could run them and they would do their thing without fuss or bother.

The last time I had downloaded the tools from Auslogics was around June 2010. Around that time they started to aggressively push their top-of-the-line, ‘BootSpeed.’ BootSpeed never appealed to me. It looked like a System Mechanic ‘wannabe’ — and I was not looking for a product that was going to take control away from me. But, I fully appreciate that there is a market for BootSpeed and that Auslogics needs to make money — so that they can also provide the FREE tools that I love.

I use all three of the tools at least once a month — usually at the start of each month. I have found that Windows 7 is not as susceptible to registry clutter as was XP. Plus the raw horsepower of this PC overcomes any small degradation in performance. Of late, each time I used the tools, I used to wonder: ‘Wow, I wonder if they have a newer version.’ But, I never even bothered to look. [Oh, I also got my wife using Auslogics on her new Windows 7 ASUS laptop.]

Then two days ago, I got another of the regular e-mails I get from Auslogics. This one actually talked about DOWNLOADING the Free Tools. This felt like an omen.

So, yesterday, I downloaded all three of the FREE Auslogics tools, viz. Registry Cleaner, Registry Defrag and Disk Defrag.

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I had to download each through CNET and I HATED and RESENTED that!

I do not trust CNET. It also tried to con me into downloading stuff I did NOT want. It even tries to trick YOU!

I wish Auslogics would STOP using CNET — though I think they get some financial benefits from using CNET. I discovered, to my joy, that you can bail out of the CNET installer as soon as the software is downloaded.

Yes, all three of the Auslogics’ installers also try to get you to install a whole bunch of stuff you don’t want like the ASK toolbar, twitter account for Australian girls gone wild, Facebook page for the Australian Rugby team etc. etc. At least, if you are paying attention, you can spot all ‘thirty’ of the check boxes and uncheck them. To be honest, I can live with this. I know they have to make money. Now, if they gave me even more compelling options … other than Australian girls gone wild, I may consider keeping some of those boxes checked.

All this said, either CNET or Auslogics still installed the STARTNOW toolbar on FireFox. I was livid. Thankfully uninstalling it, permanently, is trial using the FireFox Add-On manager. But, this is SO STUPID. Don’t try and rape me. Be nice. I know it is free software but that doesn’t mean you have to always try and see how you can screw me. But, I will forgive that too … because it was easy enough to fix.

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I ran all 3 of the tools. The interfaces have changed. But, they seemed to work well.

Also NOW there is a CHECK FOR UPDATES option in the HELP menu. Bravo. Thank you.

So all said, I am still a big fan. I like the CHECK UPDATES. I hate the installation process. But, overall, it is worth the hassle.

Hence, my award of the coveted ‘Two Glasses of Red’ — and that can even be Australian Shiraz, Yellow Tail.

Cheers.

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Windows 7: Decent Off-The-Shelf Windows 7 Machine At Best Buy For $650

I was in town and payed a quick visit to Best Buy to see what Windows 7 related bargains they had after Christmas. The relatively small store that I went to, in Concord, NH, didn’t have any ‘open box’ returns with Windows 7. I was surprised. Maybe that is a testament to to Windows 7. People are loath to return Windows 7 boxes? We will have to watch that. Still early days.

I saw this Asus, Model CG5270-BP004, on a shelf. I had seen pictures of it before on the Web. It certainly commands your attention. I remembered that the spec were good and that my only reservation had to do with its video capabilities.

Checked the specs. Decent enough. Intel Core 2 Quad at 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR2 RAM, 1TB (7200 rpm) SATA, 10 USB etc.

As is my wont at Best Buy I spun the box around to have a look at the back. Saw an unused VGA. The display monitor was connected to a DVI. But there was another cable next to the DVI. I thought it was a USB. It was an HDMI! Why Best Buy has both DVI and HDMI to the same monitor is a mystery. I couldn’t check the actual configuration.

The machine had Best Buy’s ‘access control’ ARCHIE program installed. (ARCHIE stops customers from being able to mess up the computers on display. I basically limits the functionality available and prevents Internet access. When I have time, I can sometimes get by ARCHIE. Today, I didn’t have the time.)

I tried to find more detailed specs on it on the ASUS Web site. Around 6pm today all of their sites were down. I’ve had problems with their sites before. Just Googled this machine and found this CNET review. Decent. Actually pretty darned good.

I think, despite the 3 video connections, this thing probably can only support one monitor — unless you add a video card. The 400W power-supply should let you squeak by as long as you don’t go crazy.

But CNET confirms my initial reaction and they have the numbers. Not a bad price for what you get. So you might want to have a look at this.

Hope this helps. Cheers.

Anura Guruge
www.guruge.com

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