I have used the previous version, System Mechanic 3 on my Windows 98 machine, and found it to be my single most valuable multifunction utility. With it, I regularly cleaned my registry, and had fewer lockups. I also used it to find and repair shortcuts as well as other annoyances. I saved hard drive space by using System Mechanic to purge my drive of obsolete backup files and other flotsam that accumulated by the gigabyte. I utilized the integral tweak utility that allowed me to configure my computer to best meet my needs, rather than have Bill Gates decide what was best for me. Another impressive feature of the previous version was the fact that it would periodically remind me to check for updates such that I always had the latest System Mechanic patches and enhancements installed.

When I found out that System Mechanic 4 was about to be released, I contacted the publisher, Iolo Technologies, of Pasadena, California, to get a copy. I was very impressed with the new and enhanced features in version 4. After a simple install, I noticed that System Mechanic maintained its user friendly, non-techie interface, with the tasks being listed in a simple and logical menu. There are five subjects; clean, fix, maintain, optimize, and protect. When selecting one of the menu tabs, a plain English caption appears summarizing the contents of the category. Opening a category shows icons with a simple to understand description of each function, with an additional window at the bottom of the screen explaining that function.

The first tab is “Clean”, offering the opportunity to delete junk and other useless files, eliminate duplicate files, clean up your tracks (considered by many to be an important privacy function), and eliminate web popups. If the “eliminate web popups” icon is selected, a small but highly effective popup blocker is installed. In addition to blocking annoying popups, it also contains a directory of websites generally considered as obscene or offensive that are blocked. The integral list can easily be amended to allow pre-blocked sites to open, or additional sites to be added.

Under the “Fix” tab is one of the functions I found most helpful, “Fix registry problems”. The registry is a series of ever-changing files required in all versions of Windows that tracks and configures the system. If the registry is corrupted, or contains obsolete or incorrect information, Windows becomes unstable and can lockup or crash. By frequently checking the registry for errors, and repairing it, many of these problems cease. By compressing the registry, Windows will load and shut down much faster. Other available functions in this section are “Fix broken shortcuts”, “Purge invalid uninstallers”, and “Recover deleted data”. While I routinely use all of these functions, I have found the ability to easily recover files either accidentally or purposely deleted very useful.

In “Maintain” are icons for a maintenance wizard which automates most necessary and routine maintenance tasks, and another icon for a scheduler to run maintenance functions at predetermined times. For users that want these tasks instantly available, there is also an option to have the tasks appear at all times on a utility bar on the edge of the screen.

“Optimize” includes other valuable resources to improve system performance. One icon modifies the system settings to maximize internet performance. Another icon allows the user to control the system startup functions more easily than Microsoft’s “msconfig” function. The ability to easily tweak Windows, enabling or restricting features and functions without the need to be a geek, can also result in improved performance. Hard drives become fragmented, with pieces of programs and data scattered all over the hard drive. While most versions of Windows offer some type of “defrag” function, the “Speed up hard drives” in System Mechanic 4 offers the ability for a quick defragmentation, or a comprehensive reorganization of the hard drive, which can greatly improve both the speed and life expectancy of the hard drive. Windows is notorious for its poor management of the available memory in a computer; the “defragment memory” function, when enabled, will clean up the available memory, delete programs and data no longer needed, making more memory available to programs.

The “Protect” group allows for selected deleted files to be overwritten, making them unrecoverable, prevents spyware and malware from running on the computer, and blocks other internet threats

System Mechanic 4 will be available in many of our local stores in two varieties; the basic version, as described here, for under $50, and a “Pro” version, including several additional utilities including the excellent Panda Antivirus Platinum Pro 7, with its integral firewall, for under $70. Discounts are available to previous users. More information and a fully functional 30-day trial version can be found on the Iolo Technologies website at www.iolo.com.

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