[davidrs]

Hi folks,

I just received an email advertising Nortons Systemworks 2002 for $30 (see attachment). Available is: Nortons Antivirus (which I have), Norton Utilities (don't have), Norton CleanSweep (had once but not impressed), GoBack 3 Personal Edition by Roxio (not familar), Norton Ghost (not familar) and WinFax Basic Edition (wouldn't need).

I have ConFigSafe allowing "restore" presently on my computer. Windows ScanDisk and Defrag are present and useful already. I am unsure of GoBack and Ghost. Not sure how I would use these day in and day out.

The price is very good but are all these features worthy? My computer seems to run well now. Would it be wise to install this mega complex?

Thanks,

davidrs

[Gram123]

Norton Utilities consist of:

WinDoctor - fixes Windows system file errors, registry errors, lost or outdated shortcuts and apps that won't start. This is quite good - it's surprising how many broken links it finds and fixes for you.

LiveUpdate - connects to the net and searches for updates to your Norton products.

Disk Doctor - Norton Disk Doctor diagnoses and repairs a variety of disk problems. It performs several tests, checking everything from the disk's partition table to its physical surface

System Doctor - monitors a whole host of stuff including CPU usage, free disk space, battery power, physical memory etc etc

Speed Disk - optimises disk speed by defragging

System Information - Gives info on your PC, display, printers, memory, drives, input devices, multimedia devices and network.

UnErase Wizard - does exactly what it says on the tin

Wipe Info - permanently deletes data


Roxio GoBack - "delivers quick and easy system recovery, providing award-winning protection to Windows PCs. It gives you the power to immediately restore healthy system configurations and lost or damaged data on your own in seconds. GoBack protects you from system crashes, virus damage, failed software installations, even user error, by letting you easily return to a time when your computer worked."

Norton Ghost is used to take drive images - in other words a full back up of the drive. These can be used to restore your files in the event of a disaster.

If you have Norton Personal Firewall, it integrates witht the System Works suite nicely.

Don't know if these features make it worth changing your current set up - it was for me, as I was using a free AV (AVG) and a free firewall (ZoneAlarm), and had no backup or 'doctor' software at all.

HTH
Gram

[Davey7549]

David
First off I would be quite leary about purchasing any discounted software through an E-mail address.
Part of your attached test file:
------------------------------------------
From: <save345d@bigfoot.com>
Subject: Is Your Computer Safe
Date: Saturday, September 07, 2002 6:26 PM
------------------------------------------

Two things I would worry about......
Steal credit card number and Pirated software.

All the products you are taking about if sold separately would run into the hundreds of dollars so how can this individual sell it for $29.95?

Be Careful!

I have seen some of the products you have mentioned sold as a legit package for $39.95 but they come with CD's only and no manuals.

Again Be careful!!!!!!!!

Dave

[hewee]

Good point Davey,

I have been getting SPAM on buying "Nortons Systemworks 2002" for cheap and I would not trust it.

[lyrical]

I even have a friend who bought one, it came on a CD in one big .zip file. 99% chance the software was pirated. People have been doing that sort of thing for years.


Lyrical

[davidrs]

Thanks for sharing the info. I plan to keep my computer as is. Why "fix something that's not broken" philosophy. I had not thought of "pirated" products.

davidrs

[hewee]

davidrs,

Plus if you do ever want software like this then just keep you eye in the ads each week and your have a deal.
About the time the next version comes out they have good deals to sell that version.

Staples ad today had Norton Systemworks 2002 for free after rebates.
69.99
20 instant rebate
30 upgrade rebate
20 mail in rebate.

[Davey7549]

Thats not free Hewee you make a penny on the deal!

Dave

[hewee]

I know plus the gas to get to the store and the TAX on top of it all.

But if you watch the ads your always get a deal.

[Davey7549]

Not a bad deal as long as the store is not next to your house and I have to come get it!

Dave

[hewee]

I got a better deal then that because I got mine in the mail from someone for free so all I had to do was walk out to the mail box.