Author Topic: SnapSuite program family/Free online computer help (Read 367867 times)

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #75 on:** July 16, 2007, 07:10 PM »

Yea, I need to re-adjust my 25 hour/8 day/55 week computer time schedule a bit

The program should be a lot more convenient, and like I said I hope to get the Microsoft/Windows Update part also included, not sure how I would do that yet (I may add a virus/spyware scan in there also). Hope it helps out, can't be much easier to do cleaning

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #76 on:** July 16, 2007, 07:16 PM »

GOSH DANG IT

!!!

OK, sorry about this, but one more update to the program. The clicking was now completely useless and would crash the program. This fixes that. Sorry

EDIT: Updated and major improved version below!

tomos · « **Reply #77 on:** July 16, 2007, 10:56 PM »

First, I havent tried this out, & probably wont get the chance for a while

I'm still a bit wary of CCleaner from my own experience - I'm not against it, just wary

also I see Gizmo has it as Best Free File Cleaner
but he does say the following:

There are some minuses: first the installation settings are quite aggressive so do check them carefully. Second the product installation, by default, includes the installation of the Yahoo Toolbar so if you don't want it, make sure you uncheck that option. Finally I wouldn't trust this product to do your Registry cleaning; that's a job for a specialist utility. Similarly if your aim is to remove all your surfing traces rather than just to clean up your disk I'd be inclined to use a specialist cache cleaner.

However if simply freeing up disk space is your objective the CCleaner is hard to beat.

A good companion to CCleaner is Empty Temp Folders. It's not as complete a product as CCleaner and it's been a while since it was last updated however I find it always manages to clean more temporary file than CCleaner. That's why I suggest you use both.

Another cleaner with a solid following is Steven Gould's CleanUP! [3]. It's a compact, well designed and very well maintained and is a real alternative to CCleaner. I've had a couple of instances of it causing problems on my test PC but this may be specific to my setup. Certainly the feedback I get from users has been uniformly excellent.

-
I'm not sure how you're using it Brandon,
just came across that & thought I'd throw it in there FWIW

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #78 on:** July 17, 2007, 01:40 AM »

It seems to have come along way, and besides, the AutoMaintenance program doesn't tell you what to check anymore- its all personal preference.

It is worth saying that:

(Just FYI the caps here don't mean yelling, just pointing out things)

During the automatic setup, I have ensured that the Yahoo! Toolbar is NOT installed.

I do NOT use the program for registry cleaning

(meaning that the AutoMaintenance program doesn't, either)
Steven Gould's CleanUp! (hint, CleanUp!) is ALREADY USED (the 2nd tool)

It hasn't done any harm to any of my machines, so it couldn't hurt to backup your data (if you need to) and give it a shot.

-Brandon

tomos · « **Reply #79 on:** July 17, 2007, 02:26 AM »

Good,
you seem to have it all covered

...
I found a program called EasyCleaner, and it looked like a really good program but I can't test/use it because it isn't compatible with Windows Vista . And it apparantly hasn't been updated in a while...
-wreckedcarzz (June 30, 2007, 01:11 PM)

Just for the record (though $:-\$ )
there is a beta version of easycleaner http://personal.inet...s/toniarts/betas.htm and it's portable - I've no idea does it run on vista (you'd think it would but...)
I'm happy to see it's still in development anyway

I haven't personally experienced problems with it - with Windows Vista I have had some odd bugs though, but I haven't really linked them to a source yet. I just (right now) looked through CCleaner's list of things to clean/delete and I didn't see anything about startup options (unless it fixed them in the registry cleaning part).
-wreckedcarzz (June 30, 2007, 01:11 PM)

Yes that (minor) problem I had was it cleaning the registry of disabled startup progs (I had planned just to disable them temporarily)

EDIT added link for Beta

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #80 on:** July 19, 2007, 05:52 PM »

Yes, I have had that startup cleaner problem also when I tested it. It is doing it's job, though.

OK, everyone cheer. Not really. But, I have added some more things into the program, made it smaller (in screen size), easier to use and an about/donation link. I am going to test it soon and, if it works, upload it.

If your curious, here is what has changed (in detail):
The 5 sections (download, install, run, update, about/donate) are now split up into buttons, so you don't have a 50 page long window taking up your screen.
Windows/Microsoft Update added (not automatic, but it takes you there and you simply hit update).
iTunes/QuickTime/other Apple products updater is now available (not automatic, just click update).
Other program update- this is setup strangely, as when you click it, it launches IE/FF/Opera/Maxthon/K-Meleon/Iceweasel/etc and takes you to the FileHippo Update Checker download (the file itself) and you simply click run (or Save, if you have no Run) and let it show you what you should update.
Added the donate button, takes you straight to my donate page here at DC.
Added an About section- I kinda simply messed around in there ("Unfortunately, no rights reserved")

FYI: It is best to run all the programs manually first to set options/hide dialog boxes/etc, then from then on run the Automatic one.

Afterthought: I am going to add more tray notices to let you know how long it will take until the next step.

EDIT: It now includes an option to launch Trend Micro's Housecall virus/trojan/spyware/malware/worm/port scanning and removal utility. It isn't automated at this time, however.

EDIT 2: It now also deletes the setup files from your desktop after install

EDIT 3: It now also includes a built-in uninstaller in case you don't want one of the programs.

EDIT 4: Now includes options to either reboot or shut down at end of automatic maintenance.

I will upload the program here momentarily...

EDIT: PLEASE DOWNLOAD NEW VERSIONS ON PAGE 5. Thank you!

tomos · « **Reply #81 on:** July 20, 2007, 01:57 AM »

sounds great

& getting better!
how about throwing in dcupdater in there for luck

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #82 on:** July 20, 2007, 02:45 AM »

My dad saw me working on this today before I uploaded it, and he asked me at least 3 times if I typed it all myself

As far as the dcupdater, I didn't know about it

so I am reading up now and might ask mouser about adding it in...looks really cool. I am also thinking about integrating Skrommel's amazing DelEmpty to this, have to make sure its OK with him first, though too.

Anyone have suggestions for other things I can add? Automation is my goal for everything, but the speed limitations of UNMAINTAINED COMPUTERS

, dialup, snails, etc keep me from being able to automate things. Maybe a "recommended software" area, for programs like Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, Pidgin, etc?

(Known bug: After you open the program and Close it (X), you can't get it back up. I am going to add a hotkey to make it appear in the next version.)

EDIT: Does anyone have Vista and have the UAC (aka User Annoyance Creator

) enabled and get a message while running this? I don't have UAC enabled, so...yea...anyone?

Curt · « **Reply #83 on:** July 20, 2007, 03:58 AM »

Brandon, would you mind explaining why you have included both CCleaner AND CleanUp! ?

tomos · « **Reply #84 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:51 AM »

Automation is my goal for everything, but the speed limitations of UNMAINTAINED COMPUTERS , dialup, snails, etc keep me from being able to automate things.
-wreckedcarzz (July 20, 2007, 02:45 AM)

you could produce a dialup version & a broadband one $:-\$

Maybe a "recommended software" area, for programs like Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, Pidgin, etc?

dont understand?

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #85 on:** July 20, 2007, 12:32 PM »

Tomos:
I thought about doing separate programs, but there are lots of variables...I might give it a go.

Like, I want to keep improving to the program, but I don't have much more to put in. I was thinking about adding a seperate part to it where you can download free, good programs that aren't related to the maintenance.

Curt:
Having both of them together makes them compliment each other. CCleaner does lots of things, quickly, but (as far as I can tell) just common areas. CleanUp! does it all, but slowly, so we get rid of what we can first with CCleaner, then CleanUp! will get the "hard-to-reach" areas quickly because we have already dealt with the common things.

Lashiec · « **Reply #86 on:** July 20, 2007, 01:12 PM »

And CCleaner is more customizable, albeit less secure than CleanUP! (using the default settings that came with the program)

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #87 on:** July 20, 2007, 10:53 PM »

Just to let everyone know, I am leaving tomorrow for my vacation, so there won't be any updates for at least 2 weeks. I can still help out over the internet, but with a limited time frame.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #88 on:** July 24, 2007, 10:45 PM »

OK, looking for opinions!

Problem:
I am on vacation (see above) and don't have my **** script for AutoMaintenance.
Solution?
Recode the WHOLE thing, from scratch, using new knowledge, adding lots of features.

Yes, I am doing it. Yes, it is a pain. And, yes, it SHOULD be available soon.

For the curious, screenshots are attached of my personal beta build. Enjoy!

Name: CompuTech EasyControl (AutoMaintenance and SystemControl combo (SystemControl wasn't released, if your wondering))
Type: exe
Size: 200kb
Status: Beta
Screenshots:

EasyControl has replaced AutoMaintenance and is available on Page 5.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #89 on:** July 24, 2007, 11:51 PM »

~~OK, it looks like I have the program complete~~ (I am almost certain, but there is a reasonable amount of doubt). I am going to go ahead and put it up here- it works the exact same way as AutoMaintenance, but simplified. You can now just clean (CCleaner, CleanUp, Eusing only) or just optimize (Advanced WindowsCare, IObit SmartDefrag, NTREGOPT only), run the all automatic programs (and do a reboot OR shutdown at the end), just turn off/reboot your computer (no maintenance), open Control Panel, Task Manager, run a check of your hard drive, scan for viruses/spyware/adware/malware/etc, protect your computer from viruses and spyware, and more. And I packed it all into one program. Now just to get a good looking icon, and I can put it up here for download...

EDIT:
I forgot to automate the install of Advanced WindowsCare, IObit SmartDefrag and NTREGOPT; I am working on that now.

Curt · « **Reply #90 on:** July 25, 2007, 01:23 PM »

I am on vacation
-wreckedcarzz (July 24, 2007, 10:45 PM)

Recode the WHOLE thing, from scratch, using new knowledge, adding lots of features.
-wreckedcarzz (July 24, 2007, 10:45 PM)

I am working on that now.
-wreckedcarzz (July 24, 2007, 11:51 PM)

You really should take a vacation from your "vacation", you workoholic...

You can now just clean ... or just optimize ..., run the all automatic programs ... just turn off/reboot your computer ... open Control Panel, Task Manager, run a check of your hard drive, scan for viruses/spyware/adware/malware/etc, protect your computer from viruses and spyware, and more.
-wreckedcarzz (July 24, 2007, 11:51 PM)

Wow!

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #91 on:** July 25, 2007, 08:56 PM »

Yea, my vacation is a bit...strange. A mile from the ocean and I am sitting in front of my laptop, typing away.

Thats me, I guess.

But I am working on testing the program now- there were lots of small bugs, but it looks like it is working exactly like it should. I tested the AutoMaintenance w/shutdown at the end last night, and it works perfectly. The links are all good, and the instructions are clearer. Hopefully I will be able to test it all out and have it up tomorrow or the day after.

P.S.:
1) I am most likely adding automatic Windows Defender functionality, also- so you won't have to use the web-based service (although, IMO, Windows Defender is mediocre/poor in comparison).

2) The updating for Microsoft products/Windows is in there, too, as well as the ability to launch Apple Software Update and the FileHippo Update Checker, so the updating feature has NOT been lost.

EDIT: I am testing this on my Windows XP SP2 fully updated machine, and will test it on my Windows Vista fully updated machine in about 9 days when I get back home. Vista users may see problems, but I *highly* doubt it.

Curt · « **Reply #92 on:** July 25, 2007, 09:41 PM »

Brandon, is there any way you can / will have EasyControl executing this Shutdown procedure by (option) handling it to Process Explorer? My reason for asking is that I have tested a lot of "Shutdown Managers", and I am certain that when I have Process Explorer replacing Windows' Task Manager then Process Explorer by far is the most trustworthy app-closing app I have tried: there are almost never any programs not saving and closing properly.

One problem that I know of is that Process Explorer Shutdown uses the annoying "do you really want to shutdown?" box that has to be clicked.

Now, get to that beach!!!

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #93 on:** July 25, 2007, 11:44 PM »

No, I use the AHK shutdown command, not Window's built-in shutdown.exe program. However, I don't think Process Explorer will have the time to react before it shuts down, as it gives no warning (other then telling you) unlike the "shutdown.exe -s -t 30" command. I don't use Process Explorer, but if you can, you may want to have it ignore the program so it doesn't have problems (just in case).

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #94 on:** July 26, 2007, 12:15 AM »

OK, here it is- complete with splash loading screen, icon, new interface, installer, and a lot more. I have looked over it and it appears to be working properly, but as of now I'll call it a RC until everything is verified.
Enough talk! More download!

EDIT: I found a bug! I spelled something wrong!

Fixing now...

EDIT 2: All fixed, and Windows Defender functionality added & tested. If you were the 1 person who downloaded the previous version, please UNINSTALL before you install the new version (VERY important)!

Enjoy!

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #95 on:** July 26, 2007, 12:35 PM »

Ok, how is it? I was really hoping to have it all up and running in one large swooping update, but little bumps are to be expected, I guess.

Looking for opinions, and suggestions. I am waiting for skrommel to reply to me about my question about including DelEmpty, but I am going to go ahead and add it in a second file, so if it is OK then I will have the work already done

Ideas on how to include DCUppdate? I really would like to, but I fear that the dial-up users will start to hate me with more downloading

Any ideas? $:-\$

EDIT: OK, 1 bug found and fixed, and 2 things optimized for better flowing between operations

. I will have a new version up tomorrow, if all goes to plan.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #96 on:** July 27, 2007, 11:10 AM »

OK, here it is; the fixes aren't exciting, but will definitely improve the experience. All that was updated was the timing on AutoMaintenance and NTREGOPT wouldn't open at the right time (large problem

). I scanned the code again, and (knock on wood) I didn't see any problems. I have DelEmpty included and ready, just waiting for permission to include it. (Next update, probably).

Enjoy! (Uninstall first, though!

)

Curt · « **Reply #97 on:** July 27, 2007, 12:33 PM »

Brandon, you might be working a little too fast, so to speak, because I really don't have anything to clean up yet, because you make me clean my PC almost every day...

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #98 on:** July 27, 2007, 12:36 PM »

A clean house is a happy house, as they say.

Grorgy · « **Reply #99 on:** July 27, 2007, 12:42 PM »

I was told if you dont do any cleaning (of houses) for 5 yrs things get no worse, a worthwhile research project i think, wonder if this holds for computers?