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Don’t buy from a scammer – Take my advice, it’s cannier!

Manufacturers introduce new driver updates from time to time to solve compatibility problems that have appeared with particular applications, or to make changes to suit new changes in technology, and for other reasons like that.

 So installing updates can fix problems that you may or may not be aware of … can enhance performance … and may even prevent problems you might otherwise have down the line.

 Now, a lot of software products include automated checks for driver updates but, in the case of hardware drivers, you generally need to find and download them manually.

 Driver Scanners will scan your PC and compare your driver versions to those on its current database (which, hopefully, is up-to-date!). It will flag those that can be updated. You can then choose the ones you’d like to download and install.

 Some scanners will automatically do scheduled monitoring. With others, you need to remember to run them from time to time yourself.

 So what scanner should you choose? It is important to make a sound decision, because choosing the wrong one can do a lot more harm than good. For example, I know readers of PC World have reported many problems with scanners. One claimed the software crashed his laptop …. Then the Restore option didn’t work … Recommended updates that were installed were not actually up to date, and even older that the version they had removed! … Others reported that the software stopped their webcams from working etc., etc.

 Before installing any new drivers, you certainly want to do a backup so you can revert to your old driver if there are any problems. Some scanners come with a useful backup facility included.

 Of course, you must be sure you are buying from a reputable company. That said, people have even had problems with scanners from some well-respected firms!

 So how can you choose? Unfortunately, many Review Sites you find on the internet are simply scam affiliate sites – you can’t always trust them. Certainly, if it is not clear who is behind the site, do not trust them.

Mind you, even these sites can be helpful. They give you an idea of what is available and provide clues as to what you might look for in your preferred scanner eg. Does it have a backup facility, or does it do scheduled checks?

 A lot of Driver Scanners cost around $30 to $40, and then there may be an annual fee. Usually, you will be offered a free scan. By all means, take advantage of this to find out if you need many updates. You can then decide if you want to buy the product to download the updates quickly and easily, or if you would be happy to do it manually yourself.

 But here’s the information you won’t find on a lot of the sites trying to flog you scanners. Before you fork out any green stuff, let me recommend one Driver Scanner that is absolutely free – DriverMax

Here is what the publishers themselves have to say about it:

 Publisher’s Description:

DriverMax – DriverMax is a powerful utility which helps you download, backup and restore the drivers installed on your Windows Vista or Windows XP computer and check if newer versions are available. Download all drivers from one place in just a few steps. After backing up your drivers you will have all of them in a single place and will be able to reinstall all of your drivers or just the ones you choose in a single step which takes about one minute.

This utility can save you a lot of time when reinstalling Windows, especially on older computers for which the original CDs containing the drivers have been lost. You no longer have to track down old driver installation CDs, insert one installation CD after another or spend hours searching for drivers on the Internet.

DriverMax is also able to display a detailed report about all drivers (versions, release dates) installed on your system. Identify unknown devices in your computer and get Windows Vista rating information before you purchase new hardware!

You can get it here:

 http://drivermax.inovative-solutions.qarchive.org/

Don’t be conned by the tricks ~ Discover the tricks that work!

 Let’s face it: You can’t run an internet business with a PC that is crawling through cyberspace like a wounded megabite.

The trouble is that, as we add more and more stuff to our computer, it is almost inevitable that it will start to slow down. It is estimated that over 90% of computers have corrupted registries. Now, the Windows Registry is the power behind the Windows Operating System. So, if your computer has become very slow, keeps crashing, or you keep getting error messages etc., then your Registry needs attention.

But there are dozens of so-called registry cleaners out there. Which should you choose?

Here is the nasty truth: Some of these programs are little more than scams that pretend to fix your computer, but actually install pop-ups and advertisements on your PC. A lot of them are based on the same feeble, out-dated software but packaged under different brands. And often they will make dubious or exaggerated claims to scare you into buying their software.

To make things more difficult, you cannot necessarily trust product reviews which purport to present the best registry cleaner. Some of these seemingly independent reviews are put together by affiliates hoping to sell you a particular product. So check out About Us pages etc. to try and establish if they are genuinely independent or not. Be suspicious!

http://consumer-guides.org This site tested dozens of registry cleaners on computers that had been planted with infections. They report: “We found that many Registry Cleaners simply did not do the job.” They rated Paretologic’s RegCure as the best of five reg cleaners you could trust. The company employs about 150 people, so it is certainly an established business and very successful at selling its software.

http://www.utilitysoftwarereviews.com This site also recommends RegCure. But I have reservations about it …

I bought RegCure. It claimed to find 1,319 faults on my computer. Amazingly, it was able to remove all these in just about one minute. And the result? Not a pickle of difference, as far as I could see! Except that every time I start my computer I am now faced with an advertisement trying to get me to buy Paretologic’s other software, DriverCure. And I have to delete various options before I can get on with connecting to the internet. Very annoying. They also annoy me with their marketing techniques, getting you to fill in all your details before telling you how much you are going to have to pay – or indeed even before letting you know you will have to pay anything at all. That strikes me as a bit sneaky, and so makes me wonder if they are maybe behind some seemingly independent sites I have seen recommending their products. Sorry, but I am a cynical soul!

http://www.registrycleanerstested.org  This is by far the best comparison site I found because it gives really in-depth analysis to back up its findings. I really recommend you look at this site. As you will see, whilst he does not dismiss the software, Tyler Blanton, the man behind the site, also has reservations about RegCure.

The registry cleaner that comes out top in his very comprehensive tests is MAX Registry Cleaner. Now, even that only showed an improvement in performance of 11.5% so perhaps you should not expect miraculous results from any reg cleaner.

Now, there are still more options and you might prefer to take the advice of a man who has spent his life building and repairing computers. Here is another really useful site for you to refer to …

 http://asknerd.net  The Nerd picks three top programs he would be happy to recommend to his friends when in need of a trouble shooting program. They are:

1. Registry Patrol – his parents PC was literally taking about 5 minutes to load a web page, but RP soon had it running like new.

2. XP medic – specifically created for Windows XP (but maybe not suitable for novices)

3. The Windows Repair Kit – easy to use.

Below are the links to my shortlist. Please note there are no affiliate links here – I have no axe to grind. Most cost around $30 but you can run a free scan before you buy – don’t bother topurchase if there is little wrong.

http://www.registrypatrol.com

http://www.xpmedic.com

http://www.windowsrepairkit.com

 http://www.maxregistrycleaner.com

 Sorry, you will have to make the final decision yourself. But I hope all this saves you some research and makes it easier for you

Cheers!

Mat Gallaugher