PC Tune up -- nothing but problems

Did you have to pay for PC TuneUp, or was it free?  If it was free, I'd be uninstalling it, and using something else!

It sounds like it's deleting - or at least modifying files, which it thinks are corrupt - or 'junk', when in actual fact they're program related files, hence why you're subsequently having problems with those programs?

 

There are any number of free programs available, which between them, can perform everything PC TuneUp does, without affecting the smooth running of a system!

I personally use CCleaner, but there's another (free) program which does almost exactly the same, and I suspect it was intended that way, since it has almost exactly the same name - bar just one letter - namely FCleaner.

It's absolutely invaluable IMO - especially if (like me) you're in the habit of installing (i.e.) trial software, games demos etc, which often leave files behind, even after they're meant to have uninstalled everything.

 

Another program I have installed is PMCC's Baku.

I've linked to the latest version of it on the Softpedia website there, because the program's homepage still only offers the much older v3.x for some reason?

It's main function is to check the registry for invalid shortcuts/entries, but before doing so, you can backup the registry, so you can reinstall it again should anything go amiss... but I've never had any such problem, in all the time I've used it.

Whilst CCleaner has a similar feature, I've found that Baku is far better at tracking down defunct registry entries, and always finds additional entries, after running CCleaner.

 

If you'd like links to any other similar (free) programs (defraggers etc), don't hesitate to say , and I'll provide 'em for you :emotion-5:

But I think you'll be very surprised how much junk etc CCleaner [in particular] will find, and how much hard drive space you'll get back when it's done its job.

To give you an idea... I first told my eldest son about it, not long after he'd installed Vista for the first time.

He downloaded/installed the program, and it subsequently found over 12GB of files he could safely get rid of :emotion-3:

Admittedly - most of that was down to system restore points, but it just shows you how capable it is.

And it's regularly updated, which is always a good sign.  You can actually 'Check for updates' to the program before you 'Analyse' your system.

But that's obviously only necessary if it's been a while since you ran the program.  I personally run CCleaner 2 - 4 times a week, depending on what/how much I've installed/uninstalled since running it last, and like to check for updates every other run.

 

 

Anyways... I'm just rambling/raving now!  I hope you manage to sort your problems meantime :emotion-21:

Thank you for your very informative and helpful reply.  The PC tune up came on my new computer.  I guess I'm frustrated that I paid for this program as part of the computer purchase and Dell won't troubleshoot its own software.   I debated whether to return the computer but decided to keep it anyway as the price of the new Dell laptops just went up significantly in price since Windows 7 came out. 

I found it interesting that a friend of mine just installed ccleaner on my old computer (that was hanging up, freezing, slow, etc., which was the reason for purchasing a new computer) and now it works almost like new.  So I'm taking the advice of the two of you and deleting the PC tune up.  What is the difference between the ccleaner and fcleaner?  Do I need one of them or both of them?  Also, are you aware of a software program called System Mechanic?  I got this program free also with my computer but haven't installed it yet.  I assume it must do the same as ccleaner and dell pc tune up.  Like you, I love to play a lot of games and need something to get rid of those files that are left behind after uninstalling.

I haven't had the nerve yet to install my Windows 7 upgrade.  One problem at a time.....   :emotion-21:

Thanks for writing.  Looking forward to your reply....