Replacing Norton Systemworks... options?

[DroogieX]

Hi, which programs are the best to replace this Norton Systemworks functions that I use:

*Antivirus?
*Disk Defragmenter?
*Win Doctor?
*Ghost?
*Disk Doctor?
*One Button checkup (windows registry scan, program integrity scan, shortcut scan, clean upscan)?

Any comments appreciated as well as opinions about if those norton systemworks options I mentioned do really work, is there another suite that works better?, which are the separate options avalible?

Thanks!

 

[linney]

Anti virus recommendation are personal choices and you can expect varied opinions, for example I use NOD32 from Eset.

I also make use of the maintenance programs included in XP and while not perfect or the best they suffice and are free.
Things such as the Disk Defrag program and Automated System Recovery.

I have also used Imaging software from

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/prodgrid.html

Anything to do with the Registry cleaning, although it is not something I do often, and only as a last resort, I suggest JV16 from Macecraft.

jv16 PowerTools

http://www.macecraft.com/

Which ever registry program you might use it is essential to have a good backup of the registry for when things go wrong. This is a life saver -

Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

Whatever you decide to do always make sure any valuable data you cannot afford to be without is always backed up.

 

[Jasen]

Most of those programs do not need replacements.
I prefer F-Prot from Frisk for my AV. Very small footprint, uses like 8MB of RAM while it's running, as compared to Norton which grabs over 20MB.
Norton's AV is the only product on there I'd even use. All the rest of that is handled fine with built-in windows tools, and with much less overhead.

I also second JV16 as a decent tool.

 

[captaincrunch00]

I wouldnt use Norton for your home PC... But I agree with Linney and Jasen.
Use the normal windows tools and you'll be fine.

Sounds to me like you're going a little bit overkill with the programs you want to use. I do a chkdsk once in a while, probably once every 3 months or so if I remember.

I have AVG for antivirus which works great.
I dont do registry scans, I cant say they'd be worth your time.

Just get a decent antivirus, use Ad Aware and Spybot and you'll be fine.