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Entered CNET Catalog: 03/19/2005
SKU: SM5PC
Manufacturer: Iolo Technologies
Manufacturer description
System Mechanic 5 Professional is a totally integrated suite of powerful PC tools that will keep your system running smooth, fast, and error-free. Solve stubborn and frustrating problems and prevent them from reoccurring; automatically maintain your computer for peak performance, speed, and reliability; protect against viruses, hackers, trojans, e-mail worms, and Internet threats; eliminate dangerous spyware and malware parasites; ensure personal and Internet privacy and security; recover lost or deleted files, documents, photos, music, and e-mail; and much more! System Mechanic 5 Professional offers an unrivaled list of features by combining six award-winning products and seamlessly integrating them into one authoritative and easy-to-use solution!CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 04/29/2005
Running SM5P is a snap; its interface is both clean and intuitive. Click any of the six main tool-group tabs (Clean, Fix, Maintain, Optimize, Protect, 1-2-3 Options) along the left-hand side to display its tools. Highlighting any tool with your mouse displays a brief but helpful explanation at the bottom of the screen. Three of Iolo System Mechanic 5.0 Professional's new utilities are truly impressive. Program Relocator allows you to move programs to a different folder or drive, simultaneously updating links, shortcuts, and configuration data. In several tests, Relocator never failed us. But even if you were to run into problems with Relocator, there's another new SM5P tool, SafetyNet, which is a multilevel undo for all of SM5P's tool actions. The undo actions are stored in a database with location and archive size. SafetyNet allows the reversal of any number of single actions or transaction sets--groups of actions performed using one tool. Each action and transaction is documented in full detail, so you know ahead of time exactly what you're undoing.
We also like the new boot-time defragmenter, which supplements rather than replaces SM5P's Disk Defragmentation Wizard. By working at boot time, before Windows loads, this utility defragments system files that are normally out of reach. These include the Registry hives, the page file, and the MFT (Master File Table). Typically, all three are heavily modified by the Windows NT/2000/XP operating system regularly, leading over time to performance degradation. SM5P lets you defragment any or all of these, plus applications, at your next bootup or during all successive bootups. Given the sheer number of utilities and their individual options, we feel a printed manual is essential to Iolo System Mechanic 5.0 Professional. Unfortunately, Iolo Technologies has yet to provide even a PDF manual on disc, much less a printed one. By contrast, SM5P's context-sensitive, in-product help system is excellent, with plenty of hotlinks and enough detail to make well-informed choices.
Online support includes a basic FAQ, a searchable knowledge base, e-mail help, and a variety of step-by-step, diagrammed tutorials for simple tasks. Telephone support is free, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET; however, toll charges may apply.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
User Rating: 
4/10
I don't trust it.
Pros: Cleans up a system
Cons: Lacks options for experienced users
First installation it also blue screened my system.
Make sure you create a restore point in XP or have Go Back before letting the program do it's own thing.
I have this and Ashampoo Winoptimizer 3. System Mechanice is the loser .
User Rating: 
7/10
It is helpful - neither a panacea nor a disaster
Pros: Works well and provides system help
Cons: Slow and a resource hog.
So I wrote to tech support and after some back and forth I ended up reinstalling it from a direct download.
Since then it works. I'm not an expert but it seems to help some. Its not like everything is way better. And it takes too long to do its thing. Still, anything that helps combat internet crud and other things that gum up your system seems a good bet.
User Rating: 4/10
Know What Your Doing...
Pros: lots of great reviews
Cons: will litterally CLEAN out your computer if not used right
User Rating: 
9/10
Cleared up a slow pc
Pros: Sped up my slow Hp laptop, removed temp files from ie, fire fox and opera,
Cons: took a long time on deep scan. Virtual memory changes where undone when I opened word perfect.
User Rating: 
8/10
Never had a problem with System Mechanic in 2 years
Pros: Not Available
Cons: Not Available
Anti-virus is great and scan are quick on a good system.
User Rating: 
1/10
This product sucks
Pros: Nothing good
Cons: No responses to email requests for assistance
User Rating: 1/10
I should have listened...absolutely horrible!
Pros: Broad set of features...especially those that render your pc useless!
Cons: - Screwed-up BIOS as well as registry and XP's System Restore capability.
User Rating: 9/10
A great product. The folks at Kaspersky did a great job with this one.
Pros: I does so much, and it does it well.
Cons: NONE! I can not think of a single reason why you would not get this software
Firewall (excellent)
anti-virus (reliable)
anti-spyware program (I've seen better, but it does a good job)
Registry cleaner (Nice feature)
File shredder (another nice perk)
Memory defragmenter (very effective)
Windows tweaker (Just plan cool)
Deleted data recovery tool (comes in handy)
A hard drive defragmenter (suppose to do a much better job than window's built in one, but I don't use it)
and SO much more.....including good tech support!
User Rating: 1/10
lots of bugs - no refunds - AVOID!
Pros: automated "fixing" of several areas of concern
Cons: does things you don't wnat to do; terrible customer support
I was lookin at some of the other user comments. Back in Oct they had issued version "f". Now they are up to at least "p", incrementing the letter by 1 for each new version. Going from version "f" to "p" in a couple of months says there are a lot of problems with this software. The customer support offers no help at all. Just wait for the next version they keep saying. AVOID this software!!
User Rating: 8/10
Highly Recommendable
Pros: Complete and effective
Cons: Needs speed enhancement
For me, this program is solid, reliable, efficient and trustworthy- and it works just fine! I wouldn't hesitate to make a recommendation! Perhaps some people when they install new software, they don't make an efficient system clean before install - and that could make a world of a difference. Some people's systems are in such bad shape and yet they attempt to make trial installations - good grief, what do you expect...?
Anyways, System Mechanic is worth more than some would admit...! Fantastic!!!
User Rating: 1/10
Apprentice Mechanic
Pros: The box looks impressive
Cons: Crashes the PC, Freezes, makes PC unstable
User Rating: 1/10
Just would NOT work properly
Pros: NONE that I can see
Cons: PLENTY of them unfortunately
User Rating: 
2/10
Very poor Tech Support
Pros: Like the setup
Cons: Poor Tech Support
Well I emailed Tech support and to their defense they got back to me in no time. But I was told they found out what the problem is, and that there would be a patch coming out really soon. Well it seems that it took over 6 months to get the patch pretty much rendering the whole reason why i bought the program.
And of course to top it off.. when they released the actual patch, instead of releasing patches for both programs, they just released the professional and was told once again it is going to take the a few more weeks. Thats 6 months that this program has been gathering dust.
Ok, it's now about 3 weeks since my last email with the tech support who reported to me that they new patch will be released within two weeks from the time of the email.. Well today, as I have been checking daily, to my surprise Iolo released an update alright, they released a version 6.0f which it would uninstall my previous version and install the new version. Well this version is a 30 day trial and causes you either to have to pay or only use a 30 day trial. My advice to you is go with Norton or any other software package other than Iolo as you will just be wasting your money and not getting what you expect.
User Rating: 8/10
Works Great
Pros: No crashes in over a year
Cons: Takes some time to set up
User Rating: 2/10
Crashed My system
Pros: Cannot Think of One
Cons: Crashed My PC
I downloaded the product and got to try it. I did a virus scan and update and then did a scan of the machine. Within an hour the PC was acting up but I was still able to boot it up. I decided that I had better do a backup and was able to get most of data off.
Then it really started to act up. I tried to do a system repair using Windows XP, I tried doing a safe mode boot, it would not let me. The PC then started to make copies of programs and write them to the hard drive. Finally, when I decided I had had enough I tried to format the HD only to find that the system had written a password to the BIOS. There is no way I ever put a pass word in the BIOS.
I believe that either I had a virus or the system registry was waked or both. When I finally got a "Kill Disk" program it showed that I had a Tosiba Computer when I actually have an HP.
Well, maybe I am just not enough of an IT guy for this product. But I would approach this program with Caution. It is not for the faint of heart.
User Rating: 1/10
THese people are crooks
Pros: Highway robber
Cons: Shame on you CNET
WHAT CROOKS.
Shame on you CNET for not even checking to see if the autoupdate was even updating anything really. You owe me money as much as they do for your flawed review of the product which led me to purchase this product.
User Rating: 2/10
It Could've Been Great If It Only Functioned
Pros: The Concept was appealing
Cons: Freezes Computer, Very Unstable, Constant Not Responding Status
Later, I installed it on my new Dell (3.2 GHZ P4 HT, 2GB RAM, 80 GB HD) but it failed again. Nothing seemed to work properly.
I suggest everyone to stay away from this software. It's the greatest waste of sixty to seventy bucks.
User Rating: 2/10
Great Potential, but one major flaw
Pros: Less resource demand than Norton Systemworks
Cons: Will not function properly unless all accounts have Admin rights
Right now, I'm getting a blue screen crash when trying to enable Startup Guard, but more importantly...I've noticed that most of the features don't work unless the account you're accessing them from has Admin priviledges. This includes incinerator...which I could live with. It also includes the internet cleanup functionality...which I can't. If you "run as" an admin account from your limited rights account (XP Professional)..it will clean the cookies, recent files lists etc. for that account...not the one you're using. If you run it straight from a limited rights account...it will not function.
This means that if your day-to-day account is a user or power-user account, you must first give yourself admin rights...then log back in to use the software.
I'd strongly suggest thinking twice about this software if your machine is configured for multiple users...some of which are not Admin accounts.
Hopefully they'll consider addressing this in the future.
User Rating: 9/10
The real way to clean your computer.
Pros: Clean out sensitive information from your PC.
Cons: Wish they had their own Anti-Virus software.
Go to iolo's website. They have advertised that they will donate a percentage of their profits of sales through their website to the Red Cross for aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I went to Symantec's website and all they have is a link to the Red Cross; no promise of helping out the victims. To me, it sounds like Symantec is only interested in making more profits and acquiring more companies for their own benefit. Is this what humanity has become in the 21st Century? If any of you have a heart, and I know there are few, go to iolo's website and do something to help not only your computer, which is not really that important compared to the problems in the Deep South, but to help those who need help now.
User Rating: 1/10
Major Disappointment
Pros: None that come to mind
Cons: Unstable, disables internet connection
User Rating: 9/10
Wouldn't be without it
Pros: System Mechanic 5 Professional keeps my PC free of junk.
Cons: No bones to pick.
User Rating: 9/10
absolutely awesome
Pros: fast, easy to use, all in one integration
Cons: none really, very intuitive
User Rating: 8/10
Take time with it but it is great software
Pros: Great live support
Cons: Did not really find one yet
Popup blocker is great and helps to eliminate popups on the screen.
Defrag takes a long time in optimize but I contacted iolo about it and they explained what the process does. I understand that now. Quick defragger is faster.
Duplicate file search tool needs a really big scary window about not using it unless you know what you are doing.
The memory tool is great!
I could not really find a lot of flaws with the application.
Reading the help files and online tutorial information helped a lot. Iolo techs were really good at answering my questions also.
User Rating: 9/10
You guys are crack smokers!
Pros: Less intrusive to the system than Norton
Cons: Duplicate tool needs to be relocated and the Defrag tool needs better explaining
Does anyone bother to read the knowledgebase articles on Symantec's website? That alone is enough to scare the crud out of installing their software. If you take the time to actually read the System Mechanic 5 help file, online tutorials, and knowledgebase articles, the software becomes user intuitive. To just install it and start blindly running the tools and deleting stuff, well, you deserve exactly what you get if you have a problem.
The main thing this application has over others is live (FREE) technical support and (FREE) email support. Sure it is a toll number but it is better than not being able to call someone. If you ever get lucky enough to get one of their techs named Steve, THAT guy knows what?s going on. I thought my system was lost because I couldn?t read any of my text in Windows. I went through HP, and those less than knowledgeable geeks at Best Buy, everyone wanted to reinstall Windows. Steve knew exactly what the issue was, it was Adobe, and totally caught me off guard. Why those other experienced idiots didn?t know about this or how to correct it is awful. Steve is a compu-GOD!
The engineers of System Mechanic are constantly on top of their software, unlike Norton SystemWorks. I have seen many changes in the software since the beginning of the year and do not see where others are coming from about the software being garbage. Face it. If you knew what you were doing on the computer you wouldn?t need software like System Mechanic 5. I know what I?m doing but I only use System Mechanic 5 for the Internet cleanup tool and junk cleaner because I?m lazy. I will remain a user and most likely move on to their next version.
[Edited by: admin]
User Rating: 
10/10
Second to NONE!
Pros: Great looking program and easy to use
Cons: Anti-Virus is just OK but its not their program
User Rating: 10/10
It's the best...
Pros: Easy to use. Great tech support
Cons: Should have shopped for a better price... :(
) I'd certainly recommend it.
User Rating: 1/10
Absolutely HORRIBLE! Where did the editor's go wrong?
Pros: Easy Installation, that's all that can be considered a pro!
Cons: The software never worked correctly, slowed my computer down to a grinding halt never allowing me to do anything or see the Task Manager to figure out what was going on. I had just re-built too!
User Rating: 8/10
A good fixer upper
Pros: Meets most users needs and then some
Cons: Not idiot proof
The interface was nice and easy to use and tells you in a nut shell what the certain functions do with a mouse over.
When cleaning up wasted items from your computer you need to make sure theat whatever is listed is what you really need to get rid of....It will find large amounts of file space to give back to you but a lot of those are your .bak files....some of which you may just need later.
All in all I think it's a great program and worth the money!
User Rating: 9/10
Very fast and easy to use
Pros: fast and good interface
Cons: Needs more features
User Rating: 9/10
The Best & Easiest to use
Pros: It does so much more that what you see advertised
Cons: None, that really matter
Just be sure to get a "snapshot" of your PC when you first install the program [explaned in the helps] and don't change the defult untill you get to know the utility.
Most important, GET THE PRO version!
User Rating: 9/10
Better, cleaner, and easier to configure than Norton or VCom System Suite.
Pros: Clean and tight, none of the bloatware you find in Norton, and very effective.
Cons: Can't think of any, it just works. But as with any utility, make sure you do your backups.
User Rating: 7/10
Very Good Product for an Average User.
Pros: Great Interface, EASY to use
Cons: Installation problem, some bugs (update feature)
Aside from possible one time errors that not everyone will get, I haven't noticed a HUGE improvement in my computer. But I haven't played around with all of the features yet, and I'm not an expert at it. I have noticed some improvement however.
The PROS: Great Interface. Smooth graphics, and relatively good groupings to find what you are looking for. As Cnet has said, it isn't a system hog - which is a HUGE plus for me!
As well, real time system monitors, and memory defrag is GREAT. Junk removal is safe and accurate. Make sure when installing you select to make backups for system restore. It might come in handy if you accidently delete something.
The duplicate file finder scares me - so if anyone has tried that - let me know how this works.
Well, the error came back again and the program crashed. I emailed their tech support again and advised them of this re-occuring problem. They replied with a strange and confusing cut and paste off their website, which was hard to follow.
The weird thing is, the program 'crashes' and gives you an error message. You can still see it in the background behind the error message and you can still use the features of the program. Odd.
I still 'recommend' the program, so consider this as an FYI.
User Rating: 2/10
Almost a great product
Pros: Lots of useful good features
Cons: Bad side effects of using some features
User Rating: 8/10
Outstanding system maintenance program
Pros: Has just about any repair feature you commonly use
Cons: Other than no Manual, I have no cons
User Rating: 10/10
great, i have been using since 4.0
Pros: great registry cleaner
Cons: lacks backup image
User Rating: 7/10
Good product
Pros: good defragmenter, network optimizer
Cons: Missing disk copy feature, missing some features found in TweakXP
However, a true registry cleaner/system mechanic will be able to remove this garbage called "Norton Systemworks".
This product is the real benchmark.
If a tool can claim to remove the norton junk from my PC, i'll definitely give it a 10
User Rating: 9/10
Power tools for Power Users Thank you Iolo. THIS IS THE TRUE SWISS ARMY KNIFE./TOOL/UTILITY/THNGE
Pros: Robust & complete power utility maintainence tweektool antivirus/hacker ect..ect..
Cons: maybe to much power for those who onlyTHINK they know what they are doing
AND sorry to tell 'yall
spyware adware snoopsniffmya$$ware trojans worms/exploithackers whatever are VIRUSES.
So they also throw in Kasperski AV/AH.
This replaced like 5 or 6 separate programs i had to use to have an ok safe system. by Mr. Norton & freinds. and allthe lesser germ tools adawreect... DO YOUR XP UPDATES.. UPDATE YOUR SYSMECH... use your computer .computerusers....
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