Entered CNET Catalog: 11/19/2005
SKU: 756059111128B
Manufacturer: Iolo Technologies
Manufacturer description
System Mechanic fixes PC problems, keeps systems running at peak performance, and properly maintains Windows to prevent problems. Version 6 contains powerful tools like high-speed disk and memory defragmentation, spyware removal, popup blocking, registry tools, global software uninstallation, and more!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
User Rating: 
2/10
POOR - POOR - POOR
Pros: worked ok for a while, even got support for a while
Cons: SM 6 progressively got worse, then more than worse, then no more support
Was going to upgrade to SM 7 Pro - they couldn't pay me to now. Well - maybe, if they paid me enough to buy a Mac.
Worked ok for a few months then more and more problems, then no support, then what SM 6 flagged up as a catastrophic SM 6 crash - again with 0 support - couldn't even reload it after deleting program and all lingering files. Learned a lot as a positive(fixing the mess). kinda funny now!!
User Rating: 
1/10
This is rubbish
Pros: Easy interface
Cons: Freezes does not intergarte with other software
User Rating: 2/10
dont give your money away
Pros: looks good
Cons: have to uninstal within a day
messes up computer
User Rating: 2/10
Problematic
Pros: Can't think of any pros
Cons: Does the opposite of what it is supposed to
User Rating: 1/10
Does nothing except boast about itself
Pros: Cheap - but you get what you pay for
Cons: Sleazy co-marketing with Zone-Labs for credibility
Registry optimization was laughable: boot time actually increased;
Software continually gives dire warnings about system safety, even immediately after its own optimization: basically, this was designed to make you THINK it's doing a good job;
A complete waste of money - I tried it becuase ZoneLabs sent me a promo. They should be ashamed of themselves.
User Rating: 
3/10
needs patches
Pros: Tech support
Cons: Needs patches, takes out my MS mouse track ball settings, hogs computer resources, slowed down my computer considerably
User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent Program overall, has improved all 7 of my computers at home and the one at my office.
Pros: Very detailed and all-inclusive program.
Cons: Slow at times, and seems to want to do the same thing over and over again.
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent Product
Pros: Faster boot, faster internet, overall better performance
Cons: A little slow
User Rating: 2/10
Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.
Pros: Um, if I think of any, I'll get back to you
Cons: Absolute WORST customer service EVER
If you are OK with a program that deletes, changes, data without telling you what or why, then good luck to you. I got shocked into the realization that things I NEED were being deleted.
Top that off with probably the worst customer service in history, and you get the complete nightmare. FOUR times explaining my problem, and continually got the same "stock" response that had NOTHING to do with my problem. Calls to them directly only made matters worse. When asked for a name to send a letter as to why I would no longer be a customer, I was told by customer service and the operator that they would not give out that info.
It's a pretty sad state when the company doesn't even want you to know who the executives are. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
User Rating: 
8/10
Powerful and informative, but not for the faint of heart!
Pros: Great learning tool.
Cons: Can't be left to it's own devices.
When monitored properly this is an excellent utility. I use ad-ware Pro (adwatch) to monitor and allow or deny registry changes, and ZA Security suite to monitor all system resource requests. Also I don't run any auto functions such as start-up gaurd as they only slow down the system. Configure and monitor all changes maually. There is no all in one utility, but used in conjunction with other apps it is very useful.
User Rating: 
4/10
Sorry I upgraded
Pros: not very much
Cons: Lacks detailed information, confusing interface, no support
User Rating: 9/10
Great Utility Program!
Pros: Easy to use and does not slow down my PC
Cons: None - It's doing everything thing I expected
User Rating: 3/10
constant stream of 'would you like to send this report?'
Pros: high quality cardboard box.
Cons: didn't seem to improve anything
User Rating: 9/10
Very, very good.
Pros: Beats Norton.
Cons: Non so far that I can see.
User Rating: 1/10
Deleted 50 GB inclusing programs like firefxox..etc
Pros: nothing, just pretty misleading interface
Cons: Never install unless you want to head for a data disaster
User Rating: 9/10
A must-have utility to keep Windows XP from dying a slow death
Pros: Too many to list, but one-step PC TotalCare is great
Cons: Disk Defragger takes too long
One of the cleanup options is a windows uninstaller. This is one of the few uninstallers I have found that will actually uninstall programs that are not in the windows add/remove programs list -- including associated registry entries and ini files.
For Disk Defragmenting, I would use Diskeeper or PerfectDisk -- this defragger takes too long. Also the System Mechanic Pro version is not needed if you already have an AntiVirus and firewall program, such as Norton Internet Security 2005/2006.
The last time I tried Norton SystemWorks it was still too much of a resource hog, and it doesn't have all the features of System Mechanic.
User Rating: 
7/10
solid system utility suite
Pros: all you need for your PC are here
Cons: compatibility with firewall software
User Rating: 3/10
not yet ready for use
Pros: better defrag
Cons: always says that the same items need to be fixed.
User Rating: 1/10
Will reduce you system performance until you will think your running Microsoft ME
Pros: The word PRO on the package
Cons: Will reduce your System that no mechanic could help ---just airfreight your computer to Lourdes and hope for a miracle!
PRO-crastinate before buying.
To defragment use Diskeeper 9 or Perfect Disk. Stick with Windows Firewall. Use one the multiple anti virus and anti spyware programmes available.
It would be nice if all the solutions were in a box --maybe somewhere -- but NOT this box!
%20-%20complete%20package%20-%20Utility%20suites%20-%20CNET%20Archive&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/utility-suites/system-mechanic-v-6/1707-3690_7-31609909.html){kind=small}