Free Scan!!!!!!!!

[Dave Davison]

Hi....I am accutely aware that the majority of offers to scan one's computer for free are just ploys to induce the purchase of their full product so as to purge the many -so called- hindrances they find that are said to be "slowing down the computer".
However, the latest newsletter from Alan Wyatt http://word.tips.net/ci.html?awt_l=Iloi ... g1kyjQPx4X
which seems to be Kosher, recommends a free scan by "PC Pitstop". Comments please.... Regards Dave.

[HansV]

Hi Dave,

PC Pitstop might well be a bona fide program, but that part of Alan Wyatt's newsletter looks very much like an advertisement disguised as an editorial.

The free scan offered is nothing more or less than that - a scan. If you want to do something with the results of the scan, you'd have to buy the Optimizer program from PC Pitstop.

I'd pass it by if I were you.

[Dave Davison]

Many thanks Hans...words of wisdom I believe, I firmly believe in erring on the side of caution and "If in doubt to do nowt (nothing) as we say in the UK". I have read more than once in mags and other forums that such scans purport to find dozens of problems many of which are in fact imaginary but in the event that some are genuine, is there a free download that will identify & root them out please? Thanks Dave D.

[StuartR]

...is there a free download that will identify & root them out please? Thanks Dave D.

The most highly recommended is Malwarebytes anti-malware.

[Dave Davison]

Please pardon my dullness but I logged on to the suggested site but can't see the obvious tab to click to download the appropriate app. SORRY guys.... Dave.

[HansV]

The Malwarebytes program mentioned by StuartR is an excellent free anti-malware tool.

If you want a program that will clean up (some of) the clutter that gets left behind on your PC during use, try CCleaner. It removes superfluous files and also contains a very cautious registry cleaner. Download the "slim" version from CCleaner - Builds. It too is free.

[HansV]

Please pardon my dullness but I logged on to the suggested site but can't see the obvious tab to click to download the appropriate app. SORRY guys.... Dave.

Try the "Download now" button on this page (this link may not be available indefinitely)

[Dave Davison]

A thousand thanks gentlemen, don't know where I would be without your incredible assistance fired by such amazing willingness & patience. THANK YOU....Dave.

[Slim]

Dave,
If you want to scan for malware you could consider Spybot Search and Destroy. It is free and may meet your needs. It does not scan or try to correct the Registry.
I have used it for several years and have been satisfied with it.
Regards,
Slim

[viking33]

Please pardon my dullness but I logged on to the suggested site but can't see the obvious tab to click to download the appropriate app. SORRY guys.... Dave.

For your further info, Dave. On that screenshot you supplied, you have to click on one of the "mirror" sites listed below the download icon.

[Dave Davison]

Many thanks Dave.

[Graeme]

I've been using Advanced SystemCare Free for a while now. It does a spyware scan and registry fix and cleans up a lot of junk. It also runs a lot of utilities that are already in Windows, but at least they are all in the same place. If I've left it for a while then my pc certainly runs faster after a scan so it must be doing something good! They try to sell you the full product but the free version still cleans up the errors it finds.

I would be interested to know if anyone else has experience of this product.

Regards

Graeme

[Pilgrim]

The 2 programs which seem to get the from the most reliable sources and of which I have to agree from my own testing and experience are in the order of my preference:

1. Malwarebyte's Anti-malware
2. SUPERAntispyware

Both offer FREE versions as well as pay Pro versions which provide real-time protection along with a few other additional features.

[John Gray]

I agree with your suggestions - but what on earth is that smilie supposed to mean/be doing?

[StuartR]

I agree with your suggestions - but what on earth is that smilie supposed to mean/be doing?

I suspect it may be a variant on

[Samantha]

I agree with your suggestions - but what on earth is that smilie supposed to mean/be doing?

I had the same initial reaction -- looked to me like the little orange face was winking and waving a candle about. A quick right-click and save-as selection showed its original name as "thumUp2.gif".

[Bigaldoc]

Sheesh, even with my bad eyes I can plainly see it's a guy with a white glove on with fingers curled and thumb pointing up.

So, check the properties of this one:

[Graeme]

The 2 programs which seem to get the ..........

Thanks I'll have a look at those.

Great smiley!

[John Gray]

I agree with your suggestions - but what on earth is that smilie supposed to mean/be doing?

I had the same initial reaction -- looked to me like the little orange face was winking and waving a candle about. A quick right-click and save-as selection showed its original name as "thumUp2.gif".

I thought it was a candle, too - which is why I inquired! Not as good as one of Kel's...

[Pilgrim]

Hmmmm, I never thought that little Smiley would cause so much confusion.

Perhaps I should forgo using that one here and use this one instead?!