[OlPhilosopher]

Hope it's okay to post a link here:

www.acelogix.com/

They've been around for 6-7 years. I see they now have some freeware, but the main suite costs (not much).

Personally, I'd hate to think about wiping 4 Tb!!!! My free space is only about 7 Gb, and the DOD wipe takes over an hour. :_|

[mphenterprises]

I downloaded ACE Optimization Utility from their website. I will check it out after I check on Deleteonclick. Thanks for the suggestion.

[coastie65]

I've only used the "Normal" scan to date, and that takes about 15 - 20 mins to do a full scan of "C" ( no partitions). May try it though. Right now, Tomb Raider : Underground has been wearing my patience thin. :D coastie

[mphenterprises]

Hi OlPhilosopher. As promised, I ran a scan using the Ace Optimizer Utility. Overall, I am not a fan but this was only run #1. From what I see, it is very comprehensive. I only used Clean Up options (Remove Junk Files, Erase Your History, and Fix Invalid Shortcuts.).

The Remove Junk Files is a nice feature. I actually gained about 1GB by doing that. In the grand scheme, that is really not that much but it is nice to have. The one thing that I did not like about that feature is the fact that it would not like me see the full list of the junk files before they were removed. The Fix Invalid Shortcut feature is something that I have used within other applications. I was not happy with the Erase Your History section. The options I selected required a restart. I figured after the restart, the application would continue and then give me a report of its findings. Nothing.

I started to use the Find Duplicate Files feature under the Optimize section but I could not imagine how long it would take to scan all of my hard drives. I also did not use either option under the Protect section. Securely Delete Files is pretty much exactly what it says. I will use this feature when appropriate.

The Wipe Deleted File Data feature appears to be very thorough but I did not have the guts to try that one yet. Especially the way the function is worded, "Eliminate all traces of files left on selected drive..." I will run this feature as a test on one of my smaller drives to see how well it works.

The Shred Files in Recycle Bin feature is not something I will try, at least not yet. I immediately ran CCleaner after running these scans and recovered another 5.5GBs. For future scans, I may run the Shred Files in Recycle Bin feature first and then run CCleaner.

Thanks for the suggestion on Ace. Deleteonclick is next. Stay tuned.

[OlPhilosopher]

Thanks for giving it a test drive, MPH. I've been a fan of AU for several years, but apparently I was lulled into a false sense of security, on several counts.

After the recommendation that I try CCleaner, I have run several tests to compare the two. At this point, AU seems to fall short of CCleaner in handling cookies. There are a few features that AU has that are really handy to have in one application.

1. Find Duplicate Files. Does a good job, and arranges them in an easy-to-work-with grid.

2. Start Up Manager. Like any other, but right here with everything else.

3. Uninstall Manager: Same story...it's right here.

4. Find Empty Folders: Unlike most others, AU hides system and hidden folders so the average user is not going to delete something necessary to the OS.

5. Disk Analysis: This is a BIGGY! You can easily tell where all your space went, by file size, percentage of space used, etc. You can also delete files right from this interface without having to go through Windows Explorer.

6. Wipe Deleted File Data>Wipe Free Space: And here's where AU may have the edge. You can select the number of passes, up to 7, for over-writing ALL "free" space on the entire drive. While CCleaner will wipe the area left behind by the files it deletes, it is ONLY wiping the data for that particular file(s).. AU (supposedly) cleans up everything, regardless of when, or how it was "deleted".

I found CCleaner heads above AU on finding junk and reclaiming space. For example, AU found only 37 cookies for me to "manage" while CCleaner found 50. AU doesn't give you any neat little reports telling you what it did, but if you need to find out where/how your storage resources are being used, it's a great tool. Also, if you in an environment where you need to make sure sensitive data is completely removed (surplus your corporate drives, etc.) then I doubt you can find a DOD compliant disk eraser anywhere else for $40.

I'm not trying to sell anyone on AU, because other free products work better at what they do. But AU does offer a computer neophyte a good tool for keeping things relatively clean.

[mphenterprises]

OlPhilosopher said:

5. Disk Analysis: This is a BIGGY! You can easily tell where all your space went, by file size, percentage of space used, etc. You can also delete files right from this interface without having to go through Windows Explorer.

Hi OlPhilosopher. Thanks for this added information. I switched back over into Windows Vista. The next time I use Windows XP, I will try the Disk Analysis.

[OlPhilosopher]

I guess it's like the old mechanics'/carpenters' saying, "A guy can never have enough tools!"
I ran CCleaner against my Registry and found 1 "issue". I then ran Ace Utilities against the Registry, and found 15 issues, including the one that CC found. I deleted those in AU and re-ran it. Because of the circuitious nature of Windows Registry, I've found that deleting one entry can make another invalid, even when it was valid before, because the 2nd entry refered to the 1st, which refered to nothing valid. (?!) Anyway, if I find something in AU, I remove it, and then scan again, and again until it comes up clean. The second time I ran it, it found one more issue (invalid key).
So...AU found 14 issues that CC did not, and then found another after cleaning the first 15.

Wonder if there's really one registry cleaner that does it all?

[mphenterprises]

OlPhilosopher said:

Wonder if there's really one registry cleaner that does it all?

>
>



That's an easy one. Absolutely not. :D It doesn't matter what the application is. No application can do it all. That is a perfect example as to why Security Suites are not highly regarding amongst technical professionals. Even outside of the security realm, those who really understand technology know that no one application is a do all and be all of anything.

[mphenterprises]

mphenterprises said:

>

Quote

The Wipe Deleted File Data feature appears to be very thorough but I did not have the guts to try that one yet. Especially the way the function is worded, "Eliminate all traces of files left on selected drive..." I will run this feature as a test on one of my smaller drives to see how well it works.

>
>




Okay, I switched back into Windows XP and I do have to say that I like the Windows Explorer Add-In to wipe the free space of a drive. Check this out: (Click on the image to enlarge it.)











I am running the Wipe Free Space option on Drive I:. This is one of my smaller drives (500GBs). So far, it is only 47% complete and it has been running since 3:30 this afternoon. I may only run this process once per month on each partition/drive. I'll run the Disk Analysis later tonight or tomorrow.

[OlPhilosopher]

I don't have the latest version of AU, so mine doesn't have that feature.

BUT!!! I found something really freaky and scary with CCleaner!

This has happened twice, so it's not my imagination. When I cleaned with CC, and had it empty my Recycle Bin, the icon showed there was still something in the Bin. I opened it, and there was nothing. I ran CC again, and there was nothing about the Recycle Bin.

So, I right clicked on the icon to "emply recycle bin" and a window opened up asking me IF I REALLY WANTED TO DELETE "WINDOWS"!!!

Nooooo....I don't think so. (?!!!!)

[coastie65]

WHOA!!! As many times as I have used CCleaner, I have never seen that before. That is the first time i have even heard of that anomaly, if in fact that is what it is. Yeah, it is pretty scary alright. coastie

[OlPhilosopher]

Like I said, it's happened TWICE now. This time I used AU against the Recycle Bin and it said it was "empty". I have no clue...but both times I had to reboot the system to clear the recycler icon, and each time it took FOREVER to save Window's settings and shut down.

[mphenterprises]

Hi OlPhilosopher. I will run a scan using CCleaner and post some screen shots. Like Coastie, I have never seen anything like that but I was not really looking for it either.

[mphenterprises]

Okay, I ran two tests, one in each Operating System. Here is what I found: (Click on each image to enlarge it.)




I have the latest version of CCleaner installed in both Operating Systems. I initially ran CCleaner in Windows XP. I completely forgot to change the security setting from Gutmann to DOD but after the first scan, CCleaner indicated that the Recycle Bin was emptied:








I went to the Desktop and the icon for the Recycle Bin was empty:









When I Right Clicked on the Recycle Bin, Empty the Recycle Bin was not available:









I switched over into Windows Vista and ran the exact process all over again, with the exact same results:


Scan Report







Recycle Bin Icon






Right Click Option of Recycle Bin







At no point was I prompted with a confirmation message similar to what you mentioned so I really do not know what happened or why.

[number6]

OlPhilosopher said:

I don't have the latest version of AU, so mine doesn't have that feature.


BUT!!! I found something really freaky and scary with CCleaner!


This has happened twice, so it's not my imagination. When I cleaned with CC, and had it empty my Recycle Bin, the icon showed there was still something in the Bin. I opened it, and there was nothing. I ran CC again, and there was nothing about the Recycle Bin.


So, I right clicked on the icon to "emply recycle bin" and a window opened up asking me IF I REALLY WANTED TO DELETE "WINDOWS"!!!


Nooooo....I don't think so. (?!!!!)

That has happened a few times to me, except the deleting Windows part. I never figured it was a problem because it would always fix itself eventually. I'm eager to find out what you folks decide about it.

[OlPhilosopher]

Like I said, MPH, it's not a regular thing. It's happened twice in the past week, but only once before that in 4 years!

I rewound the video tape in my head and made a connection....maybe. The times it has happened, I've also got a message (upon reboot to clear the icon),that Windows Movie Maker was still running...did I want to quit now? This is after Movie Maker had been closed, but was apparently still running a process of some sort.. So...this annomoly seems to be connected to Windows Movie Maker in some way. The next time I have MM running, and quit, and this happens, I'm going to check the Task Manager to see if it still hiding there.

Thanks for trying to check it out...but it's a rondowm thing...unless I'm right about MM on >my< system.

[ronin7752]

I'm a pro technician, and I've been using CCleaner for years. Recently, I've been seeing an increasing number of occasions when it says that files have been successfully deleted when in fact, they have not. I have also found an increasing number of occurences where an anti-virus program says it has scanned a directory, when in fact, it hasn't. I suspect this may be related to certain types of virus infections, or attempted infections -- but not sure yet.

[Flashorn]

Hey Everyone !!



I don't normaly use CCleaner , I don't even have it on my PC but, I just wanted

to find out how effective it was so , I installed it and ONLY used the Broom option.

As you all know , I don't trust reg cleaners of ANY kind.



I had CCleaner analyze the HDD and it came back with 23 megs of crap to clean .

I then proceeded to delete those files.



I then used my usual Cleaner , which is ATF Cleaner and it came back with 73 megs

of crap to clean up. Well, I uninstalled CCleaner and will continue to use ATF Cleaner.



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[Flashorn]

Hey MPH !!



Hope all is well with you and the Mrs.

If this shot you posted is of your Desktop :


Recycle Bin Icon




The short cut for Adobe reader says Reader 8. Now , I don't

want to be a pain in the... but, PLZ try and be up-to-date . ( just kidding ).

Really though, you should update to nine (9) .

I must also warn you that there is a ZeroDay Exploit that is on the loose

for Adobe Reader 9 so , be careful which PDF you open. Adobe says that

there won't be a patch out before March. Read :

http://www.geeksares...ion-9-software/ .



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[mphenterprises]

Hi Flashorn. Definitely thanks for the heads up. Yup, I am guilty. I still use Adobe. I have never had any issues with it, even with all the known malicious attacks. I have updated to Adobe Reader 9. :D