Yes Keilaron, I can change what program opens text files. But GridinSoft Notepad icon always shows for all text files in the Explorer files list.

Is there anything in them or are they empty?
Installation programs have a tendency to be sloppy like that, though it's usually the installation directory that gets prematurely created (especially if you specify it yourself).

Hello,
I noticed something this morning, System Mechanic added entries to the registry for versions 4, 5, and 6, even though I stopped the installation of this program at the EULA.
Very strange.
Have a good one,
Barry

BillW50 - But what if you try to change it? There's a change button there. Clicky clicky. Or is it disabled?

Hmh, I installed it yesterday, but virtually only. When I ran a scan the results ranged from poor to fair in different points. It also didn't like 3 startup programs, but it wouldn't tell me what these were. Same on the other results.
Anyway, with that it went right out the door again....
Pura vida

From what I understand I don't think all of the System Mechanic Software is made by iolo. The antispyware I'm not to sure about, I don't think it is made by iolo. Maybe that is why it says that.

I just checked again under Folder Options -> File Types and it lists text files as opens with Notepad (which is what I am currently using) and shows the Notepad icon. But in a file list, GridinSoft Notepad icon is there. :(

I have seen that once I think. Where one program would override the association through Explorer. I fixed it by uninstalling the offending program. Today I still have a GridinSoft Notepad 3.2 (GAOTD 01/16/2007) icon on my text files. I hacked the program a bit and it is unstable (after I hacked it) so I don't use it. But the icon remains. Maybe I should uninstall it huh?

Really? I'd like to know more about that - what happened? It outright refused to change it, button was greyed out, it crashed, it seemed to make the change but didn't, ...?

Yes, however it does not always work, which I found out on a friends lappy today.

It would be easier for most users to change the association using Open With or the Tools menu in explorer ;>
Either hold shift while right-clicking on the .reg file and go to "Open with..." (which gives you the option to make it permanent), or go to Tools -> Folder Options, then the [File Types] tab, type REG (or look for it) and change the association there.

I had to associate a file association because after I used this application it decided to change .reg files to open with notepad.

I fixed association myself, so if anyone also finds the same thing happen, then copy and paste - save the script below to a text document, then hit start then run and drop it into the the Open slot and accept what you're doing, which is changing .reg files to be double clicked and information added to registry rather than open with notepad.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.reg]
@="regfile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.reg\PersistentHandler]
@="{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile]
@="Registration Entries"
"EditFlags"=dword:00100000

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
2c,00,31,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\edit]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\edit\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,4e,00,4f,00,\
54,00,45,00,50,00,41,00,44,00,2e,00,45,00,58,00,45,00,20,00,25,00,31,00,00,\
00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\open]
@="Mer&ge"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\open\command]
@="regedit.exe \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\print]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\print\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,4e,00,4f,00,\
54,00,45,00,50,00,41,00,44,00,2e,00,45,00,58,00,45,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,20,\
00,25,00,31,00,00,00

Agreed! 'IF' answers I get, post them here I will if others yet not post. ;)

Hello,
That is my suspicion exactly, BuBBy, anytime I have let "third parties" software, into my computer, I usually have ended up getting stung one way or another. The way this EULA reads it gives "THE DARK SIDE" way to much power.
Take care,
Darth....Ops I mean
Barry

Barry,

Thanks for catching that! I would've caught that when I went to install because I always read the EULA, but thanks to your post here you've saved me the trouble. I'll have to see what I can find out before I install this. I agree with you and BuBBy, sounds very suspicious to me! As stated I have another utility I use for this maintenance but wanted to try System Mechanic anyway.

More concerning - they would also collect data, control and monitor computers running this software for legitimately licensed users also. Sounds suspiciously similar to spyware to me.

Hi,
I downloaded System Mechanic to try it out, read the EULA, and found this: quote

"SOFTWARE DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING

The SOFTWARE contains features that allow iolo and/or third parties to collect data from, control, and/or monitor computers and devices running or interacting with the SOFTWARE in order to prevent unlicensed or illegal use of the SOFTWARE."

I wonder who these "third parties" might be, that I would give control and monitoring rights to my computer? What data would they be collecting? I would think that Iolo could handle this themselves, or at least name these "third parties".
I could not bring myself to accept the license agreement, with that clause in there, it is too big of a security risk for me.
Thank you, Michelle, you do come up with some very interesting programs, and offers.
Have a good one,
Barry

Michelle,

Thanks for the heads-up! I use another product for this but, I've always wanted to use/try this because of a friends recommendation. I took the time to put all the links together below for anyone else that may not know what this is or how to get it.

Dwnld and Registration:
Free registration sent via email which includes a direct dwnld link for 'System Mechanic 6'. (Michelle's link from above).

Iolo 'System Mechanic 6' developers direct dwnld page (US). Clicking links on this page will start the dwnld. To replace version 6 archive installer if you don't need registration or your's is corrupt etc.
Computer Active: alternate dwnld site (UK). (Thank VampireRat for this link.)

Reviews and description:
PcWorld review.
Computer Active review.

Enjoy... :)

The uninstall utility works fine for me. I uninstalled Norton Security Scan with it.

Windows XP Home Edition SP 2
512 mb ram
Mcafee SecurityCenter Msn (I think this is actually Mcafee Virusscan Plus but msns version)
128 mb ati radeon 9200 graphics card (pretty old graphics card)

Maybe it's something you have running, I would look in the help files and if you can't find the answer to your problem I would contact iolo support. They probably will help you being if you like the software you might be a potential customer.

http://www.iolo.com/customercare/technicalsupport.aspx

Not to complain but I started using it but I already seem to have found a bug. The uninstall software tool abruptly closes while querying the uninstall list. This happened several times.

No problem Lee and everyone else. If I see something that I think will be of use to someone I always pass it along, no one owes me anything. I hope no one has any problems with it and you like it.

Michelle

Ordinary version for me is better as it does not have antivirus.

Not received my activation yet (1 hour on) I will try via my isp email, might be better.

Tried my isp account and got serial and username, so hotmail must not be liked.

Seems like you need a big hug from us all Michelle.

Yes, that's the thing before the form I think. But you asked for the form. I hope you like it, I always wanted to get system mechanic free. There are a couple things I really like about it. You now can run chkdsk without scheduling it and you can run in within windows. You can also stop programs from autostarting forever.

I hope you like it, seems to be running fine for me. Although I did have some problems running total care, it never got finished and it looked like it wasn't going any further so I ran the tools individually.

Thanks, must have finished as not working anymore.

However on searching I found this and it seems to work.

http://www.iolo.com/shoppingcart.cfm?itemid=677&pid=584B5008-2E1A-4483-A2BC-D3DA7F5208DF

https://secure.iolo.com/checkout.cfm

The form I filled out.

The button below will direct you through the necessary steps to receive your free serial number and user ID which may be used to activate your product.
** Please note that no credit card number or payment is required.

Whats the link to fill in a form to receive this key please Michelle?

I found system mechanic free with the yahoo search engine, most of my findings I find through yahoo search.

http://iolo.com/customercare/kbarticle.aspx?id=KBA-01366

You can download 6 right from iolo, like I did.

I'm glad iolo gave System Mechanic away free, one of the best giveaways of software I ever have recieved. I am glad you all like.

Note: I had some problems when I gave them my yahoo e-mail address. I never got the key, so make sure you use another address besides yahoo.

Thanks Michelle ! (& Moderators - LOL)

It great to see people helping each other instead of wasting time posting "Im first, Im first, Im soo coool". Sorry, couldn't help myself.

That sort of nonsense gets removed from the forums. (It's what you call "Moderation").
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Hello,

The download link is in the email they send you. Notice though that this is not the pro version, so don't expect all the features of SM.

It great to see people helping each other instead of wasting time posting "Im first, Im first, Im soo coool". Sorry, couldn't help myself.

This is a great find and I want to thank you for taking the time to inform us about this great deal Michelle.

Ciao,

-Mario