Customer Reviews

System Mechanic Professional - Up to 3 PCs

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

I purchased version 7 Pro in early May '08, because of the special pricing and because it had a three PC license. I installed it on my primary machine - a Dell desktop running Windows Vista. It installed fine but I noticed the virus database was marked as outdated. I tried to do an update, and went through the motions - the program indicating that it had updated, but afterward still indicated that the database was over 400 days old (how do you get that outdated on a fresh install)!
I contacted Iolo and they told me to uninstall and re-install, which I attempted. This created another problem. I had a prior version of the included Search and Recover 4.0 already installed on my system, so I did not install this component. I was unable to re-install the SM Pro as long as this program was there. The problem was that I couldn't uninstall S&R using the uninstall on my machine.
I have been in constant contact with tech support but they have only sent links to FAQ's that I have already read. I even got a link for a free upgrade to version 8 but it wouldn't install either. I finally found a means to do a "clean uninstall" via registry editing. This also did not remove the iolo services from my machine. I found a tool from Microsoft to disable these two services. I now had a "clean" machine. I installed SM 8 Pro with no problems - until I tried to run it. None of the applications would work - they needed the ioloSystemService running. I click on the "start service" link under the advanced button of the service tab of task manager, but neither service will start (the other is called "ioloFileInfoList").
I have been continually contacting Iolo tech support with my findings and was upgraded on June 25th to their "senior tech staff". Since then I have not heard from tech support, even though I have continued sending information, requested support, opened new cases, etc. - no word from them.
As part of my experimentation, I installed version 7 on my laptop (running XP) and don't seem to be experiencing any issues. However, my laptop is a backup machine that I rarely use, so it is not a good indicator of how well the program runs.
All in all, I cannot recommend this program. It has definite issues under Vista, it is almost impossible to remove all vestiges of the program once installed, and their tech support is abysmal. I gave Iolo notice that if I don't get any more than an automated response to my last support request, I will be demanding a full refund. The program had great reviews, but if it doesn't work, then it's worthless.

This product is not good for the "experts" as they can do
most everything this product does manually, and perhaps they
do it using a safer approach.

This product is absolutely inappropriate for the novices and
beginners: the installation process will install everything
(e.g., main tools, firewall, etc), automates many of the
tasks, and essentially will take over, regularly
carrying tasks that are unnecessary, CPU-demanding,
and can cause many error prompts. Given the poor (and
essentially non-existing) customer services, the beginner user
will be on his/her own to uninstall, disable, or to live
with the annoying, and sometimes scary responses (e.g.,
indicators showing absolutely poor "health", "security"
and "overall" status).

Perhaps reasonably experienced users can selectively
install and run certain tasks, and take appropriate
precautions (e.g., do a backup of registry before running
the registry cleaner).

However there is a MAJOR problem with the above: if you
plan to do the above during a convenient time (e.g., when
you do not have access to the Internet and would like to do
some PC clean up and maintenance), you are out of luck as
you will get the following message:

"System Mechanic Professional was unable to connect to the
Internet. System Mechanic Professional must validate its
subscription information by communicating with iolo.com
over the Internet. Typical reason for this include the
following: A third-party firewall or Internet security
blocked ..."

In other words, you will have to have access to the
Internet in order to run this software. That is absolutely
unacceptable. Consider if your other software (e.g.,
Office, Adobe tools, editors, etc) would require the same.

Listen IOLO and System Mechanic "Professionals": If
your tools require Internet connection to work all
the time (i.e., after activation/registration), please
boldly inform the customer. It is rather unintelligent
to require access to Internet once the software has
been registered and activated (as IOLO requires both
of these); it renders the tool worthless.

Minor: every time I launched my version of System Mechanic
Professional (version 8.5.1), it showed the following
"Hints and Tips Today": Send System Mechanic to a friend:
Send a Gift Now.
~

This product was purchased on Aug 31st, 2008 to be installed on a brand new HP Pavilion TX2510US notebook purchased on Aug 21st, 2008. Like a fool I bought this product again from iolo technologies on another laptop and it destroyed the Operating System. Thinking they would have fixed the bugs on System Mechanic Pro I figured I'd give this company another chance. Big Big mistake! Upon reboot after install the software corrupted my Windows Vista boot sector, so bad that I am now unable to even do an F11 System Restore. Spent over an hour with HP live support chat to get this fixed (no resolve). Iolo Technologies falsely advertises in the package they have 24 hour support (lies, lies, lies!) Shame on Iolo for misleading the consumer into believing when their product destroys any computer system there will be a technician to assist. Called the number which is not toll free and went on their website. All you will get is a recording on the number after business hours, holidays and weekends!!!! On the website which is allegedly the 24 hour support, all you get is a link to create a trouble ticket and they will get back to you later!!!!

If you value using your system, DO NOT PURCHASE IOLO'S SYSTEM MECHANIC PRODUCT, it will destroy your Windows Vista Operating System!!! I now have a $1,099.99 doorstop thanks to Iolo Technologies. To even make matters worse, I needed this system for a business trip the day after Labor Day. A $40.00 purchase destroyed my HP Pavilion Notebook!!!!!!!

Arch Yeomans

System Mechanic (Pro) is defective in manifold ways, and is worse than
installing a virus on your computer.

Installation can take 6 hours, most spent on "checking for updates". As soon as System Mechanic is installed, it prompts you to download "important updates". When you try, the Update Manager locks you out of using your computer for 8-20 hours; usually it reaches 40% of the update in 8 hours, and in 10 additional hours is still at 40% (fast computer, fast DSL). Stop the process, start it again, hoping that the update will resume where it left of -- surprise: back to 0%. What is more, the Update Manager disconnects your internet connection until you restart your computer.

Iolo's technical support (no WATS; you pay) takes 1/2 hour waiting for a tech to come on, he only refers you to their on-line documents, which do not help at all. Email Iolo; if you get any answer, it's a week later.

I have reasons to doubt that the product performs as promised, particularly on keeping the Windows registry in order. I do not trust System Mechanic, particularly as its own Update Manager is so flaky. Really crazy: in the middle of automatically updating its virus definitions, System Mechanic prompts you to restart your computer.

I will never purchase another Iolo product.

I've bounced around between different system suites that claimed to do it all. All I wanted was a program to do everything without me having to remember. System Mechanics (SM) 8 is it. You can let it do it's thing; or you can configure it to your liking. I have XP, and SM8 does a good job. Now I am not a power user, or computer savvy, as long as the computer doesn't crash or blow up, that's fine. Overall everything is running a bit faster. I read an article saying the antivirus and firewall weren't the best; but you can run your own stand alone programs. I will stay with SM8's firewall/antivirus. For people like me who want to "set it and forget it," it is perfect. Chow

This is the best PC tune up I have seen on the market. I have it on my Desktop which has Windows XP and it is working great. Way better that Norton.

I couldn't wait to install it on my laptop which has Windows Vista Ultimate 64 Bit.

I put the disk in to install it and I got a popup that said
"This program is not compatible with 64 bit systems as this time." :(

Well I guess I will have to get something else for my laptop for now.

If it had worked on my laptop I would have given it 5 stars.


Venus
Illinois

I purchased the product this month (Nov. 2008). When trying to install I kept getting a pop-up error message saying that I first had to uninstall Spyware Doctor. Spyware Doctor was uninstalled from my computer almost a year ago. Cleaned the registry and did everything else that I could think of; no luck. There was a help page that offered some "bypass" proceedures, but none of them worked. Tried the email tech support route and finally received a reply that did not even apply to my problem. Fortunately, I got my money back. Please don't waste your money.

Not a worry with System Mechanic Pro 10.5--not even Windows 7, despite what the lowest rating user said about its not working with Vista 7. Everyone knows Vista was a dog. The management of registers and clutter keeps my kennel absolutely spotless. I can't comment on the virus protection: I still use Norton 360, but there are no conflicts that I've seen. Watch for some vendors to be selling out Version 8. The best result is to buy directly from Iolo--and the service is super. By the way, it does cover all laptop, not just 3. I use it on 5 at the moment.

I started using System Mechanic about ten years ago, eventually upgrading to System Mechanic Pro. During this time I have used it on Win95, Win2000, WinXP, Win-Vista and Win-7. I even used it on Win-Me. I've used it to repair a number of PC's with serious problems, such as blue wall of death, bloated registry, improper installs/uninstalls, general clean-up and numerous other repair/maintenance tasks. A few times I tried products from other vendors but found myself coming back to System Mechanic Pro.

The versatility to use automated tasks as well as individual tools is very helpful. After a while one discovers the specific issues that arise time and again one the PC they use. So, you can just fix what needs to be fixed and leave the full maintenance for the time when your computer is inactive. The virus protection is one of the best I've used and it does not put a on the background processing so your regular tasks don't slow down.

I've noticed that some people have experienced problems in installation or configuration. I have experienced minimal problems and when I've had problems, Iolo has been very responsive.

The best part is that with one program suite, you can do a multiple number of maintenance or problem solving so you don't have to buy different utilities for different tasks.

I recommend it to both novice and experienced users.

I installed a pro version of this in early 2009 and it worked well, until they started adding more and more tools then added the virus protection. You have no choice they just install it when you open the program and you have no choice to option out, your forced to use it, after about $50 in calls to their tech support I was ready to reformat the hard drive just to rid my computer of it. Before all the problems started I had even paid a year in advance at a special savings and they refused to give me credit saying you must cancel within 30 days of paying, even though that service did not start for another 9 months, after another 50$ in calls I did manage to get a 19$ refund, call me stupid.

Some how I did (call it luck) get in touch with someone in their tech support unit that understood and cared about helping a dissatisfied confused user, staying on the phone with him over 2 hours he did help me resolve the problems one by one, since then they have made other changes but I don't use it and will not renew the sub when it expires.

Time was it was a very good program but IMO they just added too many tools to a utility that was good a managing the register and memory. I have been working in computers before the PC's and have never found a Tech Support System, in as disarray and sick as what they call their tech support, it is so bad they don't even have a supervisor, and you can't ever get the tech who gave you the last bad advice.

I saved many pages of instructions they emailed me on how to solve my problem and each has different instructions, none are in any organized order, as if written by a 4th grader. I saved these to include in my next book or paper on how not to write a technical white paper. This was not a good experience, but it is one for the record book.

Try at your own risk and as it goes remember..;.....Let the buyer beware..you are on you own.

Alton Owens