Customer Reviews

On-Track System Suite 4.0

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Initially when I was looking for something to protect my computer, I looked at the big names like McAfee and Symantec, but after pricing out what they were offering compared to Ontrack, Ontrack was by far the cheapest, and easiest to install and use. I like the full blown suite, rather than the piece meal approach. I have pretty much used everything (personal firewall, disk defrag, recovery disk), and I like the one-click features (well almost one-click). The only thing I find annoying is the fact that you have to click through (about 4 or 5 clicks -- means you cannot leave it unattended) the updates. I wish it could also be one click.

If you are looking for a set of utilities to use for your personal computer, I would recommend looking into this package as well.

I've used Norton Utilities as well as Ontrack's System Suite (and their Fix-It Utilities), and have found Ontrack's product much more reliable and have also got better results from it. One part which I haven't yet installed is the firewall, NetDefense, primarily because I'm happy with ZoneAlarm. I was, however, curious about Ontrack's VirusScanner, as I hadn't read much about it. Turns out it's provided by Trend Micro, makers of PC-Cillin. After trying Mcafee's viruscan and trashing two machines with it, I ran Norton AV 2002 next to Ontrack's Suite, and found that Ontrack recognized two viruses that NAV didn't. I already had these viruses stored away, and while it's not a very extensive test, it gave me confidence in its virus-detecting ability.

RegEdit is one tool in this suite that has proven itself to me over and over again, both on Win2000 and a slower machine using Win98SE. After deleting useless links and such from the registry of an older machine, I got almost twice the speed from it.

Jet Defrag does its job well, much faster than Microsoft's defrag tool, but you'd do well to heed Ontrack's warning to run system/disk check first.

EasyRecovery (lite edition) is one tool that will make you want more; it allows the recovery of up to 50 files in this edition -- The full-blown EasyRecovery Pro goes for around $.... And considering the results I've had, it's worth it. I've recovered files from formatted drives, deleted files, and everything except for full-formatted floppies and "erased" files (using a disk-erase utility). This edition saved me from losing valuable work on two Zip disks that were trashed on the network where I was going to school.

Overall, I gave the suite four stars because, like another reviewer, the updating routine is a major pain! On Win2000, it only took one reboot, but on Win98 it took no less than FIVE REBOOTS! C'mon, guys; there's got to be a better way! Once installed, however, it uses less system resources than it's predecessor and considerably less resources than its competition. For the price, it's more than worth it.

After buying versions of Norton Systemworks including the 2002 version, I noticed that this package got a much higher rating than Norton Systemworks in a review by PC Magazine. So I decided to give it a try because some of the Norton utilities that I liked are not available to WinXP users. The jewel of the Ontrack Suite is a program called Registry Fixer. It finds and safely fixes (with the user's approval) many more potential problems than Norton WinDoctor. And the Ontrack Cleanup programs also do a much better job than Norton Cleansweep at finding and safely deleting many unneeded files. The first time you run the Registry Fixer or Cleanup, you'll be amazed at how many potential registry issues and deletable files are detected (even if you run these programs immediately after running the comparable Norton Systemworks programs). Norton dominates the market so much that I think they've gotten complacent (maybe arrogant) about keeping at the cutting edge in developing system utilities for Windows XP. All in all, when comparing Norton Systemworks and Ontrack System Suite 4, I think only the Norton Antivirus component and the Norton Speed Disk component are superior to the comparable programs in the Ontrack suite. If you're looking for a powerful set of tools to stablize and clean up your system, then I recommend this one without hesitation. And if you're a Windows XP user, then this suite offers so much more than Norton 2002.

After a disappointing "affair" with Norton System works, I went looking for a better system to protect my new computer (Intel Pent.4 at 2.0, 40 Gig,18" Flat panel LCD monitor etc).With an entirely new computer system, I didn't want to have any more problems like I experienced with Norton System Works: absolutely impossible to get any support for the product when you encounter a problem -- Symantec throws up an endless number of screens for you to keep clking, clking, clking until you are weary and just throw up your hands and give up -- I mean it if you have ever tried to get technical support from their o/l support; there is no way to reach Symantec with a simple phone call.
I purchased On-Track based upon the favorable reviews I saw in Amazon and I was just delighted with it. After having a problem with some of the options of their system suite, I called the toll free # -- good for 1 yr of free support!!, yes that's right, I entire yr FREE-- and was able to speak to a technician who answered my question and I didn't feel rushed, like he to get on to the next call.
While looking at Amazon software, I noticed the ON-Track System Suite and checked it out by reading the customer reviews which were quite favorable, so I bought the On-Track system Suite. It came today and includes a firewall as part of the system.
My advice: forget about Norton and buy On-Track. You will be just as delighted as I have been.

All other utility programs (Norton System Works 2002, System Mechanic v.3.7h, and Wincleaner)I have used were either unstable, unsafe, or ineffective. But Ontrack System Suite 4.0 has been very effective and safe.

1. It has wide array of programs that are indeed helpful and useful. You also have a freedom choose which programs you want to install. I choose not to install Anti-Virus and Firewall programs, because I already have them.
2. It has been safe. All other utility programs have caused crash on my XP and Win 2000. Ontrack safely cleans and fixes the system. Other programs have messed up MS Office registry and conflicts with cable modems.
3. It has been stable. Norton is known for slowing down your system, but Ontrack does not.
4. It does what it promises and has very helpful documentations. It has cleansed registry and unnecessary files safely and gives me the control over my hardwares and diagnoses the problem. With it, my system is running optimally.

For me, I am sold on System Suite 4.0.

As a pc support tech, I have both products, Norton Systemworks pro AND Vcom systemsuite.

Systemsuite almost always finds A LOT more registry and startup problems that norton's Windoctor ever could.

On the other hand, systemsuite's Jetdefrag utility will sometimes stop, due to finding a hard drive error, telling you to run CHKDSK /F.
You would think that systemsuite's own diskfixer would do the same thing as CHKDSK, but that is NOT the case.
Diskfixer will tell you that ALL IS WELL.
But you go to run Jetdefrag and the drive error rears it's ugly head again.
So you really do have to run CHKDSK to fix any serious hard drive errors, when using systemsuite.

Whereas Norton's disk doctor seems to work EXACTLY the same as CHKDSK does.

As for scheduling drive defragging, sysytemsuite lets you select
ALL or ANY of the drives, on one screen.

Norton's defrag let's you pick a single drive OR you have to use the scheduler, in order to defrag multiple drives at one time.

I suggest having BOTH utility packages in your arsonal.

I like it. I like it a lot. After using my old Norton System Works 2001 to clean up my computer, I installed Windows XP Pro. NSW 2001 will not work with XP, so I was faced with upgrading or going for something completely different. I read several reviews of the Ontrack product and none of them were less than glowing in their writeups. So I took the leap.

My experience has been that it was easy to install, works perfectly with Win XP Pro, and provides a complete group of utilities that do a complete job. The only real problem I have encountered has been with the NetDefense firewall. As with many other firewalls, the first time it sees an attempt to get onto the Internet from your system it will ask you if you want it to allow the connection to be made. I have told it yes, and allow any future connection attempts, on many of my products. All have worked fine except for my Netscape 6.2 web browser. The only way I can get it to connect is to disable NetDefense. Hopefully, I will find a fix, but this problem keeps me from making this review a five star rave.

AND it does it well! The firewall is by Sygate, the Antivirus is by Trend (FREE AV updates! - At least I've never been asked for any sort of subscription fee). Auto update works well. All utilities First Rate. Very Good Customer service as well.

I had two related issues, Cust service wise. The first was I had a problem with the firewall interfering with Musicmatch Jukebox. I emailed them about it and got a nice (and polite) email back stating they were aware of the issue but it was a known compatibility issue between Sygate & MMJB but they (VCom) felt that they were sticking with Sygate because of the level of protection it provides.

I felt they understood my concern but that they felt the level of protection would be compromised by resolving it.(The MMJB people were much less polite -So I found a new media player. Good media players are easier to find than reliable utilities.)

The second issue was related to the above. In the course of tracking down the problems with MMJB I had deleted most of SystemSuite4. So when I tried to reinstall the complete software package, it wouldn't load. My CD disk was corrupted or something. Again I contacted them, and 2 days later I had authorization to download a new copy. No hassle - No run around.

Have you heard the one about the software company that released an update in May, pulled it because it was [messing]-up everyone's system and then put it back out in June...and then it [messed]-up mine??? SystemSuite 4.0 isn't perfect but, with the exception of Merlin's Buyer's Book and Snipe, my system is feeling much better now. Perhaps it's not as high tech as SystemWorks, but it doesn't do weird things to my e-mail server, stopping downloads and requiring me to visit the server DAILY to delete the plugged-up mail. And it doesn't make boot times over five minutes! Peter, you should get off your yacht and go see what Symantec is doing to your good name. At least you could ask them what they are doing to fix the problem, besides telling users to uninstall, reinstall and update the product up to, but not including, the recent update. Based on my own experience, SKIP AT LEAST THE LAST TWO OR THREE NORTON UPDATES...ACTUALLY, SKIP SYSTEMWRECK 2003 ALTOGHER AND BUY SYSTEMSUITE 4.0.

THIS IS THE BEST AND EASIEST SOFTWARE TO USE WITH 7 UTILITIES BUILT INTO ONE PROGRAM(LESS ROOM TAKEN ON YOUR HARD DRIVE)...VERY FAST RUNNING...EXCELLENT GRAPHICS....SO EASY THE BEGINNER COULD USE YET HAS FEATURES ONLY AN ADVANCED USER WOULD EVEN WANT TO ATTEMPT TO USE...AWESOME ..MY DAD GOT ME STARTED WITH THEIR ORIG. VERSION AND I HAVE STAYED WITH IT FOR YEARS ...NO LONGER NEED SYSTEM TOOLS FOR WINDOWS WITH THIS THING..NO MORE SCAN DISC..MTCE. WIZARD ETC...