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Norton Utilities 2002

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PCQ Bureau
New Update

PC users today need a user-friendly suite of troubleshooting applications. We checked out the latest release from Symantec, the Norton Utilities 2002. Compared to the previous version, we could not any visible improvement or additional features. So existing users of Windows will not really need to upgrade. However, if you are either buying a new PC, or upgrading your existing OS to Windows XP, you might need this version.

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Optimize performance

Speed Disk optimizes your hard drive performance by defragmenting it. While Windows comes with its own disk defrag utility, Norton’s Speed Disk is visibly faster. Also, while Windows defrag utility can only defrag the file system, Speed Disk also defrags the swap

file.

Find and fix problems

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NORTON UTILITIES 2002



Price: Rs 2,700


Meant for: Any Windows desktop PC


Features: Support Windows XP; Utilities to optimize performance, find and fix problems, and do system maintenance.


Pros: Easy to use; Speed Disk is very useful. 


Cons: No visible improvements over the previous release; WinDoctor may be too technical for novice users; 


Contact: Symantec. Tel: 022-5960238. Suite # 801, Sentech Centrako, MMTC Building, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai 400051
www.symantec.com



E-mail: jitendrag@techpacindia.com





Here we have four utilities, one being Norton System Doctor, which is a comprehensive collection of sensors to monitor your PC’s health. It’s similar to the Performance Monitor in Windows NT, 2000, and XP, but is easier to use. You can have real-time sensors for RAM, pagefile, CPU usage, network speed, and various other sub-aspects of these parameters. Alarms can also be set for these system resources. This ensures smooth functioning of all applications running on your PC. The utility can be conveniently docked on your

desktop.

The UnErase Wizard is meant to recover files you might have accidentally deleted from the DOS-prompt. However, for files that are deleted from the system (say the desktop) and emptied from the Recycle Bin cannot be recovered.

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Norton Disk Doctor is akin to the Windows Scandisk. It checks for errors in partition table, file system, file data and free space. This is especially useful after a bad Windows shutdown. Norton WinDoctor is a tool to diagnose and repair problems with the operating system and installed applications. This essentially checks for invalid entries in the Windows registry components, program registry and shortcuts information. Any discrepancies or errors are reported and the user is given the option to repair them automatically, or manually by correcting the entry. In case you run into trouble after doing a repair with WinDoctor, there’s an undo option. However, this only allows you to undo problems one by one. There’s no option to select multiple entries to undo. We also found that most of these entries can be a bit technical for novice users.

System maintenance

This section has the System information and Wipe utilities. The first is similar to the Windows System information applet, in that it gives information about various PC components. It’s divided it into eight categories, making it easy to navigate. The Wipe utility is like a shredder that completely wipes off data you want eliminated, beyond recovery.

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Finally, there’s the LiveUpdate utility, which makes it easier to keep your software up-to-date with the latest patches or additions from Norton.

Overall, some of the utilities like Speed Disk, in the package are very useful, while others can be lived without. It can be used by any user, be it home or office.

Ashish Sharma at PCQ Labs

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