Computers Today, November 1-15, 1999, Hands On; All the System Cures

For long, Norton Utilities has been the leading file recovery, disk repair, and system diagnostic utility. SystemWorks 2000 brings together new versions of all such utilities. The integrated suite comprises Norton Utilities for Windows 95/98 as well as Norton AntiVirus, Norton CrashGuard, Norton CleanSweep and Norton Web Services.

There's "more" in the form of a bonus pack that includes WinFax Basic Edition, Symantec Visual Page, Zip-It, Norton Secret Stuff, and either the Norton 2000 BIOS test and fix (included with the Standard version) or Norton Ghost (included with the Professional version). All programs and tools can be launched directly, and the single option button provides access to one-stop-configuration for everything. Given the range of utilities, installation was not only simple, but routine.

Runs on: PC with Intel 486sx or higher processor; 16 MB RAM; Windows 95/98; and a CD-ROM drive
Distributors: Godrej Pacific Technology Ltd, Mumbai
Phone 5182431
Fax 5170415
Price: Rs 4,590 for Standard edition, Rs 5,190 for Profesional edition.

Let's examine each of the tools. Norton Utilities version 4.5 brings with it unrivalled detection, repair and prevention of the most common software and hardware problems. Norton System Check runs an entire battery of tests with a single click, while Norton Zip Rescue saves rescue information so that you can restore your custom Windows settings after a crash. One does not have to make separate rescue disk sets for anti virus and diagnostics.

Norton AntiVirus is no doubt one the leading anti-virus packages. The new version combines foreground scanning, scheduling, reports, and status messages within the suite window, so users do not have to click through a dozen windows to ensure protection. A notable feature here is the new E-mail Protection, which works by actually acting as a proxy server between your email programs and your ISP's mail servers, and checking your email messages and attachments for viruses even before they are written to your drive.

Though we ran Norton Crashguard a couple of times, we were disappointed to find that it did not "unfreeze" the applications that had frozen. Instead, we were forced to reboot the system. CleanSweep which used to be a Quarterdeck product, has now got a convenient interface. The Unistall Wizard now works for both backed up apps and "cleaned" files.

Norton Web Services allows users to log onto the Symantec Web site and keep systems and applications up to date. It is user-friendly, as it scans the system to see what software is installed and if there are updates and service releases available that have not been installed. It does the same with bug fixes and virus definitions. However, the service is free for only six months-after which one has to renew subscription for a monthly fee.

The added bonus pack includes Remove-IT 98, a file cleanup utility, while visual page is an HTML editor. WinFax Basic edition is limited version of WinFax Pro-only simple faxing of documents possible here.

The lasting impression one cherishes of SystemWorks 2000 is the convenience and security. One can not only selectively disable specific components within the core tools but also set the application to different "levels" of protection. "Full Time Automatic Protection" runs all of background monitors possible. "Manual Protection" runs only the anti-virus software and schedules the execution of diagnostic software for after-hours. The package tries to please all users and will succeed.