Messages

1

Feedback & Suggestions / Re: Is The Forum Open to New Members?

« on: August 09, 2025, 09:51:41 am »

@mecanicogolf:

The Tweaking.com website is alive.  I did not say that it wasn't.  I did say that there is no evidence to suggest that the Windows Repair program is being kept updated, so therefore, in my opinion, it is dangerous to use it on Windows 11 computers, and it could be dangerous for those running Window 10 with current updates.  Windows updates are constantly modifying how those versions of Windows function, so any repair program has to be constantly updated to be safe to use.  There are reports on other Forums from users who ran into serious issues using Windows Repair on those two versions of Windows.

When Shane was with the company, he was issuing one or two updates per month to keep Windows Repair working properly and safely.  From what I know, the new owner(s) has/have not updated Windows Repair since Shane a year and a half ago.  Draw your own conclusions!  The new company still have free and paid versions available for download on the Tweaking.com website.

Perhaps a representative of the new owner(s) would comment here, on their own Forums, to end the speculation and explain the true state of the  Windows Repair program and whether it is still safe to use . . .

Perhaps that representative would also inform us when their Forums will be accepting new members . . .  I am speculating that they don't want new members complaining about possible issues with the Windows Repair program, so the Forums are almost totally locked down, and only us old-timers can still post here, . . . for now.  There has not been a new member since September 2023, yet these Forums are drawing a lot of guests 24/7, based on the stats shown on the main Forum page.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

2

Feedback & Suggestions / Re: Is The Forum Open to New Members?

« on: August 06, 2025, 09:39:55 am »

Tom,

Thanks for your reply.  Yes, you are still listed as a "Global Moderator."  Just now I checked, and the site has 6,376 Guests, and one member (me).  Some of those guests will be bots, but I think the issue is that the Forums seem to locked down somehow, and no one new can join.

I think we can post because we are old-timers.  You should check with the new owners of Tweaking.  Apparently, they have little to no interest in these Forums.  The last new member was back in September 2023, almost two years ago.

Maybe the new owners don't want to open the Forums for the barrage of complaints that might result . . .  Just speculating.

Do you know whether your Moderator authorities are intact?  Have you checked?

In the first part of the year, someone was occasionally unlocking the Forum for a week or so at a time, and it flooded spam.  Then, periodically, the spam would be gone, and Forums locked down again.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

3

Feedback & Suggestions / Re: Is The Forum Open to New Members?

« on: August 05, 2025, 10:02:23 am »

Tom,

Thanks for the reply.  I guess the Forums are still without an active Moderator, apparently abandoned like Windows Repair.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

4

Feedback & Suggestions / Is The Forum Open to New Members?

« on: August 03, 2025, 09:59:59 am »

@Boggin

According to the stats, Robin ROTHS was the last member to join these Forums, back in September 2023.  When I visit, I see lots of guests, but no members logged in, except me.

Is the Forum accepting new members?

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

5

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Windows Repair somtimes just crashes and all files are gone

« on: July 31, 2025, 01:09:58 pm »

Tom,

Always pleasure!  I hope to see more of you in these parts!

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

6

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Windows Repair somtimes just crashes and all files are gone

« on: July 30, 2025, 10:04:32 am »

Tom,

Thank you for your reply.  You are most welcome for my words.  I was always impressed by the way you conducted business on the Forums during your tenure.  Your absence was sorely missed!!!

Here is the link to Shane's new site and product (I purchased a Pro license): https://sirsoft.io/.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

7

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Windows Repair somtimes just crashes and all files are gone

« on: July 28, 2025, 09:26:31 am »

Tom,

Thank you for your reply.  Shane has been gone for about a year and a half.  He has a new website and a new product.  He has no role in Tweaking.com whatsoever.  He sold out his last interest in the company some time ago.

Since you have been gone, as you know, this Forum went to the dogs.  You were such a great Moderator: fair, patient, but firm.  You were also always on top of things.  Spammers did not last long here with you as the Moderator.

Even though I no longer use Windows Repair, I have still been visiting to see how it would turn out.  I too got banned, for reasons unknown, when I posted about the "The Spammers Taking Over."  It took six weeks, but I finally managed to get unbanned by the new owners.  I think one of those spam removal bots scooped up my post and just banned me, though the post remained, locked.  You can still see my post in the General Computer Support Forum, top of the list.

In any event, I hope that the new owners fully reinstate you, and recognize what an asset you were/are.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

8

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Windows Repair somtimes just crashes and all files are gone

« on: July 27, 2025, 09:50:13 am »

Tom,

Welcome back!  I haven't seen you around in ages.  This was a great Forum when you were administering it.  I hope that you are back to work here!

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

9

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Windows Repair somtimes just crashes and all files are gone

« on: July 25, 2025, 12:02:17 pm »

@LarsErikOsterud,

Whether the Windows Repair program is being kept current is a dubious concept.  There are reports in other Forums of Windows Repair malfunctioning with Windows 11.  Shane CROFT, the developer of Windows Repair, and other Tweaking utilities left the company a year and a half ago, and sold out his interest in the company.

I am not aware of any Windows Repair updates having been issued since Shane's departure.  I own licenses for two Pro versions, but I uninstalled it from both of my Windows 11 computers.  I don't trust it.  Microsoft is changing Windows 11 constantly, so to be effective, Windows Repair would have be kept current.  When Shane was with Tweaking, Windows Repair was getting one or two updates per month.

I would not even trust it for Windows 10, since it too has changed in the last 18 months.  Use it at your own risk.  You can try contacting the Support here, but my information is that they are not responding.

This is just my opinion.  Stay safe in cyberspace.  Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

10

General Computer Support / Spammers Are Taking Over This Forum

« on: September 17, 2023, 08:01:42 am »

@Boggin.  Spammers are taking over.  Time to take out the garbage! 

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

11

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Running Windows Repair After Installation

« on: September 17, 2023, 07:58:57 am »

You are running an old version of Windows Repair.  The current version is 4.14.1 and is available at BleepingComputer.com.  Please update your software and see if the error persists.

Good luck, and have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

12

General Computer Support / Re: System Restore or Registry Backup Restore?

« on: February 06, 2022, 09:52:35 am »

@mecanicogolf:

As Tom has stated, Restore Points are the preferred option.  A registry backup just backs up your registry, nothing more.  A System Restore Point includes a registry backup, important Windows files, as well as your program files, so if something borks your computer, you can restore it to a previous point in time.  A System Restore Point does not include your personal data files (documents, music, video, photos).  You might want to check out this link for more information: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-restore-point-2625988.

I hope this helps.  Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

13

General Computer Support / Re: Exit message in Gmail

« on: November 06, 2020, 08:49:26 am »

I just received that same Gmail exit message using Chrome.  I have never seen it before.  I just clicked "Leave" and everything worked fine.  Might be a bug in the newest version of Chrome or in the Gmail app itself.  I am not concerned.  A lot of these glitches get quietly resolved.

Have a great weekend.

Regards,
-Phil

14

General Computer Support / Re: Attached document

« on: June 22, 2020, 10:25:29 am »

It is not clear from your email if you tried saving the attachment from the gmail email, and then closed your browser, launched Adobe, and then tried to open the newly saved .pdf file.

I have seen instances when you cannot just double-click the attachment and it opens in Adobe.  My next step is always to take the web browser and possible file locks out of the equation.

Just a suggestion.  Have a great day, and good luck.

Regards,
-Phil

15

General Computer Support / Re: CBS Catalog Missing...

« on: November 21, 2019, 08:00:39 am »

tmmonaco:

I don't want to butt in, but if I were you, I would take Tom's advice and head over to the Sysnative Forums.  They have a dedicated Forum, with trained experts, to deal specifically with these kinds of issues.

Good luck and have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

16

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Tweaking Com Startup Error Version 4.6.1

« on: November 14, 2019, 03:56:53 am »

Tom:

I am getting the same error as the OP.  I upgraded to Build 1909 two days ago.  I can proceed into WRAIO Pro by dismissing the error box and it appears to work.  Shane has obviously anticipated some registry format changes in Build 1909 and does not want people with Build 1909 running registry repairs so he is giving Build 1909 customers fair warning.  I expect that he will have a new release out to address that issue.

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

17

General Computer Support / Re: MSE keeps shutting down automatically... "Won't restart automatically"

« on: May 09, 2018, 04:42:17 am »

Rick:

I don't want to hijack your thread.  I only want to emphasize what Boggin has already advised you: don't use Combofix unless it is absolutely required, and then only under supervision.  Please see this link for more information about the dangers of running Combofix, which is no longer being maintained.

I am a Malware Response Instructor over at Bleeping Computer.  I have seen computers damaged, and, in all of the computers that I have disinfected from malware, I have never found it necessary to run Combofix.  It is a very powerful program, and now that is not being maintained, the more recent Windows updates for Windows 7 and before (it is not compatible for Windows 8 and 10) could cause all kinds of unanticipated problems.  I am suspicious that Combofix might have caused your issues.

You could always open a topic at Bleeping Computer in the Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Logs Forum and request that your computer be checked for malware.  Please follow the instructions in this topic before posting there.

If you do decide to seek help, please let Boggin know that you have gone there for assistance.

Have a great day, and good luck with getting your MSE working again.

Regards,
-Phil

18

General Computer Support / Re: unspecified error occurred” with error code CHKDSK

« on: March 13, 2018, 05:51:19 am »

Tom:

It is not too hard on the CPU, but it does consume RAM, and it can interfere occasionally with a "Safely Eject" on an external drive that it has not finished indexing.

I have attached a Task Manager screen snip from my computer.

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

19

General Computer Support / Re: unspecified error occurred” with error code CHKDSK

« on: March 13, 2018, 03:24:09 am »

Tom:

The "Everything" software is a file search application for Windows.  Please see this link: https://www.voidtools.com/.

I run it on my own computers.  It is faster than the native Windows File Search, but it does continually index all file system changes to achieve its performance edge.

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

20

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Whats up.... :(

« on: January 09, 2018, 03:19:30 am »

Tom:

"MB" might equal Malwarebytes ?

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

21

General Computer Support / Re: Hacked for a couple of months...can't shake them off. Please help!

« on: November 21, 2017, 07:35:17 am »

Tom:

You're right that he should go to the main BC Virus Removal Forum.  More qualified malware removal specialists over there, and I am not sure that Tweaking.com really wants to start "competing" with BC, G2G, Malwarebytes, etc., all of whom have dedicated malware removal forums.  Even Sysnative has a dedicated "Security Arena" these days.

These Forums seem more focused on non-malware-related Windows issues, which is what your Windows Repair All-In-One program so effectively tackles.  I have had more than one of my BC virus removal clients resort to WRAIO once we got the malware out, so that it could repair the damage that had been caused by the malware infestation.

Have a great day.  We will try to take good care of chica.

Regards,
-Phil

22

General Computer Support / Re: Hacked for a couple of months...can't shake them off. Please help!

« on: November 21, 2017, 06:14:40 am »

chica:

I recommend that you follow Boggin's advice.  I am the Bleeping Computer Malware Response Team member who is also registered here, but there are many qualified malware removal specialists over at Bleeping Computer.  I will look for your post over there, if it has not already been taken by one of my Bleeping Computer MRT colleagues.  Please register at Bleeping Computer and then follow the instructions at this link to expedite receiving help.

Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

23

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Typo in Update Downloader

« on: September 01, 2017, 08:44:39 am »

Tom:

I hear you, but I take a different approach.  If I like a program and make use of it, I generally like to "donate".  For instance, I have paid for Window Repair AIO, but I have never had the need to run it on either of my computers.  I have users that I am assisting over at BC run the program.  I also pay for CCleaner and, in fact, most programs that I use on a regular basis.  It is a way of encouraging the persons who develop the software to continue their fine work.  Calibre doesn't offer a paid version, so I just donated to Kovid Goyal when I started using his program.

It is a lot work for folks like Shane to be constantly debugging, improving, and keeping up with MS and all the changes that the Microsoft foists on software developers.  One of my sons is a programmer, so perhaps that's where my "sensitivity" in this regard comes from.  Check out the CTO at HubStor - that's my son!

I am retired after 35 years in the RCMP, so for me weekends are just another day ...  Have a great one, any ways.

Regards,
-Phil

24

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Typo in Update Downloader

« on: September 01, 2017, 06:44:19 am »

Tom:

I use the paid versions of both Macrium Reflect (MR) and Easeus Todo Backup Home (ETBH).  I alternate the programs every Friday to back up my two computers.  In my line of volunteer work over at Bleeping Computer, I have seen too many lose so much!  You can never have too many backups.

The Windows "Backup and Restore" program is very limited, and what is the most critical deficiency in my view, is that you can't "verify" the image.  I didn't know that it was being discontinued.

I find MR to be faster than ETBH, but the GUI interface can be a little intimidating to novices, so for most folks who I help here in rural Cape Breton, who are largely senior citizens, I usually recommend ETBH, which is also cheaper than MR, if purchased.  ETBH also has a free version.  MR should be just fine for you.

Be sure to make the Win-PE emergency recovery disk, regardless of which program you choose, or even another imaging program.  I had a Windows update knock out my main computer back in the spring.  Windows Repair couldn't fix it and system restore points would not work, even in the Recovery Environment.  I booted from the ETBH Win-PE disk (that was my most recent backup - I keep four or five on hand) and within 25 minutes, I was back in business.  The Windows 10 update subsequently installed without issues.  So you just never can tell.  I always tell people that they are only one click away from potential disaster.

The free version of MR is still Version 6.  The current paid version is Version 7, with a mid-cycle release coming in the next month.  Apparently there will be an MR 7 Free version available in the future, according to their website.

Have a great weekend, Tom.

Regards,
-Phil

25

Tweaking.com Support & Help / Re: Typo in Update Downloader

« on: September 01, 2017, 06:09:37 am »

Boggin:

You do seem to have the spammers at bay here.  That is an ongoing battle!  The only other website that I frequent daily and where you never see spammers is the Macrium Reflect website.  You have to buy their product and enter your licence key to join their Forum!

Yes, I will be happy to help anyone here, or refer them to Bleeping Computer, if they have serious malware issues that the usual standard anti-malware programs, like Malwarebytes, cannot resolve.

I did join to check out your website, since I purchased your product (Versions 3 and 4).  I find the program (and I do use and recommend Registry Backup as well) to be a great resource for resolving odd and stubborn Windows issues.  I am here to help, so don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance, at any time.

Have a great weekend.

Regards,
-Phil