Norton Utilities 2002

It takes a bit of time to install and run Norton Utilities the first time, especially if the machine has been used for any length of time without maintenance. Still, the manual and help functions are clear, and most users will have it running invisibly in an afternoon or evening (novices should definitely ask for the aid of an experienced user). The program requires a bit of additional attention every week or so, as it discovers new problems and prompts for authorization to repair them, but most of its work is unnoticeable. Repairing damaged files, defragmenting crowded drives, and monitoring system performance are the most widely useful utilities, but some users will particularly appreciate tools like WipeInfo and the Registry Tracker. One of Norton's great strengths is its scalability, which depends on the user's level of expertise. Old hands can fiddle around under the hood to their heart's content, while novices can just start it up and watch it go.

If you own a previous version of Norton Utilities, you'll want to upgrade to the 2002 version if you're running Windows XP; other Windows users can get along just fine waiting for more new features. For new users, Norton Utilities is a great way to keep your computer happy, safe, and sound. --Rob Lightner

Amazon.com Review
Norton Utilities 2002 offers a set of tools designed to keep PCs clean, fast, and optimized. In this new edition, supported platforms have been expanded to include Windows 2000 and XP, and includes the addition of Wipe Info, a virtual shredder for those documents that you really don't want to be recoverable--not even by Norton's own recovery programs.

Installing Utilities is easy, and the user may select which components are desired. The design of the interface is uncluttered and businesslike, although a little bit old-fashioned when compared with competing utilities software. For example, each part of Norton Utilities 2002 has a different look, some being better than others, which does make it feel a little disorganized and confusing. Nevertheless, the various programs are organized in a user-friendly way, under three headers: Optimize Performance; Find and Fix Problems; and System Maintenance.

Optimize Performance SpeedDisk is an efficient way to optimize your computer's retrieval and storage of data on your hard disk. It can be scheduled to run automatically, and also runs in the background leaving you free to continue using your PC. It organizes files according to which ones you use the most, thus reducing access time for your favorite applications. Compared to other products, such as the disk defragmenter utility that comes with most Windows operating systems, SpeedDisk is really fast.

Find and Fix Problems Norton SystemDoctor is a utility that houses sensors, such as CPU load and disk space, and can be customized to include a sensor for Internet package-transfer speed. UnErase Wizard will recover items that have been emptied from the Recycle Bin (unless it's been "wiped," of course), and is pretty reliable. It's not a tool that can be run wholesale on a Recycle Bin to recover everything that has been deleted, as it requires some suggestion of the name of the file or at least the file type. Norton also allows you to make a Norton Protected Bin, which makes sure that data can be recovered more easily. Norton DiskDoctor aims to diagnose problems and suggest a fix, or if you prefer, you can set it to auto-fix. It checks partition tables, file structures, and free space, and can be configured easily to run automatically on startup. Norton WinDoctor is a particularly useful tool for those who are not experts in their computer's system. It locates and fixes those annoying problems such as shortcuts that have lost their application and missing system files. It is a really easy way to keep your computer healthy, and it allows the user to specify their own fixes to problems it flags.

System Maintenance This is the home for System Information and Wipe Info.

Overall, Norton Utilities 2002 is a very easy-to-use and stable program that will help PC users take control of their PC. --Alison Jardine

Amazon.com Product Description
Norton Utilities 2002 optimizes your PC's performance and solves computer problems easily. You can organize your hard drive files efficiently for faster access and greater stability with SpeedDisk, while Norton Disk Doctor safeguards the integrity of your drive by detecting and repairing disk problems. Norton WinDoctor helps you get optimal performance from Windows by diagnosing and solving a wide range of Windows problems, from software errors to hardware configuration conflicts.

The Norton Protected Recycle Bin provides a comprehensive recovery system for deleted and overwritten files. And with the Wipe Info tool you can increase your data security by eliminating all traces of unneeded or confidential files. To keep your PC working smoothly every minute it's on, you can run Norton System Doctor continuously in the background to detect potential disk and system problems. In many cases, it will automatically take preventive measures to avoid serious trouble.

All of the Norton Utilities tools are fully integrated for easy, efficient use. You can even run many of them directly from the CD in the event that your hard disk isn't working properly. Now Windows XP RC1 users can also enjoy the benefits of this program. Find out for yourself why Norton Utilities is the proven name for PC care.

Highly effective tool for multiple platforms.


Worth the money!!   December 11, 2002
A. Vegan (Ontario Canada)
This is a great program. I was always a McAfee user but after it kept slowing my system down, I switched to Norton and I couldn't be happier.
I really like all the tools that come with this program. I can optimize my PC, scan for obsolete files and many other things. This program is well worth the money.


NOT designed for XP   October 30, 2002
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I bought this program, assuming from the "Designed for XP" sticker on the box that it was, in fact, compatible with XP. However, the disk scanner cannot access the NTFS filesystem, which allows full use of XP disk features, while XP is running - and the bootable disks don't support NTFS as well. So, you will spend good money for this utility, only to have it run the Windows scanner instead. Plus, the rescue disks are still written in DOS and don't work well with a non-DOS-based system like XP, and a number of the features only run on 98 or ME systems! This is not designed for XP - it is a program designed for Win98 and problematic with XP that someone happened to slap a sticker of approval on. It gets 2 stars because some of the other tools could be useful.