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SLOAN Ranger

This is my second part of an effort to bring some new and nice cleanup software to the fore.

Comodo System Cleaner is a huge and complete clean-up system from one of the top security software makers. It allows you to perform specific cleansing tasks, even pinpointing specific programs to clean up after.

Spring is for cleaning, and on the last day of the season I finally got around to starting proper testing of some very nice new programs. By the way, last week's column, if your newspaper turned into a stack of peanut bags, is on the Internet at http://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/techscoop.

That column was running a little long so I saved the smallest and biggest of the nice box of software I tried out.

Let's start with the contentious question of registry cleaners. Should you use one to possibly speed up the computer, or are they so potentially harmful that it's better to leave well enough alone?

Beats me. I've never noticed that a registry cleanup actually affected my computer very much. But I do install a large number of programs, and they leave all sorts of nasty stuff behind when I uninstall them. So I do clean the registry and I've never had a problem.

Little Registry Cleaner is not so much little (1.7MB download) as modest in scope, and conservative in nature. That's how I like my registry cleaners.

It is an open-source program, meaning it has lots of input and testing, and I felt quite safe with it.

The only startling point came when just when I began. I have long thought that registry programs of any kind should have a way to back up this mother of all databases - a rope and suspenders and belt approach that helps in disaster recovery.

Little Registry Cleaner doesn't do backups. It does, however, have protection. If you change the registry at all, even one entry, the program records the change. If Windows breaks, the program will restore the registry to exactly where it was before you did anything.

Other than that, this is bland, grey (literally, too) software that fairly shrieks, "You're safe. I won't hurt anything." And it didn't, in a number of tests.

It scans the registry, gives you a list of items it thinks you can do without and a choice to take all, some or none, and then does what you ask.

Goldilocks would have liked this one. It's not too fast, it's not too pushy, it's not too radical, it's not too soft (but it takes no chances). It's just right.

One word of caution, though: The program does not play well with 64-bit Windows.

Now we move on to the big stuff. I generally give big suites a cursory look and pass on, but I was both intrigued and impressed by this all-in-one cleanup package.

Comodo System Cleaner caught me on my back step, unlike the hunks at the disco.

I know Comodo as the maker of arguably the best firewall in freeware, and I was aware they were developing some interesting security suites. But I was thinking viruses and malware, while the folks at Comodo were thinking of cleaning up and tightening down what you have.

It's actually a very good approach to security, or rather part of an excellent security strategy. It's all right to sit in your living room with a shotgun waiting for thieves to show up. But if you install strong doors and proper bars on the windows it will stop most of them well before they even get in.

The program starts off with a summary screen that shows you basic information about your computer and Windows.

It has three invitations to analyse the registry, hard drive and privacy settings. It also has an all-in-one button where you can "Power Clean My Computer".

This last choice is not what you want to do first time through. Have a look at what the program offers and suggests. If you are thrilled at everything Comodo wants to do, then you can click that button the next time.

It has pretty well everything under three main screens - Cleanup, Utilities and Miscellaneous.

It deletes files you don't need, gives you suggestions about potential holes in your current security, and lets you go through your system piece by piece, with support when you need it.

I'm still not a fan of security suites, but Comodo is a trustworthy software maker that has put a lot of thought into this cleanup helper.

Finally, you probably knew I wouldn't make it through a utility roundup without a program from Nir Sofer, a top contender as best maker of small, sharp-edged tools.

CleanAfterMe pretty well describes this nifty, tiny program designed to carry with you and use on other people's computers.

It's good to know that you have left no traces, particularly clues for identity theft, when you get up to leave a cybercafe or hotel business centre.

CleanAfterMe gives you some choices if you use the utility on your own machine, but probably you should select "All of the above" anywhere else.

It comes in a 44KB Zip package complete with help at http://www.nirsoft.net/utils

Comodo System Cleaner has direct access and fast download at system-cleaner.comodo.com and yes there is a hyphen right after "system".

Little Registry Cleaner is at sourceforge.net/projects/littlecleaner

Email: wandasloan@gmail.com