My "PC Matic" Experience

     After my last view of "My Clean PC," I noticed the other commercial that plays constantly on TV for PC Matic.  This program also claims to speed up your PC, boost your Internet speed, and generally keep it running smooth.  Since these guys were obviously spending some significant money on advertising their product, I thought it was worthwhile to check them out as well.  For those of you who have read my last review, you may recall the fun we had with HAL, the virtual machine that I created to test out My Clean PC.  Unfortunately, HAL got sick of being treated so badly and submitted to me his letter of resignation.  Shortly, after he left to pursue other interests, I hired his twin brother, CAL.  CAL was eager to get started.  I almost had pity for him as I gave him a sinister smile and invited him to have a look at our next piece of software to review.  The company's website is shown above.  I clicked on the graphic to start my free download, and we were off.

     This VM that I used to test the software was configured with Windows XP service pack 3 with all the latest MicroSoft updates.  Internet Explorer 8 had just been installed along with Microsoft Security Essentials, which was updated and did a complete scan.

After clicking on PC Matic's website graphic, "Start Your Free Download Now," you are presented with the following file to download.  You can see that the file is actually coming from a website called PC Pit Stop.

I downloaded the file to my desktop and the following icon was created.

I was then presented with the typical security warning ensuring that I wanted to run this program.  Once again, it is clear that the program is from a company called P.C. Pitstop, LLC.

The following dialog boxes show the next steps in the process.

(Program Desktop Icon)

At this point, I clicked install and the program started up immediately resulting in the following error.

This brings two concerns immediately to mind.  First, the program is either not well written to have generated an error just as soon as it was started.  Or, the program is having some issue with running on my VM which I doubt, since countless other programs seem to run just fine.  My second concern is that the installation program said nothing about installing this additional program call Info Center.  You will see later on that it is separate from the PC Matic main program.

After clicking through the error, the PC Matic program starts and immediately wants you permission to install an ActiveX program.  Typically stand alone programs do not do this, but it is not completely out of the ordinary.

Allowing the ActiveX installation, leads one to the PC Matic loading screen.

And, finally, you are presented with the main PC Matic screen.

The only real option you have here is to scan your system with the gear icon in the lower right hand corner of the screen.  Doing that results in the following settings screen which offers your the opportunity to not perform some of the scans, which according to the program are not recommended.

Once you are happy with your settings, the scan begins, and it cycles through a few different screens.

At one point, the screen flashed many different images very quickly across the screen at which point I think it was testing some kind of video performance setting.  Once the scan was complete, I finally had the assessment of my system.

I must admit, I was surprised to find that this program only found five "fixes" and 3 "advice items."  I would have guessed this program was a bit more scarier breed of "scareware."  The items that need to be "fixed" are related to my internet speed.  This is interesting as this test machine is a VM and its network communication is bridged to my actual machine, so there could be some latency associated with that.  But, after some research, the "boost your internet speed" function appears to be more along the lines of Windows "tweaks" that can be used to squeeze that extra bit through those tiny little wires.  I can't give that much credence when I'm already zipping along at my broadband speeds.

Of course, the only way to "fix" my issues, is to break out the wallet and fork over the fifty bucks for the full version of the program.

The trouble I have with this is that there are plenty of good, free, and less expensive tweaking solutions out there.  I also can't abide by programs that scare you into thinking something is "broken" by saying it needs to be "fixed."  I see this program and the selling technique as geared towards the computer layman.  What was also strange in my case, was that when I did try to click on the continue button above, I couldn't.  I suspect there was some issue with the ActiveX installation.  Sloppy programming?  Perhaps.  Taking a trip back to the company's website, I could find their store and willingly hand over my hard earned cashola.  

I found it interesting to note that they website also had unsecure items, and I subsequently received a browser warning indicating such.  Not something I see with more well know sites.

The company does have several security certificates proudly on display with each link to what appears to be a valid security certification.  I am not familiar with any of them.  That's not to say they are not legitimate.

With my mission a success and my desire to see how easily the program could be removed (some can be pretty stubborn), I proceeded to uninstall both the Info Center (I didn't forget) and the main PC Matic program itself.

Again, to my surprise, this also went off without a hitch.  I did not see anything left behind to nag you later.

I dug into the PC Pit Stop website much deeper and was surprised at what I saw.  The website was very detailed about what their program does and how you can uninstall it.  It also has a support forum which contains a malware removal forum in which I saw malware helpers helping users remove malware from their system using the same type of free tools that I have used.  

Is PC Matic a scam?  No, I don't think they aim to be.  I think they are a little bit of scareware though and target those who are not as computer savvy.  Also, I haven't see the program in action for any length of time, so I also cannot comment on its long term effectiveness.  Use at your own risk.  Personally, I'll go with something else.

Microsft Internet Explorer in Windows XP Image in VirtualBox

     Based on the direction provided by Jon Thornton at his website here, I was able to download from Microsoft a virtual image of an evaluation version of Windows XP with Internet Explorer 6 installed for the purposes of evaluating how web pages look in various version of Internet Explorer.  The image comes with shortcuts to IE 7 and IE8 installations for evaluation in those browsers as well.  Once the image is installed in VirtualBox, it takes a little tweaking, but a fully function WinXP installation is the result.


     Mr. Thornton's guide that I mentioned earlier suggested renaming the virtual disk image file downloaded from Microsoft.  I found, however, that with WinRAR installed, I could open the file and extract it to the desired location.  


     Once the image is started in VirtualBox, the installation will want to install new hardware.  One of which will be a diaglog box that comes up asking about CmBatt.sys which is located on the WinXP SP3 CD.  You can cancel this dialog and prevent this event from happening every time you start the machine by disabling this device in the Windows Device Manager.  This is mentioned here in another guide.


     Several other new hardware installation dialog boxes come up which can be ignored.  I was fortunate enough the have a WinXP SP3 CD (slipstreamed SP3 into my WinXP disk - perhaps another blog post topic), so all of the hardware dialogs found the files they needed save one.  I could not get the IDE channel hardware installation box to resolve itself, so now whenever I start the machine, I have this box to ignore, by clicking Cancel.  No big deal.  After sorting through the hardware installation issues, I save a snapshot in VirtualBox in the event I needed to comeback and start over.


     From here, the installation wanted to be activated.  There was an icon in the taskbar about activation.  Clicking on this icon took me to the Microsoft website which was not successful in activating the installation.  However, the next time I restarted, I clicked on the dialog box that comes up before you log on asking you to activate.  This takes you to the familiar screen you see when you are first installing Windows and it activates as part of the installation.  I was able to activate successfully in this manner.


     The result is a Windows XP installation that I can test websites and program installation on and ruin to my heart's content and start over fresh whenever I need to.  How cool is that?

Is "My Clean PC" Legitimate?

You've seen the commercials. They've been on nearly every channel and more so in the recent weeks and months. They claim to be the "magic bullet" to solving your computer problems. While the results sound good, I was skeptical and set out to discover for myself if this service was all it was cracked up to be.

--- Open the Pod Bay Doors, HAL ---

Let me first start off by saying that I didn't just navigate over to this company's website, install their software and let 'er rip. And, I do not recommend you do either. I first downloaded virtualization software which allowed me to create a computer within my computer. It sounds strange, but it's possible with a little know-how. With this "computer in a computer" (which I'll call HAL for fun), HAL can get as sick as he wants and not affect my physical computer, which I'll call George (because I'm not that creative). So I now have HAL who was happy to accept a brand spanking new Windows XP installation and happily ran inside of George (like in that movie Aliens except without all the messy side affects). Now, I care a great deal about George, he's my best buddy. But, George's new alien parasite, HAL, while useful, well, I have no emotional attachment to him and could care less if he gets sick and even dies. That might sound bad, but let's remember, HAL is a "simulated computer" running inside of George, and I can recreate HAL again with a few simple keystrokes.

--- Exploring The Great Unknown ---

HAL now had his new Windows XP installation, no virus and spam protection installed (I'm so reckless), and with a nervous look on his face, we headed over the MyCleanPC's website. In the next image below you will see what appears to be a very clean and professional looking website.

So, with reckless abandon (well, not really), I clicked on the "Start Here" button, and HAL and I were off to see the wiz....ahem...what this service had in store. The next box that popped up is below.

This notification shows that the website wants to immediately download a program into HAL that's called MyCleanPC.exe which is 4.74 MB in size. I said "ok, let's do it." HAL said "Do we HAVE to?" and we moved on. The next warning that HAL and I received is the typical dialog box that always asks if you are abso-floggin-lutely positive you want to run this potentially universe-ending program. Sure do!

Figure 3 - Internet Explorer Security Warning

Next, I began the installation process while HAL sat there helplessly quaking in his cyberboots. (Note to self: search internet for actual pair of cyberboots.) The following screenshots show the progression of events through the installation process of this panacea of computer problems.

I did save a copy of the EULA, if anyone is interested in it, but it seems to contain the same boilerplate user agreement text that are in many of these types of things. Next, it was time to start this program. I distinctly heard HAL whimpering and George began to chuckle. The next image below shows that when this program was started, it immediately began scanning my system.

I thought this was a bit rude. Normally, programs of this nature introduce you to the program and provide you some options about how it operates. "Greetings, Progr.....hey now just where do you think you're going?" I could tell from the messages that were wizzing past that this program was scanning my Windows registry entries. This is a good thing to do, but it seems that is all that this particular program does. (Note to self: Report this program to the Master Control Program then save the girl.) A proper analysis of computer issues involves more than just a registry scan as every good computer geek knows.

--- Happy Halloween - Trick or Trick! ---

You can see the results of the scan below, and it was just as I expected...because I keep my expectations low when it come to these quick fix solutions. To the non-computer geek, your first response may have been some along the lines of Holy compu-crap, Batman! ...or something quite similar. HAL had already started filling out his last will and testament and was calling George to say his good-byes and reminisce about the old times back a few minutes ago.

Well folks, what you have here is what I like to call "scareware." A program that scares you into buying it by providing you information like the above which leads you to believe your poor HAL or George is very, very sick. Soon, thoughts of "Peggy" in a far off country ordering a new Mercedes on your credit card begin to rush through your mind. With trembling fingers you click on each of the error messages above and see the following screens for each one.

Looks bad, eh?  To provide even more unease, clicking on each individual error message launches the Windows Registry editor (image below) where that particular registry error resides. If you only know the registry as someplace you renew your driver's license then your head is spinning by now.

--- Where's the Antacid? ---

That sick feeling in your stomach begins to grows larger and in your panic you click on the "Fix All My Problems" button. You begin to feel better. This pretty green button makes you feel safer and gives you hope that all will soon be well. You are then immediately whisked away from the emergency room waiting area into the triage office (their website) and presented with the following.

Here the doctor explains to you that with a little minor surgery (on your wallet), you can be right as rain. I think you see where this is going. For nearly $40, you can solve your problems. But wait folks! There's more! I've read further horror stories on the internet of other victims shelling out hundreds of dollars for live support which they actually do get. However, if you remember, my HAL was created brand new. He had a fresh installation of Windows XP and only two program installed (both of which I know to be ok). Yet, MyCleanPC found 114 errors. Hard to believe?  Not really.  There are many of these types of programs out there just looking for a fat wallet to skinny down.  (Where's Tron when you need him?)

--- The Monkey's On My Back! ---

Living with this program installed on your machine does not appear to be too instrusive, but I did not spend much time seeing what programs it may affect or how it may affect the overall performance of the machine it is installed on. It does provide you with a new taskbar icon with the letter "C" on a shield, the first icon show below.

Which is used to launch the program window allowing you to "scan" your computer again if you ask it to. It will also create two new desktop icons that also lead back to either the program or the company's website. They are the first and third icons on the desktop shown below.

The program finally admits its a registry editor when you launch it for the second time yourself.  It provides you with options for scanning and then happily scans away.  Interestingly, the second time I scanned I only had 113 errors when I originally had 114.  At least it's consistent.  (Yes, HAL that was sarcasm.  Relax.  You weren't badly hurt, only emotionally scarred.)  

A few other items of interest are left.  When you click on the About in the menu bar, you are given the following window.

When you click on the Rescue Center, you are again whisked away to the web and presented with this handsome-looking fellow ready to help you - for a price.

--- Taking Out The Trash ---

To my surprise, uninstalling the software was relatively painless. I expected (as typically happens with other scareware) that the program would be more difficult to remove or leave behind programs running in the background waiting to spring up and remind me how many problems I have with my computer. Below are the screenshots of the uninstall process which nagged me a bit but final resigned itself to the cyber-afterlife.

---I Don't Smell Anything Bad ---


Finally, just to be sure I used a well known malware scanner to make sure HAL was clean of this troublesome little program.  The results showed clean, so it appears that at least there are no traces of it left behind to nag you.

--- Inserting Shameless Plug Here ---


So, for those of your thinking your might give this company a try, I would recommend you don't.  There are many other Internet resources and people (like me and my buddy HAL) you can trust that would better serve to resolve your computer issues than these guys.  Your comments here are welcome.  Wishing you Safe and Happy Computing!


Warm Regards,
Michael J. Karg
www.kargcustomcomputing.com