Nero CD-DVD Speed – The Best Free Way to Test the Quality of Your CD/DVDs

Posted by ZikVn On 1:18 AM 0 comments
There are many optical disc recorders and great number of brands that sell CDs or DVDs, and you shouldn’t count solely on a brand name when you require long term data reliability. You can verify written data in your favorite CD burning program, but it’s not enough. If you want to be sure in the quality of your home-written media, you need a program to test your optical drives and media.
One of the most popular programs for this purpose is Nero CD-DVD Speed that is part of Nero Toolkit.
Nero CD-DVD Speed is a powerful tool for testing optical drives.
The program has simple tabbed interface that is very easy to use. The first tab is called Benchmark. It allows you to check the read speed of a disc, DAE quality (for Audio CD), disc access type, access times, CPU usage at different speeds, and data interface burst rate.


Nero CD-DVD Speed Benchmark


After scanning a disc you will see the curve of reading speed. If this curve isn’t smooth, then you should worry about reliability of your media and written data quality.
Nero CD-DVD Speed allows you to perform test of writing performance of your optical drive (Create Disc tab).
On the tab “Disc Info” you can find such information about disc as disc type, manufacturer, write speed, number of layers, disc capacity, disc status and others.


Nero CD-DVD Speed Info


One of the most important features of Nero CD-DVD Speed is its disc quality test. When this test is complete, you will obtain report about the discovered errors and will see two histograms that demonstrate the errors encountered. And finally Nero CD-DVD Speed calculates cumulative quality score. The higher this score, the better quality.


Nero CD-DVD Speed Quality Test


Nero CD-DVD Speed also includes a ScanDisc function with File Test & Surface Scan to check the integrity of the optical disc and allows to perform TA jitter test.
The are several others features such as overburning test, advanced quality DAE tests, etc.
Nero CD-DVD Speed supports for CD, DVD, Blu-Ray and HD DVD drives and media. And finally this good and very useful program is absolutely free.
The latest available version of Nero CD-DVD Speed is 4.7.7.15 that has been released recently.
Downloand Nero CD-DVD Speed 4.7.7.15 (733 KB)

, | edit post

TweakNow RegCleaner v.3.7.0

Posted by ZikVn On 1:17 AM 0 comments
The new version 3.7.0 of TweakNow RegCleaner has been released recently. TweakNow RegCleaner is very useful software that can remove all Windows registry errors and restore your system to optimum performance.
The system registry is one of the most vitally important parts of any Windows system.
It contains information about your system configuration and determines how Windows looks, how efficiently it works, and what you're allowed to do.
Almost all programs use registry to keep configuration and other information. When you delete a file or uninstall a program, the registry entries of this program are deleted automatically. Unfortunately, it does not always work that way. Sometimes, programs fail to remove their own registry entries. Thus, an obsolete data or error stays in the registry.
Over time your Windows registry becomes saturated with these obsolete entries and invalid data that cause errors and even system crashes. Therefore it is very useful to periodically clean your system's registry.
TweakNow RegCleaner is an excellent utility for this purpose. The program has clean and simple interface. It is very easy to use.

TweakNow RegCleaner Interface


The default settings are configured for immediate use. However, you can adjust them to suit your need.
TweakNow RegCleaner has two scanning modes: Quick Scan and Custom. The first one only scan the most important part of your system’s registry. The second mode allows you to manually select list of registry sections to be scanned.
The user mode section of RegCleaner allows you to select the available options that best describe your understanding of Windows registry. The default Beginner mode only displays scan results that rated as safe to delete, and the Expert mode allows scanning the registry using all available scan methods and all scan results will be shown to user. You can restore the Windows registry, in case something goes wrong after removing some registry entries.
TweakNow RegCleaner available in two editions: standard (free) and professional, which has a more powerful registry scan engine and some advanced features.
I think TweakNow RegCleaner is a very safe registry cleaning software that is perfect for everyone who wants to clean out his Windows registry and doesn’t want to worry about messing up their system.

See also:
Super Utilities - Make Your Computer Better

Clean Out Junk on Your System with CCleaner

, | edit post

TrueCrypt 5.0 - Best Free Real-time File Encryption

Posted by ZikVn On 1:17 AM 0 comments
If you want to protect certain sensitive data, the most viable and simple solution is data encryption. There are many encryption programs to choose from, but when it comes to ease of use and value few can compare to the open-source TrueCrypt software.
TrueCrypt can create a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mount it as a virtual disk that can be accessed via a drive letter. It can also encrypt entire hard drive or removable media, such as USB flash drives, floppy disks, and memory sticks.
Any file that is saved on the encrypted virtual drive is automatically encrypted on-the-fly, and can only be accessed while the drive is mounted with the correct password or key.
TrueCrypt supports 11 algorithms for encrypting your private data, including such algorithms as AES-256, Blowfish (448-bit key), CAST5, Serpent, Triple DES, and Twofish.
The best feature TrueCrypt provides for the user is the ability to create a hidden drives. It is the best way to prevent others from discovering that some data even exist.
The program has quite simple interface and the regular user can handle it easily. The useful tips in the comprehensive web help manual and volume-creation wizard provide excellent guidance.

TrueCrypt Best Free Encryption Software Main Window


One obvious downside of any strong encryption program is if you forget your password, you should consider any protected files as good as gone. So don’t forget your passwords.
I’ve tried several free and ‘lite’ encryption programs and TrueCrypt is my doubtless favorite. Similar applications cost enough to make you avoid them. TrueCrypt is free.

Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 2000, 2003, XP, and Vista. Mac OS X and Linux operating systems are also supported.
You can download TrueCrypt from this page.

, , | edit post

FastStone Capture 6.0 – Powerful Screen Capture Software

Posted by ZikVn On 1:16 AM 1 comments
The new version of powerful, flexible and intuitive screen-capture utility has been released recently. I talk about FastStone Capture 6.0.
Taking a screenshot of your desktop is quite easy if you simply want to capture the entire screen, using the 'Print Screen' key on your keyboard.
But what if you want to capture a specific area of the screen? Of course, you still can use the 'Print Screen' key to copy your screen to the Clipboard and then paste it into the image editor where you can crop a certain area of the image. However, it is not very convenient. There is also a Snipping Tool for Vista users that allows them to grab a particular area of the screen.
If you don’t have Vista or don’t like its Snipping Tool, I recommend you to try FastStone Capture. It is fast and easy to use screen-capture software.
FastStone Capture allows you to capture anything on the screen including windows, objects, selections, scrolling windows or web pages as well as full screen. It has integrated image viewer and capture editor where you can modify the captured image before saving. FastStone Capture’s editor enables you to apply additional editing tools like resizing, sharpening, brightening, cropping, rotating, text, watermarks, sepia and more.

FastStone Capture’s editor

You can select the destination for the captured image. This image can be sent to image editor, clipboard, print dialog, default email client program or directly saved to file. FastStone Capture also can sent captured images to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint documents or even to a Web (FTP) server.
FastStone Capture saves captured image in BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PCX, TGA, and PDF formats.

FastStone Capture

FastStone Capture has floating Capture Panel that offers fast access to its capture tools and output options. It’s worth to mention several additional features like global hotkeys, support for external editors, automatic filename generation, a color picker, a screen magnifier and a screen ruler.
The latest version of FastStone Capture offers several improvements and new features like improved "Draw" tool, ability to sent images to Web (FTP) server, enhanced screen ruler and some others. There are also some changes in the user interface and bug fixes.
FastStone Capture 6.0 can be downloaded here. (1 Mb)

, , | edit post

jv16 PowerTools 2008 1.8.0.455

Posted by ZikVn On 1:15 AM 0 comments
Macecraft Software Company has released an updated version of its jv16 PowerTools software.
jv16 PowerTools is one of the most known and certainly one of the best Windows optimization programs. This software is the suite containing 21 different tools which allow you to keep your computer running smoothly and error-free.
With jv16 PowerTools you can:
  • Automatically fix many types of registry errors
  • Automatically clean your Windows registry from unneeded and obsolete data
  • Easily remove all traces of software you have thought you have already uninstalled ages ago
  • Detect and remove unneeded history data and MRU (most recently used) lists that can contain your privacy information
  • Find and remove unnecessary files, including temp files and duplicate files
  • And much, much more!

The updated version contains the following changes.
  • Fixed a bug from the Registry Finder which caused it not to properly find a certain type of registry errors.
  • Added a safety feature to the Registry Cleaner and Registry Finder which prompts user for additional confirmation if user attempts to delete an important registry key.
  • Added a safety feature to the File Cleaner and File Finder which makes it more difficult to delete important system files with it, if user attempts to do so the program shows an additional confirmation message.

If you want to improve the performance of your Windows system and release your hard drive from unneeded files jv16 PowerTools 2008 will be the right choice for you.
See more about jv16 PowerTools.
You can download jv16 PowerTools 2008 here. (Size: 3.7 MB; Usage limitations: 30 Day trial)
Posted by Oleg at 10:08 AM 1 comments
Labels: ,

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

jv16 PowerTools 2008 - Very Good Optimization Software

The new version of jv16 PowerTools 2008 is available. This software is amazing set of 22 different tools which allow you to keep your computer error free and running smoothly. jv16 PowerTools 2008 lets you fix, repair, optimize and tune up your computer easier than ever.
The program has well designed interface that gives a quick access to all its functions and features. It is very easy to use. The multilingual user interface of jv16 PowerTools allows the software to be used in all major languages, while safety features and automatic backup help you to use the program as risk free as possible!

jv16 PowerTools registry tools


jv16 PowerTools provides an efficient tool for controlling and uninstalling applications on you PC. It also allows you to remove all traces of software you have thought you have already uninstalled ages ago.
This software helps you optimize the performance of your system by cleaning your Windows registry from obsolete and unneeded data. It can easily fix many registry problems, increasing the stability of your system.
jv16 PowerTools includes privacy tools that can detect and remove unneeded MRU objects and history data that can contain your privacy information.

jv16 PowerTools Privacy tools


Such file tools as file organizer, cleaner, and duplicate finder can help you to manipulate and remove unneeded files on your system.

jv16 PowerTools File tools


There are many others very useful tools that help you maintain your computer optimized.
The new version 1.8.0.435 Beta 2 of jv16 PowerTools includes new user interface, improved Registry Cleaner, fully rewritten and supercharged Startup Manager, and some other minor improvements and bug fixes.
I think jv16 PowerTools will be the right choice for anyone who is looking for all-in-one software that can easily optimize their PC.

Download jv16 PowerTools 2008 v.1.8.0.435 Beta 2 (without handbook, 2.2 MB, shareware)

The current non-beta version of jv16 PowerTools can be downloaded here.

See also: Super Utilities v.7.75 – Make Your Computer Better

, | edit post

Diskeeper Professional 2008 - Powerful Defragmentation Software

Posted by ZikVn On 1:14 AM 0 comments
Over time your HDD becomes fragmented. As you delete and create files, you create new regions of free space. Your free space is not in one big chunk at the end, but instead just a number of small holes all over your disk. And sometimes it is impossible to allocate new files contiguously, and your operating system has to break them into fragments, putting a small piece here and a small piece there.
File system fragmentation on your HDD can bring unforeseen problems, such as complete slowdown of system performance, slow startup and shutdown, PC crashes and sometimes even to drive failures.
Fortunately for all of us there are a number of programs that are designed to eliminate fragmentation. One of the best programs of this kind is Diskeeper 2008.
Diskeeper 2008 has one of the most powerful defragmentation engines ever developed. Even if your system only has a 1% of free space it can be defragged by this great program.
Diskeeper runs in the background and in real time and automatically defrags your disk when your machine is idle. Thus it can handle fragmentation as it occurs, eliminating the need for manual defragmentation.

Diskeeper 2008 Professional Main Window


Diskeeper 2008 also allows you manually defrag your system. Boot-Time Defragmentation option allows you to defrag your hard drive at boot time, moving files that couldn’t be moved while Windows was in use.
The program can configure the MFTs (Master File Tables - the place where information about every file and directory on an NTFS hard drive is stored) and paging files (a hidden file on your HDD that Windows uses as if it were RAM), preventing them from fragmentation and thus increasing overall system performance.
Diskeeper 2008 includes many others options and features for advanced users.
If you abuse your harddrive with lots of new/updated/deleted files, I would definitely recommend that you try Diskeeper.
You can download the latest version of Diskeeper here.
, | edit post

Cobian Backup 9.1.1.193 – Good and free backup software

Posted by ZikVn On 1:14 AM 0 comments
The new version of Cobian Backup software has been released recently. Cobian Backup is a multi-threaded application that allows to schedule and backup your files and directories from some place in your computer to other directories or drives in the same computer or to a shared drive in another machine. There is also full support for the protocol FTP. So the program lets you ability to back up your files to your FTP server.
Cobian Backup exists in two versions: software and service. Cobian Backup software uses very few resources and can be running on the background on your system, checking your backup schedule and executing your backups when it necessary.
The application supports several methods of strong encryption and compression. So it can be used not only for making backups of your file and folders but for creating security copies of them.
Cobian Backup has very simple and easy to use interface with extra-large icons that even your grandmother can read without her glasses on. Maybe the program lacks some features of more powerful backup software products but it allows you to create and schedule an automated backup of all your important files in a few minutes.



Like any good backup utility, Cobian Backup allows you to choose what type of backup full or incremental you want to create. Full backup allows you to create a copy of all your data every time. Incremental backup makes a copy only of those files that have changed.
Here some others key features of Cobian Backup software:
  • automatic removing of old backups
  • remote backup
  • displaying of backup history
  • an open plugin architecture to allow the program's enhancement
  • backup to multiple destinations.


The latest version 9.1.1.193 of Cobian Backup has a lot of changes. Here is the list of the most important of them:
  • Start a backup when autostart
  • Autostart the interface can now be set for all users or the current user
  • Now you can pause the backup in any place
  • Proxy SMTP can now use SOCKS
  • SMTP can now use SSL
  • FTP operations use now UNICODE for local operations
  • FTP operations can now use UTF transfers if the server support it
  • Support for 7zip compression
  • Zip files can now store file names in UNICODE
  • A brand new, improved help file and tutorial
  • And more.


You can download the latest version of Cobian Backup here.

, , , | edit post

    Sign in


    Visitor Maps