free software

Ok, I know I am a dummy here but I have a question about the "free software". When I download the free versions of any of the software I have attempted to download I get the partial scans (sometimes the full scans or versions) but when I attempt to get them to do the clean ups and so forth they take me to a page where I have to pay for the work I want done or if I attempt to use free software program to install drivers for different applications I get the same type of things. I have to join this or that for a yr. or more to use the product. What am I doing wrong? I don't mind paying for things it is just that I am not able to pay for all of the programs out there and there are some that I have paid for that were not what they were cracked up to be so I still loose out. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks

 

you will find a lot of the programs say FREE SCAN or FREE DOWNLOAD that usually means just what it says "the scan/download is free" but you will 99% of he time have to pay for the programme.

the best way to find out is to ask the members here for their opinions of a particular job you would like to do and they will point you to the best solution.

THAT WAY YOU WILL SAVE time:energy+money we all know it can sometimes be very frustrating.
http://bestsmileys.com/frustrated/4.gif

 

What you're describing is common with registry 'fixers' and with data recovery utilities. The reg tools will report "you have 178 problems in your registry. To repair, click here!" and you're then routed to a web site asking for $$$... with data recovery programs, they will actually show you the recovered files, but saving them is disabled until you pay up. As stated above, your best bet is to let us know what tasks you're trying to perform, and we can recommend software that is 100% free (truly free) and tested and used regularly by folks 'in the know', so you'd know that anything recommended here at MajorGeeks is pretty much top notch. We wouldn't steer you wrong! I recommend you read these links:
Highly recommended FREE programs: http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20
Basic/General PC maintenance: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106650
Read those links, and you'll get some ideas for GREAT, FREE software! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask 'em! We're here to help!

hd2k

 

I want to thank you both for the replies and encouragement. I appreciate it alot as many times I feel so inadequate when trying to learn to use my computer for more than just mail, instant messsages and chat. lol...... and I want to be able to maintain it myself with out having to take it to a shop or repair person. I regularly run defrag, disk cleanup, and windows washer but know there is alot more to keeping it clean and I also blow it out on the inside for dust etc. Not sure at this point though what virus protection I have on here or spyware other than what is provided by aol, yahoo and windows. Thanks again for your help.

 

Check this link: http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20
You'll see something like this: "I want to...." and that will be followed by a list of things like "...remove viruses from my PC" and "...protect my PC from viruses" and the like. So you'll click on whatever it is you want to do, and you'll be given a list of quality, tested, FREE programs for the particular task you chose. So, check it out, you'll be glad you did, and there will be much happiness and rejoicing in the snippy2nita homestead :celebrate :hyper :celebrate :hyper

hd2k