What?

Norton SystemWorks (starting in early versions and still in 2008) has a program called 'Norton System Doctor' that we believe is a VERY USEFUL tool for helping users to manage and maintain their PCs.  It visually presents an easy to navigate and use control panel like the following::

This computer maintenance and monitoring control panel is one that must first be started and configured to work.  Once properly set-up it displays a small stoplight icon in the Windows system tray located in the lower right hand corner of a PC.  Here's a look as how it appears when everything being monitored is within the pre-set limits and therefore displaying their results and the 'Norton System Doctor' stoplight in GREEN.

When any of the items being monitored moves outside its pre-set limits, the above stoplight turns RED signaling that a closer look is needed.  A single click on the stoplight opens and displays a control panel like the one above.

Why?

Monitoring and maintaining a PCs performance continually is a key to keeping it in good working order or as Symantec's advertisements promise, 'Enjoy a finely tuned computer."  The BIG advantage of using the SystemWorks, 'Norton System Doctor' tool is that it makes this process visual.  Here are a few examples:

• Most computer users are barely aware of the benefits of defragmentation, much less the current fragmentation status of their computer's hard disk or disks.  'Norton System Doctor' displays fragmentation status and provides a useful alternative tool 'Speed Disk' to the one that comes with Windows. (For more on defragmentation you may wish to review our guide titled 'Defragmentation-The What, Why & How?')
• Most users are unaware of errors in the registry, abandoned shortcuts, or leftovers from removed programs, etc. These errors accumulate on their PCs over time, and individually they pose little if any impact, but collectively they become another factor in slowing down a PC.  The 'WinDoctor' tool monitors these errors, identifies when they're found, and provides a database of solutions that makes resolving them quick work.
• Most users don't realize that updates come in two options.  Those that are set-up to be downloaded and incorporated automatically, and those that are made available for optional download and installation.  The 'Live Update' tool monitors updates and reminds the user to periodically check-in for those additional 'optional' updates.

There are many more aspects of a PCs operation that can be monitored including physical and committed memory, page-file size, hard disk free space, system uptime, Internet speed and more.   In every case 'Norton System Doctor' makes monitoring and maintaining them a simple procedure that includes:  See-->Click-->Fix

How?

We'll address this from two perspectives...

Initial Set-Up

To set-up 'Norton System Doctor' so that it is able to work as desired.  The steps include:

1. Install and register SystemWorks on the desired PC
2. Start-up the program by finding it in the SystemWorks 'Utilities' section under 'Find and Fix Problems' .
3. Once 'Norton System Doctor is started' choose [View]-->[Options]-->[Windows Settings] and check off  'Start Automatically with Windows' and 'Start Minimized'.
4. Choose 'Sensors', a category and an item to build the control panel you prefer.  (You might use our sample above as a starting point, or E-mail us to request a copy of our standard '.Nsd' settings file.)
5. Right click on each new senor item and choose 'Properties' to configure your preferred settings for that item.  (Note that we have developed several preferences for 'Sensor Display Types' that you may wish to copy.)
6. When the control panel configuration is complete, save these settings in an '.Nsd' file by choosing [File]-->[Save Configuration As] and specifying a file name and clicking [OK], (Note that this file can be copied to a new PC to implement these settings on it.)

Ongoing Operation

To use 'Norton System Doctor' day-to-day in monitoring and maintaining a PC, the steps include:

1. On seeing a 'RED' stoplight click once on the stoplight icon in the system tray
2. Visually identify the item or items that are displaying their results in 'RED'
3. Using the right mouse button click once on each 'RED' sensor and choose the middle entry that typically begins with the word 'Open ...' or 'Launch ...', and use that tool to correct the concerned item.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for each 'RED' item.
5. If desired use right mouse button on any sensor and choose 'Update' to force an update that will begin (but not immediately) an update of the selected sensor (Typically this speeds the process of turning 'RED' to 'GREEN').

We believe that SystemWorks and particularly 'Norton System Doctor' give most any user a running start at being able to monitor and maintain their own PCs.  It's a driving force in leading us to purchase and install SystemWorks for growing list of satisfied clients.

If you are interested in SystemWorks you may also wish to review our guides titled: "45+ Copies of SystemWorks 2006-2009 and still buying...", "SystemWorks 2004 & 2006 - Illegitimate warning" and "Installing Software? Order is important... (See notes)".

.          .          .          .         .          .         .         .         .          .          .         .          .          .          .         .

If you found this guide interesting or useful would you vote [YES] below.  We're trying
 to build a reputation on eBay one-person-at-a-time, and we'd like your help to do it!  THANK YOU!