Jazzyjazz2004

Good Day,

I want to WARN you all of a software program that was here on DH as a link. The software is from SMARTALEC http://www.smartalec2000.com/ software and is called GAME ACCELRATOR 1.6. Below is a copy of my correspondence with the programmer...

My initial email:

I installed your software and rebooted to a host of "failed write
> > erros". I could not boot into safe mode or anything. I finally
> > realized that your software had changed the registry setting for
> > LARGESYSTEMCACHE to 1.
> >
> > This is a NO-NO for systems with ATI graphics cards and the
> > increase
> > is not worth it ( http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/atiproblem.htm
>
> > ). I would think that you would be aware of this, considering you
> > WRITE software. Just do a google search for all the PROBLEMS
> > associated with enabling this particular tweak.
> >
> > I am unhappy since I don't know WHAT damage was done to my os (XP
> > Pro) when the writes failed.
> >
> > I also respectfully request that you supply me with a method to
> > undo
> > your tweaks...ie; registry undo file, so that I can restore my system
> > to it's former tweaked state. I cannot use SYSTEM RESTORE after having
>
> > used your software...the restore points are corrupt due to the
> > errors
> > generated by your program.
> >
> > Jasper Ferguson
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 1:19 PM
> To: Jasper Ferguson
> Subject: Re: Game Accelerator 1.6
>
> Mr. Wong's RESPONSE:
> Simply exit the program and then uninstall the remove anything that it
> has done. We are well aware of the largesystemcache problem. ATI and
> Nvidia have
> been reported that their drivers and hardware did not cause this problem
>
> anymore. However, we will remove this value in future revisions on the
> safe side.


> My Reply:
> Quoting Jasper Ferguson <Jazzyjazz@joimail.com>:

Quoting Jasper Ferguson <Jazzyjazz@joimail.com>:

> Thank you for your timely reply.
>
> I apologize for my initial "heated" reply. Of course you are aware of
> the systemcache problem...sorry. You got to understand that I was
> racing to communicate with you before another system crash (lol).
>
> I have restored my registry using a back up I had saved...so that is
> allright. Are there OTHER changes made to my system that a registry
> restore would not correct? For instance SYSEDIT files, etc, that I
> would need to manually correct? If so could you tell me what they are?
> I have already uninstalled your software and am reluctant to reinstall
> it for ovbvious reasons.
>
> Finally, was any permanent damage done to my os when it suffered
> through those numerous "write fail" errors? Do I need to run a REPAIR
> of windows to verify my file integrity? I have already completed
> SCANDISK.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jasper
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: alexanderwong@einfodaily.com
> [mailto:alexanderwong@einfodaily.com]
>

Mr Wong's RESPONSE:
No problem. I know you felt at the time and so perfectly understand the way
you reacted. Anyways, there is nothing else you need to change and there should
be no permanent damage done to your os. Finally, we have rectified the problem
by simply removing that value, whether or not ATI or Nvidia says they have
fixed the problem or not. The v1.8 version is available at
www.majorgeeks.com. I hope that you will give us another chance.


Conclusion...

I should have stayed "HEATED"!

The FIRST chance was one chance too many!

First, the software did NOT remove itself and ALL of the changes it introduced into my system. The damage done by the initial failed writes was irrepairable...my system was trashed at this point. Even though I continued to use it for a few days (til today), errors were killing me, ie; my 3 computer network for which I was the HOST, FAILED. I get "WMI is Corrupt" errors along with a host of others. I could not use SYSTEM RESTORE because ALL of my restore points were corrupted...I got error "..could not be restored to this date...yada, yada.

Second, Mr. Wong says he was "aware" of the "LargeSystemCache" problem with ATI and nVidia cards, and that he "thought" ATI and nVidia had resolverd the problem, but DID HE TEST THIS THEORY??? I doubt it. He simply released a product that utilized an OLD tweak that is publicly known to cause corruption to an XP os. Any pc would have done for this test...why use MINE?

I am a gamer, and as such, look for means to increase my fps. I downloaded this software and attempted to test it. I did NOT realize that it would not allow me to SELECT what tweaks i might want to invoke...Rather, this software, upon installation, makes SWEEPING changes throughout your system...I discovered TOO late, that I had NO CONTROL over the input of this program. The damage was already done. (In general, I do NOT use software that I cannot monitor.)
I used WINDIFF (built in Windows XP file compare utility) to examine the damage...Whew...Mr. Wong was very busy.

To make a long story short...I am about to REFORMAT my 200 GB Western Digital serial drive and start over. Mr. Wong's mailbox is full and has been full for days...I guess that lots of folks got problems and complaints. I cannot properly explain to him the anguish I allowed his software to cause me.
I will try to respond to any comments but it usually takes me 1 to 2 days to configure Windows XP before I install software, so any responses may have to wait til then.

Mr. WONG, your software, GAME ACCELERATOR 1.6 (and 1.9) SUCKS major vapors!!!
Advice to ALL...Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, unless you have a Death Wish, install this woefully inadequate software!!!

Jazz

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Judas

I think Dyre had posted about this..... and had just as much luck and problems as you did...

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Zardon

the moral of the story is to stay away from these software "tweak" packages for XP, i learned that the hard way myself a long time ago. I do a few manual tweaks after a fresh install and leave XP as is.

Dyre Straits

Actually, no, it wasn't me that posted the initial link to it. I did read, though, about the problems and have avoided this and other such tweak programs for XP.

EDIT: Here's the initial (recently posted) thread about this started by Funky Monkey:

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...ht=accelerator

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Driver 7

Ya know this makes sence and I have a good example. Every time I reinstall I do a complete list of tweeks and reg modifications. Last night I reinstalled due to scores not being detected in PCmark2002. (which are still a problem) and as of this morning I have hardly done any modifications at all. I have adjusted my appearance for best performance, turned off indexing, error reporting and screen savers. But I have not accessed the reg or turned off services. So far I have almost beaten all of my personal high scores for the benchmarks that I have run.
I was able to run 3dmark03 with my Core at 511 and mem at 1018. I do that every day with 01 but never with 03. also my hard drive score today in PCmark02 was 3741. Thats a huge increase over my high.
There are any number of things that could account for that like Via's beta drivers from last week of the fact it was cold here last night. But I would bet I could not duplicate that if I was to go and hack up my O/S.
(as windows breathes a sigh of relief from my pc)

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Mazuko

Wrong link Dyre

Here is the link I think you were looking for

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...me+accelerator

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Murdock

i had it installed a while a go to try it but it is a piece of shit software, i had to reformat my HD ,i had simular problems like Jazzyjazz2004 wrote

Rayder

I wholeheartedly agree. I have had nothing but bad luck with custom tweaker programs. I just use tweaks manually and determine for myself what works and what doesn't based on reviews from members here and at other tech forums. I have found that shutting off some of the WinXP "services" is usually the best tweak for a non-overclocker like me. Avoiding much of the BETA software helps too.

Let's put it this way, my system is as stable as a rock, and leave it at that.

Dyre Straits

Thanks!

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GutterPunk

well thanks to 2 both thread starters about this... i will not install

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MIG-31

i had the same problem with the same utill. and posted here as a warning to all.

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...threadid=35655 on Jan 17.

only just noticed Mazuko allready posted my thread.

just how i found out also THE HARD WAY!! the only option i were left with was a fresh install.

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mainman

I really dont understand we they keep on releasing this kinds of apps if all they do is more harm then good...

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jonis

Oh, that sounds scary... Not that I would ever try such a third party tweak any ways. My intuition tells me to steer clear of such like the plague

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