by Todd Rosen
First Aid 98 is the latest version of the best selling problem fixing PC software by Cybermedia. The new updated program is designed to find, diagnose, suggest, and fix problems automatically for PCs running Windows 95. It is not designed for DOS, WFW, Windows 98 or NT. It is especially helpful for new users who are worried about losing data, are not familiar with registry problems, add and remove software often or do not have adequate technical support. First Aid 98 provides a diagnostic system that can make your computer more productive.
First Aid 98 installs to the hard drive almost automatically; just insert the CD, click on Install and you’re on your way! Once installed, an excellent tutorial will start explaining the program and its many features. At the end of the tutorial, the PC will have a VB run time error (Ironic?) with the program. Don’t worry! The video explains that your first action with First Aid 98 should be to run the live auto-update. Your PC must have a working modem to download the updates. One of the updates F irst Aid 98 installs off the Internet is a fix for the VB run time error. Installation is quick, the visual appearance simple and the auto-update is a terrific feature to keep the program current.
First Aid 98 comes with a free trial version of Oil Change. Oil Change works as an add-in and is what automatically updates the program using Active-X. First Aid 98 keeps track of the last time you did an update, so keeping the program current is easy. First Aid 98 also comes with a free trial version of Uninstaller, MS Internet Explorer and 2 Internet service providers’ software.
At Boot up, First Aid 98 runs transparently on your PC using a Knowledge Base (like Microsoft Support uses) database to monitor the system and intercept potential problems. The application monitor watches over 10,000 applications for missing or conflict ing DLL files. With First Aid 98’s auto update feature, the Knowledge Base database is constantly learning to help improve the performance of your PC. First Aid 98 also has a built in anti-virus program to help eliminate virus problems and a Guardian c rash protector program to help reduce the chance of your PC locking up and data being lost. Guardian crash protector works many (not all) times saving data using CPR, First Aid 98’s Computer Program Reactivator. Guardian also helps detect hard drive fa ilures in advance of problems with S.M.A.R.T., Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. Just by turning your PC on, First Aid 98 becomes a powerful tool.
Double clicking to start the First Aid 98 interface menu program however, gives you even better tools. With just one button, First Aid 98 checks your entire PC for hardware and software problems. The program searches for Critical Problems, Potential Pr oblems and Performance Issues. The menu is an image of a desktop where you can double click on a picture of whatever you want checked (Monitor, printer, CPU, everything, etc.). It is user friendly and even has bubble help that you can turn on or off. The Option menu lets you undo changes that have been made using BackTrack. The menu also lets you access a list of problems diagnosed by the First Aid Check-Up and allows for the customization of these Check-Up settings. The Help menu allows you to acc ess basic help and various tutorial videos from the CD. The “How Do I….” videos are super for new users, covering many hardware and software installation examples and setting adjustments. The Tech Support Yellow Pages can save research time by having v endor information at your fingertips. The Glossary and Frequently Asked Question sections can save you frustration by having good information that is current for your PC. With an Internet connection, First Aid 98 even has support on the Web. Using the Help menu is like taking a trip to a small library.
First Aid is a best selling program for good reason. Tested on five machines, First Aid 98 found problems on all five machines. First Aid 98 did not find all of the problems that were wrong with the 5 PCs. It also did not fix all of the problems that i t found. If you need Bactine for your PC, Cybermedia’s First Aid 98 is a good value and a good choice. It is a great safety measure! If, however, you are having major PC problems and might need surgery, hire a professional, not a program.
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