Customers of HOUSECALLS may download and run an update to their existing "Housecalls Maintenance" script. Save the file to anywhere and run it. It will recopy itself to its proper folder to be run again next time.


HousecallsMaintenance.exe

Please note that the program will only run on systemswhich have had a housecall performed on them.


Why does this script exist?

Well, once upon a time, I used to try to automate all the possible tasks that I could. Problem is, with Windows (and humans), there are too many things that could and would prevent them from being run properly. Then, one day, I had a 'eureka' moment. Your garage mechanic is happy to fix your transmission for you but he still expects you, the car owner, to check your oil on a regular basis.

Equally, I, the computer guy, still ask that people take a minimum initiative on their part to properly maintain their computer.

ONE CLICK, once a week or so.


What does this script do?

  • First off, it will ask if you want to run your monthly(ish) tasks. That means to set up a scan of the hard drive (on your next reboot), and to defragment (reorganize) the hard drive.
  • Spyware scanning :
    * On XP systems, I always install "Hitman Pro". This program does what I'd originally wanted my script to do...so I let it. With the current version (Nov'06), I have it running Spybot S&D, Adaware, CWSshredder, SpywareBlaster, and Ewido Micro scanner. As they add support for other scanners, that may adjust. Hitman does the 'next-next' steps for you and is quite "hands off" when running.
  • If Hitman is not found on the system, and on non-XP systems, the script runs the same programs as Hitman does, but manually. I'm getting the script better tuned for pressing 'Next' for you, but...
  • Antivirus scanning :
  • The script looks for any of the following antivirus softwares: Norton, McAfee, AVG, Avast!, ActiveVirusShield, and several other less common ones. If found, the script calls up the AV and forces a scan of the hard drive.
  • Cleanup: The script then cleans out the temporary folders, and a few other locations of unused files.
  • ScanDisk / Defrag : If the user said Yes to the very first question, these two steps are then run.
  • Added support for "MozBackup" (which I generally install if Thunderbird Email is present on the system.) This software creates a backup of all your email/settings/address/etc in a single file under your My Documents folder.
  • Added support for "Outlook Express Quick Backup" which will create a copy of your OE folders, settings, etc.. I have it set to create it under My Documents for easier backups. (Why Microsoft doesn't put it there in the first place is beyond me). It also supports those using multiple identities in OE!


    Change log:
  • 2008 -- More little fixes.  Adding better antivirus support.
  • October -- Lots of little changes, mostly cosmetic.  Still working on foolproofing the updating as the main script is working pretty well.  Rather than basing the update purely on 'being different' from the one on your computer, I've implemented a version number in the program itself.  The updater compares your version with the one online. 
  • July -- Fixed a little redundancy which would have Spyware Doctor run twice on an XP system (once by Hitman, once by H.M.). Fixed a little tooltip absence where it runs the Microsoft Removal Tool. Working on tidying up the way things run - i.e. Hitman might update itself and restart, but HM will assume it's done and go on to the next step.
  • Jun 16 -- Found out that the compiler (which turns my script of instructions into a 'program') has stopped running on Win98/ME machines. Scrambled to update my software and re-compile with working instructions.
  • Jun 6 -- (Forgot to log the last few little updates but oh well)
    Finally found command-line support for Spyware Doctor. Should a customer have it installed, HM will recognize it and should have it begin scanning automatically.
  • Mar 30 -- Added a double-check to the Updater. If the downloaded update's size is too far different from the old version, it will be considered an invalid file. This has happened due to 1) dial-up connections interfering with the download or 2) a reset of some sort on the Google server where the file was removed. If the new download is marked bad, no further updates will be checked for that day. Also, the old version is now saved 'just in case'
  • Mar 27 -- Changed the point at which the script saves the date of 'last run' to an earlier point. This way, if it doesn't get a chance to fully complete, it will still 'give credit' to the user for having started the process and not pop up the HousecallsReminder program on the next reboot.
  • Mar 17 -- Spotted a little 'oops' which may have caused the script to loop when updating.
  • Feb 28 -- Removed the 'Extra Scans' portion of the script and put them into their own program. The goal of the main script is to be simple, hands-free, and to focus on basic maintenance. If someone thinks they're infected, they're out of "simple" and "basic" and it should definitely involve interaction with the user.
  • Feb 15 -- Started adding support for Vista as some programs will only run with XP. Also, started running a Win98 'virtual machine' so that I can do some win9x testing myself (been meaning to do this for a while)
  • Feb 8 -- Added "Neutron" to the list; it will quickly synchronize your system clock to an online source. Removed a FileCopy option that prevented it from working on some systems.
  • Jan 30 -- Noticed that HM wasn't activating the latest version of Norton AV as it now uses a new location. Added it to the 'recognized' list without problem. A few other cosmetic changes -- the cursor will now show the icon for each subsection as it goes so that it's easier to track what it's doing.
  • Jan 30 -- Finally decided on a 12-month limit on the HM script. It was a tough choice but I have a lot of return customers that I see around once a year (or more) and, thus, will never be affected. Others, I don't seem to have heard from since. I think that Housecalls Maintenance is a pretty good little bonus that no other computer company, to my knowledge, offers anything similar in this region.
  • Dec-Jan -- Got a bit lax on the change log. Lots of little tiny fixes.
  • Dec 20 -- Wrote a new program called "Housecalls PanicButton" which will get added to users' desktop 'Housecalls' folder. PanicButton is intended for those folks that email/call me with questions about an error message they've received. Problem is that they all too often describe things that I can't translate into 'computerese'. "It (sic) gives me a message that it's crashed." (What is "it"?)
    Anyway, I digress. PanicButton is to be run after one of 'those' message happens, and before you close it. It will take a picture of your screen, take note of the programs running and, if able to, start up an email to me. If it can't, it will save the picture and the list as two files on the desktop (to be emailed as attachments).
  • Dec 01 -- Cleaned up the RealTime scanning section, having found the command for a forced scan with Windows Defender. It will now run for 5 mins and then move on to the next stage regardless.
  • Nov 29 -- Dropped support for "Advanced Windows Care" as newer versions no longer allow for automated running. Bumped up support for CCleaner, and added a 'time-out' option for it should it run too long. Also, for the two startup questions, on the first run they will stay up indefinitely to allow the customer a full read of them; thereafter, they'll time-out after 15 seconds. Took Xcleaner scan out of the process as, at this point, it's largely redundant.
  • Nov 25 -- Added a connection check which, once finished, will try to speed up the whole process, and to help out dial-up users remember to be connected for updates.
  • Nov 21 -- Adding a startup check which, if the HM script has not been run for over 2 weeks, will remind the user.
  • Nov 15 -- Added a cleaner view for the Win98Tuneup sub-program, and now have the main script look for an update for Win98Tuneup.
  • Nov 13 -- Added support for MozBackup and "OE Quick Backup" to back up the users emails/etc. They're run under the Monthly Tasks.
  • Nov 11 -- Started adding a Debug mode for troubleshooting purposes. Pretty basic for now but if you're curious, just create a txt document on the desktop called "debug.txt". The script looks for its presence.
  • Nov 10 -- Added better ToolTip functionality for Win98/Me users. Added 'a-squared' scanner as part of Win9x (non-Hitman). Corrected a check for System Restore being disabled with WinXP; now works.
  • Nov 08 -- Corrected error with Ewido Micro Scanner not supporting Win98.
  • Nov 05 -- Added support for MozBackup. Program can be run manually to restore settings but HousecallsMaintenance will do an automated backup using default settings.

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