FinallyFast Exposed (aka FastAtLast)
Television Ads Promise Faster Downloads and Problem Free Computing
[update: Ascentive has reseased new versions, and we expose them too. See, New FinallyFast - Same Scam - Exposed!]
Loyal friends of this blog, and anyone who watches cable TV, will be aware of a *wonder product* for computers that goes by the names of FinallyFast and FastAtLast (and also, a very similar product, “Stop-Sign”). FinallyFast claims to increase your Internet speed by “up to 375%”, and “cure” all sorts of “computer errors” which can make your machine seem slow.
(click here to see the TV ad, if you haven’t already.)
You saw it here first!: I found a geeky friend who was willing to play the part of an “average consumer”, and go through the process of purchasing and installing FinallyFast on one of his machines (a squeaky clean XP system), so that we could determine if FinallyFast actually does improve performance in any measurable way.. And just generally learn more about Ascentive (the parent company).
He is a braver man than I.
To start the process, he did what anyone interested in FinallyFast would do– he went to the website and clicked on the “get a free scan” button.
The scan advised him to download the software PC SpeedScan Pro (see, “Have Your PC Running Like New” — Not!) which was 10.4* MB’s. He did. And he did install the program… (Though, he reported that the install was “glitchy”) and ran a scan. Here is a screenshot of the results.
As you can see, PC SpeedScan Pro 7.1.2 found 269 errors.. 262 of those errors it marked as “Severe”.
Scary stuff.
FinallyFast then advised that he also download PC ScanAndSweep 7.1.4.. so, he did. It too was 10.4 MB’s (hmmmm…) and looks very much like SpeedScan. In fact, just like SpeedScan with a tweak or two to the UI. (Maybe, like, .2 tweaks? 7.1.2 + .2 = 7.1.4)
It too produced some scary results.. basically, the same results.. 262 of them.
Now that this software has detected the “problems”, it was time for our intrepid reporter to click on the “Fix Now!” button.. so, he did.
He was taken to the secure purchasing page at finallyfast.com and told he really should buy BOTH programs — at $29.95 each. Which added together is almost $60 (heck, let’s just call it $60), and asked which credit card he wanted to use.
My reporter did not get that far. He was to0 busy trying to recover from a serious case of the ROTFLMAO attacks. Let me tell you why…
1) All this is, is a registry ‘optimizer’ (aka “cleaner”).
2) He knows enough Geek to know that: if he really had 54 “Class errors”, his machine wouldn’t run.
3) He knows enough Geek to know that: removing .2 Gigs of “temp” files will NOT affect his machine’s performance 1 (one) iota. If they’re even there. (remember, it was a squeaky clean machine. The files in question probably are left over from the two downloads, and should vanish at reboot.)
Besides.. the Windows Disk Cleanup tool is not only free, but has been a part of Windows since Win95 (see, More than you wanted to know about the Disk Cleanup Tool)
And, the safe and effective CCleaner will do this for you for free. As will the free Glary Utilities, or the free Advanced Windows Care, … and you won’t find user forums filled with complains of wrecked systems, if you should use one of those three.
Our conclusion: I will not accuse either of the two programs as giving false positives (I don’t have access to the machine). Ahem. I will not say that they won’t empty the temp files. I won’t say that PC ScanAndSweep is PC SpeedScan Pro with a make over, as I don’t have the source code. Ahem. (Selling the same product twice, just change the name?! Wow. Gutsy.)
But I will say that there is definite deceptive advertising here. I will say that buying either/both of these will NOT improve your Internet speed.
I will also say that this whole scheme is a rip off. Pure and simple.
Outrageous!
* A special tip of my geek hat to our fearless reporter – who took all the risks. I salute you, sir.
Copyright 2007-9 © Tech Paul. All rights reserved. post to jaanix
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About Tech Paul
Welcome to my blog. I am a CompTIA Certified computer technician, and the owner of Aplus Computer Aid. I offer my affordable and friendly services via remote control over the Web, or over the phone. My email is tech4everyone(at)gmail.com.
I regularly post how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice. Sometimes I will answer (your) specific questions in an article if I believe that it is generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see is my own, typos and all.
I do my very best to provide the best solutions and advice. I use only industry best practices, and reliable sources for my research. I strive to Do No Harm.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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Folks, this is not one of those "trick you into buying" free scans, but a scan that show what is running, and loaded to run (Startup folder, etc.). You can also click links to learn more about the files it finds. And, please, do a search before you decide something doesn't belong. 
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TechPaul,
Thank you for going the extra mile with this… As an information technology specialist, this article prompted me to explore even further… I too visited the site and found the following clause under their “Terms of Use” that is very unusual…
“You understand and agree that the Material is provided hereunder “AS IS” without warranty of any kind and that your use of the Material is at your sole discretion and risk. You shall be solely responsible for any damage to your network, software or computer system and any loss of data that may result from your use of the Site and/or the Material.”
I do not think I have ever seen a clause like that on a reputable software site…
Rick
You read the EULA?! That really is going the extra mile.
Thanks Rick.
Wow you guys are brave running that software. I have always been curious (mostly wondering how they are making those claims). Thanks for going the extra mile for the rest of us and braving the install!
As the Terms of Use thing that is actually not to odd for software Terms for some odd reason people still love to provide stuff without warranty I guess they are worried their software will break your computer?
Alpha_Cluster–
Yes, Registry “optimizers” can, and do, break machines (machines with multiple User accounts seem to be more susceptible to these ‘gotchas’).
I strongly recommend making a Registry backup (Export) before running one. Please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756 for the proper steps.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Wow. Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case. People need to know that it is difficult to believe everything the commercials say. Their opinions ARE biased!
Also, almost everything you need to keep your computer running properly can be found for free. Try going to the “computer guys” at the “big-box stores” to get a virus removed! You’ll pay like $50 an hour PLUS buying anti-virus software!
In my experience, some software companies offer guarantees if you are paying for it. Free software often comes with disclaimers. I suppose sometimes it is “operator malfunction” that causes problems and they don’t want to be held liable.
I think if someone’s not sure about something, they should do the research (check out the forums and even try googling the company to look for complaints or praises) or find a tech-savy friend who you trust to help.
Great job finding someone willing to try this out!
Tim–
Thank you. You make some very good points, and I agree with you. Though, I might argue you don’t go far enough (I have gotten to the point where I believe almost nothing I see on TV, for example).
Also, I too have a low opinion of the tech support at the “big-box stores”, but as an independent Support and Repair Technician, I can assure you that my (and people like me) training and experience are worth recompense… and I have spent a LOT of time undoing the damage cause by well-meaning “tech-savvy friends”! Sometimes.. you get what you pay for.
I agree that researching is a very important part of the decision making process, so I would like to remind my readers that hackers (and other morally bankrupt folks) create fake testimonials pages, and plant positive “reviews” in user forums, etc., and go to great lengths to make their scam believable. Only trust reviews from legitimate sources.
I took a look at your blog, and liked what I saw, so.. http://timmyjohnboy.com/
[...] For additional information on SpeedScan Pro, including actual test results, read TechPaul’s article FinallyFast Exposed (aka FastAtLast). [...]
TechPaul, you make an excellent argument for seeking out professional assistance when the tasks are outside one’s experience.
I am a “tech savvy friend”, of a sort, and I can count in the 100’s the number of botched machines I have had to deal with after technicians at the box stores had gotten their hands on. Independent technicians are well trained, certified and highly capable. Independent technicians should be a computer users first choice, when help is needed.
I don’t want to disagree with my friend Rick, but I don’t think I have ever read a EULA that didn’t say “if we blow up your world”, or similar, we are not liable, along with other objectionable wording.
Mr. Mullins,
Yes, I think you’re onto something there.. though I must confess, I don’t read EULA’s, I use EULAlyzer .. and then just usually go ahead and click Next anyway..).
In today’s sue-happy world, where ANY case – no matter how ludicrous – has to be tried (didn’t they used to dismiss cases as “frivolous??), you’d be nuts not to put in a such a disclaimer.. I think.
But with FinallyFast’s track record, I think Rick is pointing out this instance’s special meaning to the words.
The next time they run the ad, pay close attention to the part where the girl tries to access her email and it “blue screens” Look at her white laptop. In the first attempt the laptop has a brand label on the bezel. In her next attempt which it “Blue Screens”, the “same” laptop now has no label on the bezel. Magic? Don’t think so…..They can’t even run an honest ad….How sad indeed!
Good catch, Frank. I believe that “brand” is Apple.
Look at the title bar on the screenshot for PC ScanAndSweep.. says “October 2009 Edition”. Hmmm.. Futuristic?
@techpaul: From my experience, the prices at the big-box stores are astronomical compared to the local independent technicians, and they usually have less experience, etc.
I think different people have had different experiences with support options. For instance, it may depend on the experience of your “techie” friend, some have just enough knowledge to be dangerous. However, the same can go for IT personnel or technicians.
Also, you need to go to a professional you can trust not to rip you off. Like auto-repair shops, some are untrustworthy and want to squeeze money out of you.
As a tech, be someone people can trust and you’ll benefit in the long run!
Also, thanks for the link!
Tim–
Very good points, and valid.
In my personal experience, I am often told that I am “too generous” – but time has proven me right with loyal customers/clients.
(And.. being a born-and-bred Kallyfornyan.. I am sucker for that “what goes around comes around” um, er.. ‘belief system’.)
Ok, DUMB here, and I downloaded the Finally Fast free scan/scam and can’t delete it from my program files and the pc runs like s–t since the download. This is a 10 year old Gateway pc that runs on Windows98. Does anyone know of a fix to remove Finally Fast that will run on Windows98? I would appreciate any help at [deleted]. Thanks, Moe
Ps. I am in no way a pc wiz!!!
Moe —
You should be able to uninstall (different than “deleting”) Finally Fast simply by using Add/Remove Programs.. which is found in your Control Panel.
Get to the Control Panel by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel .. or just Start > Control Panel.. I can’t remember. It has been a very long time.
Add/Remove Programs should be the second icon.
Click it, and a list of the programs installed on the machine will “populate”. Find PC SpeedScan and click on it, then select “Uninstall” (it may say “Remove”..)
I simply must say that connecting a Windows 98 PC to the Internet is .. well, let’s just say that folks running Win98 are a hacker/cybercriminal’s favorite type. Microsoft stopped issuing critical security patches for that obsolete operating system years ago.
It’s way past time for a new computer.
Better is to use “Revo Uninstaller”, this will go the extra mile and uninstall and registry entries from that program, from your system.
I have to second that. I have reco’d Revo several times.
Sometimes, I just give the simple answers…