Long live your software! That's the goal of First Aid 95 Deluxe. The previous version of First Aid 95 diagnosed PC problems, such as missing drivers, then recommended remedies. The Deluxe version goes the extra step of treating the problem. Using the new CyberFix technology, First Aid 95 Deluxe grabs information off the Internet to update software-keeping your software relevant much longer. The program also makes it easier to install new hardware by finding compatible drivers and DLLs.

First Aid 95 Deluxe upgrades itself. Clicking on Update First Aid launches your Web browser and connects you to CyberMedia's Web server. If you need new files, they are automatically downloaded and installed on your PC. One click will send First Aid 95 Deluxe to download and install the Microsoft Windows 95 Service Pack.

$59.95 (street)
CyberMedia
800-721-7824, 310-581-4700

Helix Software claims that Hurricane 2.0 for Windows 95 is a Windows 95 RAM compression utility that really works.

Hurricane 2.0's RAM Expander feature employs unused hidden memory for a compression buffer, so it takes no RAM away from the system. It shares memory between applications and the disk cache, print spooler and RAM drive so your applications have more memory when needed.

You can control compression at an application level. Press the Pack button to minimize and compress the application. The program decompresses when accessed. By keeping active programs minimized, you use less than half the usual amount of RAM.

$50 (street); free upgrade for registered users
Helix Software
800-451-0551, 718-392-3100

The CheckIt Diagnostic Kit suite includes WINCheckIt Pro for customized Windows troubleshooting; the CheckIt 4 DOS hardware testing and configuration analysis utility; a PC memory test application; a CD-ROM four-volume technical reference library; and CheckIt Tools. The suite troubleshoots Windows and DOS problems, detects changes in hardware, setup and system files, diagnoses modem problems, cleans up files to clear disk space, and uninstalls and archives unwanted apps.

$129 (street)
TouchStone Software Corp.
800-531-0450, 714-969-7746

MacOpener 2.0 lets you transparently use Mac diskettes if you're running Windows. The new version's Windows 95 driver lets you access Macintosh media from anywhere on your PC. You can preview Mac text and graphic files with the MacOpener File Navigator. It's even possible to format Mac disks by right-clicking or using the included MacFormat program. The program also runs under Windows 3.1x and NT.

$49.95 (street)
DataViz
800-733-0030, 203-268-0030

Jot-it 2.1 takes note-making to the next level. It lets you attach notes directly to any Web page, make URL shortcuts, and attach voice and sound to the notes. You can store notes on Web pages, documents, dialog boxes and menus. Jot-it keeps track of a note's location, and the note will appear every time you return to the place where it's stored.

$39.95
Evergreen International Technology
800-667-4340, 604-986-6121

Keep your spell-checking dictionaries up-to-date with InWords 1.5 and SciWords 1.5. InWords adds 27,000 new words and 13,000 terms from the business, technology, financial, insurance and legal fields to your Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSuite or Corel WordPerfect apps. SciWords dictionaries come in versions for biology, agriculture, chemistry, environmental science, technology and biochemistry.

InWords, $19.95 (direct);
SciWords, $69.95 per dictionary (direct)
Inso Corp.
800-333-1395, 312-329-0700