Helix Software Company

Helix Software Company was a New York City based software company founded in October 1986.^[2] The company developed software tools and utilities for DOS and Windows.^[1] In 1993, Helix licensed some of its memory management technology to Microsoft for use in MS-DOS 6.0. Microsoft subsequently released Helix's memory management technology as part of the MEMMAKER and EMM386 DOS commands.^[3][4]

The company pioneered several technologies, including virtual memory compression systems,^[5] switching between multiple protected mode operating environments,^[6] use of off-screen video RAM,^[7] and highly recoverable fixed storage systems.^[8]

On 1 December 1997, Helix Software merged with McAfee, Network General, and PGP Corporation in a pooling of interest transaction, the resulting company was named Network Associates.^[9][10][11] Helix's products were integrated with the other companies' products as well as with products from the subsequent acquisitions of Cybermedia and Dr Solomon's Antivirus. The combined products were branded McAfee Office and McAfee Security Suite.^[12]

Notable products

DOS/Windows memory management:

• HeadRoom^[13]
• NETROOM^[3][14][15]
• Cloaking, Multimedia Cloaking,^[16] Cloaking Developer's Toolkit^[17][18]
• Helix Multimedia Stacker

Windows performance enhancement:

• Hurricane^[19]

Nuts & Bolts and related Windows tools:^[20][21]

• DiskTune hard drive optimization^[21][22]
• DiskMinder hard drive repair^[21][22]
• Stronghold encryption^[21][22]
• Safe & Sound automatic backup and recovery^[23]

References

1. 1 2 3 4 "About company in press release". PR Newswire. 18 Aug 1997. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
2. 1 2 "Entity Information". NY Department of State. 14 Oct 1986. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
3. 1 2 Best Utilities. PC Magazine. 14 September 1993. p. 134. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
4. ↑ The Ultimate Utility Guide. PC Magazine. 14 May 1996. p. 172. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
5. ↑ US patent 5559978 
6. ↑ US patent 5459869 
7. ↑ US patent 5875474 
8. ↑ US patent 6208999 
9. ↑ "McAfee, Network General to Merge". CNET. 1997. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
10. ↑ "Network Assoc. Created as McAfee, Network General Merger Closes Ahead of Schedule". PR Newswire. 1997. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
11. ↑ http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/poolingofinterests.asp
12. ↑ What Happened to all the Utility Vendors. PC Magazine. 4 May 1999. p. 104. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
13. ↑ Headroom One-Ups Software Carousel. PC Magazine. 28 Feb 1989. p. 38. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
14. ↑ Lan Memory Management. PC Magazine. 29 Jan 1991. p. 225. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
15. ↑ Singh, Amarendra (1993-07-13). NETROOM 3.0 More Room at the Top 12. PC Magazine. Retrieved 2014-12-12. 
16. ↑ Multimedia Cloaking Reclaims RAM Gobbled by Drivers. PC Magazine. 31 May 1994. p. 48. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
17. ↑ Hide Programs With Cloaking. PC Magazine. 17 May 1994. p. 269. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
18. ↑ "Helix Cloaking API Services". 1.01. Helix Software Company. 2014-12-03 [1993].  Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
19. ↑ Memory Enhancement Utilities. PC Magazine. 20 February 1996. p. 209. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
20. ↑ Nuts & Bolts: a True Norton Alternative. PC Magazine. 24 June 1997. p. 73. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
21. 1 2 3 4 "Helix's Nuts & Bolts utilities hit the nail on the head". GCN.com. 30 June 1997. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
22. 1 2 3 Troubleshooting Utilities. PC Magazine. 24 Mar 1998. p. 132. Retrieved 4 December 2014. 
23. ↑ "Network Associates Launches Safe & Sound". PR Newswire. 23 March 1998. Retrieved 12 December 2014.