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#16
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Registry Cleanup
ballelars wrote:
Bruce, this is good information. However, how does one get to know which changes are to be made in the registry using regedit? Generally, by carefully following the instructions provided in relevant Knowledge Base Articles, etc. It's a learning process. At present my Help and Support, and my System restore etc. do not function - could this be due to registry problems? Possibly. If I remember correctly, when WinXP was first released, there was one registry "cleaner" whose use invariably caused this very problem. Can't remember the name of it, though.... Don't even know if it's still on the market. When I click Help in the popup start menu I get a message that Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe' - I have located it to C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpctr.exe - so why can't Windows find it there? That makes it sounds like your Path Statement is screwed up, and lacking the normal entries for WinXP's system folders. Therefoe, WinXP doesn't know how to find the applications. It should look something like this: %SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\Sy stem32\Wbem To edit the Path, right-click My Computer Properties Advanced Environmental Variables. In the System Variables windows, highlight "Path" and click the Edit button. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
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#17
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Registry Cleanup
BobN wrote:
On Mon, 2 Oct 2006 13:01:03 -0700, ballelars wrote: Bruce, this is good information. However, how does one get to know which changes are to be made in the registry using regedit? At present my Help and Support, and my System restore etc. do not function - could this be due to registry problems? When I click Help in the popup start menu I get a message that Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe' - I have located it to C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpctr.exe - so why can't Windows find it there? "Bruce Chambers" wrote: Flowerlady wrote: How do I do a registry cleanup? I seem to have bits and pieces of old programs, that have been uninstalled, in my pc. I would like to clean it up. Why do you think you need to clean your registry? What specific *problems* are you actually experiencing (not some program's bogus listing of imaginary problems) that you think can be fixed by using a registry cleaner? If you do have a problem that is rooted in the registry, it would be far better to simply edit (after backing up, of course) only the specific key(s) and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. After all, why use a chainsaw when a scalpel will do the job? Additionally, the manually changing of one or two registry entries is far less likely to have the dire consequences of allowing an automated product to make multiple changes simultaneously. The registry contains all of the operating system's "knowledge" of the computer's hardware devices, installed software, the location of the device drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the registry can have severe consequences. One should not even turning loose a poorly understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully confident that he knows *exactly* what is going to happen as a result of each and every change. Having seen the results of inexperienced people using automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the most experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all. Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not safe in the hands of the inexperienced user. The only thing needed to safely clean your registry is knowledge and Regedit.exe. If you lack the knowledge and experience to maintain your registry by yourself, then you also lack the knowledge and experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner, no matter how safe they claim to be. Further, no one has ever demonstrated, to my satisfaction, that the use of an automated registry cleaner, particularly by an untrained, inexperienced computer user, does any real good. There's certainly been no empirical evidence offered to demonstrate that the use of such products to "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's performance or stability. I always use Regedit.exe. I trust my own experience and judgment far more than I would any automated registry cleaner. I strongly encourage others to acquire the knowledge, as well. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell Forget regedit. That is the worst advice that can be given to a computer user. Not one person in 100 can safely use regedit for exactly the reason you mention. What exactly do you do? There are several free registry cleaners availble. Install and run. You do not have to do anything. Take a look at the results. Then you can post with further questions. Are you deliberately trying to destroy someone's computer? If a computer user lacks the knowledge and experience to maintain his/her registry by him/herself, then he/she also lacks the knowledge and experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
#18
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Registry Cleanup
Hi Bruce - that's exactly how the path looks when I check it - som the
problem must lie elsewhere. Rest assured: I am NOT going to make further cleansing of my registry. "Bruce Chambers" wrote: ballelars wrote: Bruce, this is good information. However, how does one get to know which changes are to be made in the registry using regedit? Generally, by carefully following the instructions provided in relevant Knowledge Base Articles, etc. It's a learning process. At present my Help and Support, and my System restore etc. do not function - could this be due to registry problems? Possibly. If I remember correctly, when WinXP was first released, there was one registry "cleaner" whose use invariably caused this very problem. Can't remember the name of it, though.... Don't even know if it's still on the market. When I click Help in the popup start menu I get a message that Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe' - I have located it to C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpctr.exe - so why can't Windows find it there? That makes it sounds like your Path Statement is screwed up, and lacking the normal entries for WinXP's system folders. Therefoe, WinXP doesn't know how to find the applications. It should look something like this: %SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\Sy stem32\Wbem To edit the Path, right-click My Computer Properties Advanced Environmental Variables. In the System Variables windows, highlight "Path" and click the Edit button. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
#19
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Registry Cleanup
On Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:12:39 -0600, Bruce Chambers wrote:
BobN wrote: On Mon, 2 Oct 2006 13:01:03 -0700, ballelars wrote: Bruce, this is good information. However, how does one get to know which changes are to be made in the registry using regedit? At present my Help and Support, and my System restore etc. do not function - could this be due to registry problems? When I click Help in the popup start menu I get a message that Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe' - I have located it to C:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpctr.exe - so why can't Windows find it there? "Bruce Chambers" wrote: Flowerlady wrote: How do I do a registry cleanup? I seem to have bits and pieces of old programs, that have been uninstalled, in my pc. I would like to clean it up. Why do you think you need to clean your registry? What specific *problems* are you actually experiencing (not some program's bogus listing of imaginary problems) that you think can be fixed by using a registry cleaner? If you do have a problem that is rooted in the registry, it would be far better to simply edit (after backing up, of course) only the specific key(s) and/or value(s) that are causing the problem. After all, why use a chainsaw when a scalpel will do the job? Additionally, the manually changing of one or two registry entries is far less likely to have the dire consequences of allowing an automated product to make multiple changes simultaneously. The registry contains all of the operating system's "knowledge" of the computer's hardware devices, installed software, the location of the device drivers, and the computer's configuration. A misstep in the registry can have severe consequences. One should not even turning loose a poorly understood automated "cleaner," unless he is fully confident that he knows *exactly* what is going to happen as a result of each and every change. Having seen the results of inexperienced people using automated registry "cleaners," I can only advise all but the most experienced computer technicians (and/or hobbyists) to avoid them all. Experience has shown me that such tools simply are not safe in the hands of the inexperienced user. The only thing needed to safely clean your registry is knowledge and Regedit.exe. If you lack the knowledge and experience to maintain your registry by yourself, then you also lack the knowledge and experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner, no matter how safe they claim to be. Further, no one has ever demonstrated, to my satisfaction, that the use of an automated registry cleaner, particularly by an untrained, inexperienced computer user, does any real good. There's certainly been no empirical evidence offered to demonstrate that the use of such products to "clean" WinXP's registry improves a computer's performance or stability. I always use Regedit.exe. I trust my own experience and judgment far more than I would any automated registry cleaner. I strongly encourage others to acquire the knowledge, as well. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell Forget regedit. That is the worst advice that can be given to a computer user. Not one person in 100 can safely use regedit for exactly the reason you mention. What exactly do you do? There are several free registry cleaners availble. Install and run. You do not have to do anything. Take a look at the results. Then you can post with further questions. Are you deliberately trying to destroy someone's computer? If a computer user lacks the knowledge and experience to maintain his/her registry by him/herself, then he/she also lacks the knowledge and experience to safely configure and use any automated registry cleaner With help from you, the problem will never be solved. The many millions of us, yes millions, who use registry cleaners fortunately are not dependant upon people like you who provide no solutions to solving registry problems. Registry cleaners are a better solution than doing nothing or using regedit. |
#20
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Registry Cleanup
BobN wrote:
With help from you, the problem will never be solved. The many millions of us, yes millions, who use registry cleaners fortunately are not dependant upon people like you who provide no solutions to solving registry problems. How is telling the OP to learn to safely edit the registry *not* providing a lasting solution? Registry cleaners are a better solution than doing nothing or using regedit. Well, I will admit that I do derive a steady, comfortable income repairing the machines on which those alleged "millions" have foolishly used registry cleaners. So, from that point of view, I guess one could say that they're "good." -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
#21
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Registry Cleanup
On Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:01:47 -0600, Bruce Chambers wrote:
BobN wrote: With help from you, the problem will never be solved. The many millions of us, yes millions, who use registry cleaners fortunately are not dependant upon people like you who provide no solutions to solving registry problems. How is telling the OP to learn to safely edit the registry *not* providing a lasting solution? Did you tell him exactly HOW to "learn to safely edit the registry?" Registry cleaners are a better solution than doing nothing or using regedit. Well, I will admit that I do derive a steady, comfortable income repairing the machines on which those alleged "millions" have foolishly used registry cleaners. So, from that point of view, I guess one could say that they're "good." Sure you do. |
#22
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Registry Cleanup
BobN wrote:
Did you tell him exactly HOW to "learn to safely edit the registry?" Yes, in fact. Sure you do. Yes, I do. In fact, if I had less of a conscience, I'd advice people to use registry cleaners; they're that good a revenue generator. (In fact, that's the only reason I can imagine any experienced technician ever advising their use to the average user.) -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
#23
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Registry Cleanup
"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message ... BobN wrote: Did you tell him exactly HOW to "learn to safely edit the registry?" Yes, in fact. Sure you do. Yes, I do. In fact, if I had less of a conscience, I'd advice people to use registry cleaners; they're that good a revenue generator. (In fact, that's the only reason I can imagine any experienced technician ever advising their use to the average user.) -- Bruce Chambers snip Although you are correct that the benefits of running a Registry Cleaner in WINXP are doubtful, I certainly do not agree with you over your blanket statements that suggest they will damage the Registry in a catastrophic way to leave the machine 'unbootable'. You make this statement at regular intervals but as far as I know, have not offered any evidence other than 'in your experience'. It appears that other peoples opinion differ. Individual cases prove nothing. I have had one case where a particular program required an empty key that the 'Cleaner' I used would recommend to delete. That was hardly catastrophic as the OS certainly was not damaged and once that 'problem' was known it was simple to avoid. If you can cite a specific case, say Product X when run on WINXP Home will result in the following problem with the OS then your criticisms will have credibility. That is please cite a problem caused by a Registry Cleaner that results in damage to the OS and can be replicated on otherr machines. Better still please provide the names of Registry Cleaner programs that when installed on a machine with only WINXP installed will damage the Registry to the extent the machine will no longer boot or remain functional. We will agree that the Registry Cleaner will no doubt suggest removal of a large number of Registry entries but maybe expereinec has shown these entries are not required anyway. |
#24
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Registry Cleanup
On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:04:05 -0600, Bruce Chambers wrote:
BobN wrote: Did you tell him exactly HOW to "learn to safely edit the registry?" Yes, in fact. Sure you do. Yes, I do. In fact, if I had less of a conscience, I'd advice people to use registry cleaners; they're that good a revenue generator. (In fact, that's the only reason I can imagine any experienced technician ever advising their use to the average user.) Your presumptive arrogance has become more than tedious. Since you do not use these programs, what gives you the right to say anything about them? Literally millions of people use these programs without ill effect. Your canned cant about using regedit is ridiculous for the vast majority of users. They would be much better off and safer to use registry cleaners that have been used for many years. |
#25
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Registry Cleanup
Edward W. Thompson wrote:
Although you are correct that the benefits of running a Registry Cleaner in WINXP are doubtful, I certainly do not agree with you over your blanket statements that suggest they will damage the Registry in a catastrophic way to leave the machine 'unbootable'. I've never made such a blanket claim. They won't always leave the machine unbootable, but they sometimes do. They don't always cause a problem at all. But, because they provide absolutely *NO* bwenefit, why take the chance? You make this statement at regular intervals .... Because the question is asked frequently... but as far as I know, have not offered any evidence other than 'in your experience'. What better evidense is there then years of first-hand observation? It appears that other peoples opinion differ. A very few people, yes, and they're free to express their opinions. (Although I will submit that I've never met an experienced, knowledgeable technician who recommends that the average user use registry "cleaners.") Individual cases prove nothing. I have had one case where a particular program required an empty key that the 'Cleaner' I used would recommend to delete. That was hardly catastrophic as the OS certainly was not damaged and once that 'problem' was known it was simple to avoid. Ah! One (worthless, by your own description) example of a registry cleaner causing a problem, which fortunately wasn't catastrophic. What's your point, then, if "individual cases prove nothing?" If you can cite a specific case, say Product X when run on WINXP Home will result in the following problem with the OS then your criticisms will have credibility. That is please cite a problem caused by a Registry Cleaner that results in damage to the OS and can be replicated on otherr machines. Better still please provide the names of Registry Cleaner programs that when installed on a machine with only WINXP installed will damage the Registry to the extent the machine will no longer boot or remain functional. We will agree that the Registry Cleaner will no doubt suggest removal of a large number of Registry entries but maybe expereinec has shown these entries are not required anyway. I never claimed that every registry cleaner caused problems, catastrophic or otherwise, every single time. That's your misinterpretation. I simply warn people that the potential for trouble is there, and not worth the risk, as registry cleaners are no better than snake oil. If you want a list of registry cleaners that do absolutely no good, and have the potential for causing harm to the OS, use Google; I've better things to do then copy the list for you. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
#26
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Registry Cleanup
Mr Bruce:
Your advise to avoid Registry Cleaner software is sound, especially for people who are not initiated in the mysteries of the Windows XP registry. I suggest people wanting to use registry cleaner software first run regedit, look up all the huge data stored there, then decide for themselves if they would like to invite a stranger do the cleanup. Probably if they find the stranger having proper credentials, they may just decide to let him do his job. You may just leave your contact number floating around for them to make the next call. Actually, if a person is not in the habit of installing and uninstalling programs, he doesn't need a registry cleaner. But if he does test software and discard them in quick succession, then probably he knows how to safely run a registry cleaner. What they will really benefit from is when they install a good and free anti-virus program like Avast! that will prevent all sorts of malacious websites from installing rogue programs on the system - that will in turn need registry cleaners after they are removed. |
#27
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Registry Cleanup
"Flowerlady" wrote: How do I do a registry cleanup? I seem to have bits and pieces of old programs, that have been uninstalled, in my pc. I would like to clean it up. -- Flowerlady |
#28
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Registry Cleanup
On Mon, 12 May 2008 01:11:01 -0700, farshid wrote:
"Flowerlady" wrote: How do I do a registry cleanup? I seem to have bits and pieces of old programs, that have been uninstalled, in my pc. I would like to clean it up. AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner? http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 Note the comments from Mark Russinovich and the reference concerning ERUNT. This should clean up yor OS: CCleaner - Free Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application MRUs, etc. ... http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities uncheck "Windows Defender". Download David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL: http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp English: http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...irus-for-free/ To use this utility, perform the following... Execute; Multi_AV.exe {Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS} Choose; Unzip Choose; Close Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT {or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS} NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files. C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- {or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS} This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode. This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site. The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC. You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode. When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help file. Additional Instructions: http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm |
#29
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Registry Cleanup
"Flowerlady" wrote: How do I do a registry cleanup? I seem to have bits and pieces of old programs, that have been uninstalled, in my pc. I would like to clean it up. -- Flowerlady As a good general rule - you don't. If there is some bit or piece command of an uninstalled program in the Registry that you KNOW is causing a specific problem (doubtful) use Regedit to find all references to it, and delete each one manually. But it's very rare to even have to do that. Think of it this way: You "deleted" a blouse from your clothes closet, but a button from the blouse is still on the top shelf of your closest. It is hurting *nothing*, it is taking up almost *zero* space - ignore it. The difference is, if you do throw that button out, you can't hurt anything. If you go looking for stray buttons - or use a program to find the stray buttons - in the Registry, you can very easily hurt a lot of things (even hose your computer). Don't mess with "Registry Cleaners" Tony ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#30
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Registry Cleanup
microsoft recommends
this one and i as well: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/a...leaner_why.htm -- db·´¯`·...¸)))º "farshid" wrote in message ... "Flowerlady" wrote: How do I do a registry cleanup? I seem to have bits and pieces of old programs, that have been uninstalled, in my pc. I would like to clean it up. -- Flowerlady |
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