Fixing up the window's registry

Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....
When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions

I would strongly advise against buying either of them. Registry
cleaners are definitely NOT for the beginner. They may present
information that, to you, sounds logical, but can really mess up a
system. There are much better ways to speed up a system but, not
knowing what "very slow" actually means. Can you give us some examples
of what you mean?

GP

---
Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....
When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions

This is such an old topic. No one has ever demonstrated with
before-and-after data that using a registry cleaner has any value, but
these newsgroups are littered with posts crying about the damage that
this or that registry cleaner has done, usually irreversable.

To keep your computer running well at all times do these three things:

1- Learn how to use it wisely.
2- Learn how to maintain it.
3- Keep it free from malware.

Of course, this takes more time than installing a registry cleaner and
pressing the 'Go' button. But it's the one sure way to keep your system
running well.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

Stanley wrote:
Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....
When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions

Well it started off after the fresh install with an error "self registered or
unregistered flash.ocr file.
Now its giving some errors about macromedia and then it recommends adobe
flash player etc
The scan's also say something about invalid or missing file names and
allocations.
when the system boots it takes forever and when it shuts down it takes
forever.


"Grand_Poobah" wrote:

I would strongly advise against buying either of them. Registry
cleaners are definitely NOT for the beginner. They may present
information that, to you, sounds logical, but can really mess up a
system. There are much better ways to speed up a system but, not
knowing what "very slow" actually means. Can you give us some examples
of what you mean?

GP

---
Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....
When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions

Macromedia was the old company that Adobe got Flash from. On the Adobe
site is a "flash remover" program. I downloaded it quite a while ago so
I don't know for sure if it is even available any more, but I did use it
to remove "flash player". It did a great job and stopped the occasional
"can't find ......." that referenced the Flash player. Then, after
removing it, I got a good, fresh copy of the Adobe version (which
replaced the old Macromedia version) and installed it. No more problems.

The "scan's" you are talking about appear to be something different and
may be an indication that your hard drive has some difficulties, or your
re-installation didn't go as well as it could have.

GP

---
Well it started off after the fresh install with an error "self registered or
unregistered flash.ocr file.
Now its giving some errors about macromedia and then it recommends adobe
flash player etc
The scan's also say something about invalid or missing file names and
allocations.
when the system boots it takes forever and when it shuts down it takes
forever.


"Grand_Poobah" wrote:

I would strongly advise against buying either of them. Registry
cleaners are definitely NOT for the beginner. They may present
information that, to you, sounds logical, but can really mess up a
system. There are much better ways to speed up a system but, not
knowing what "very slow" actually means. Can you give us some examples
of what you mean?

GP

---
Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....
When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions

I tried programs for quite a while so that my registry was full of rests
of install keys that were not properly uninstalled.
I bought a Advanced Registry Cleaner from www.Systweak.com and it
resulted in a visible speeding of the start. It never killed anything
what it should not have done.

Today I use the free CCleaner which does not find every useless reg
entry but it never did any bad reg cleaning. I prefer a "softer" that a
"hard" one that mixes my pc up.

Of course you should only use a reg cleaner that allows to backup the
registry before it starts its cleaning.

So, don't buy but try a freeware that is well recommended.

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes
unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and
freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your
online activities such as your Internet history.

Changes in version 2.07.575:

* Firefox 3.0 support added.
* Fixed bug where figures were missing for KB/MB sizes.
* Fixed bug where some IE cookies were being missed.
* Improved scan time accuracy.
* Internal memory management improvements.
* Registry settings moved to HKCU\Software\Piriform\CCleaner.
* Fixed bug where CC could get locked in System Tray.
* Renamed MSN Messenger to Windows Live Messenger.
* Added MS Office Picture Manager to applications.
* Fixed uninstaller tool bug on 64-bit OS.
* Minor GUI improvements.
* Minor bug fixes.

Download:
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds

Cheers
ft

Grand_Poobah wrote:
I would strongly advise against buying either of them. Registry
cleaners are definitely NOT for the beginner. They may present
information that, to you, sounds logical, but can really mess up a
system. There are much better ways to speed up a system but, not
knowing what "very slow" actually means. Can you give us some
examples of what you mean?

GP

---
Hi I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system
and decided to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the
same situation.... When googling the performance of machine it was
suggested that I purchase either a program called "reg cure" or "pc
mechanic". Both sites guarentee to fix the windows registry (which I
know Jack about) and boost the sytem performance and and and.
problem is... I don't know which program to buy firstly, and second
is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any advise or
suggestions

Stanley wrote:
Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and
decided to do a fresh install.

What exact method did you use for the "fresh install." I ask because
it's possible you may have done it incorrectly.

Two days later I am stuck in the same
situation.... When googling the performance of machine it was
suggested that I purchase either a program called "reg cure" or "pc
mechanic". Both sites guarentee to fix the windows registry (which I
know Jack about) and boost the sytem performance and and and.
problem is... I don't know which program to buy firstly, and second
is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any advise or
suggestions

It has never been demonstrated that registry "cleaners" improve a PC's
performance. Furthermore, it's possible to muck up your system when you
use one. Finally, there is quite a lot of malicious software out there
disguised as registry cleaners (or spyware removal apps), and they can
do serious damage. (Of course, there are legitimate spyware removal apps
out there, too, but you need to be aware of the rogues!)

On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:05:02 -0700, Stanley
wrote:

Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....


A perfect example of why I almost never recommend reinstalling to fix
a problem without finding out what caused it. You repeated the
behavior that caused it and quickly found yourself right back where
you started.


When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions


Neither. Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of
the registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone
and don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many people think,
and what vendors of registry cleaning software try to convince you of,
having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit
it may have.

I can't be sure what your problem is from the little info you've
provided, but my first guess is malware. I recommend that you begin
troubleshooting by going to MVP Malke's malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
and following the instructions there

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I've been using CCleaner for some time now, and since I started using it I
can hobble alone Windows XP machines at a reasonable state of speed and
usefulness.

I use both the "cleaning" features and the registry scanner.

If you backup the registry changes, its a simple matter to re-merge the
changes if anything happens you dont want done.

I've been in IT for over 15 years. This isn't a perfect product, but in
certain situations it definately improves things.

-R


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:05:02 -0700, Stanley
wrote:

Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....


A perfect example of why I almost never recommend reinstalling to fix
a problem without finding out what caused it. You repeated the
behavior that caused it and quickly found yourself right back where
you started.


When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions


Neither. Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of
the registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone
and don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many people think,
and what vendors of registry cleaning software try to convince you of,
having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit
it may have.

I can't be sure what your problem is from the little info you've
provided, but my first guess is malware. I recommend that you begin
troubleshooting by going to MVP Malke's malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
and following the instructions there

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Fri, 30 May 2008 12:52:02 -0700, ruddykins
wrote:

I've been using CCleaner for some time now, and since I started using it I
can hobble alone Windows XP machines at a reasonable state of speed and
usefulness.

I use both the "cleaning" features and the registry scanner.

If you backup the registry changes, its a simple matter to re-merge the
changes if anything happens you dont want done.


Yes, unless the result of using it is an unbootable machine.


I've been in IT for over 15 years.


A beginner, huh? I started in 1962.


This isn't a perfect product, but in
certain situations it definately improves things.


CCleaner *is* a good product, and I use it myself (but not its
registry cleaning feature). As registry cleaners go, it's probably
even safer than most. Nevertheless, registry cleaning is completely
unnecessary and always dangerous (*even* CCleaner). using one is a bad
bargain.




"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Wed, 28 May 2008 08:05:02 -0700, Stanley
wrote:

Hi
I have windows Xp installed on my PC. I had a very slow system and decided
to do a fresh install. Two days later I am stuck in the same situation....


A perfect example of why I almost never recommend reinstalling to fix
a problem without finding out what caused it. You repeated the
behavior that caused it and quickly found yourself right back where
you started.


When googling the performance of machine it was suggested that I purchase
either a program called "reg cure" or "pc mechanic". Both sites guarentee to
fix the windows registry (which I know Jack about) and boost the sytem
performance and and and. problem is... I don't know which program to buy
firstly, and second is this the solution to sorting out my windows issue. Any
advise or suggestions


Neither. Registry cleaning programs are *all* snake oil. Cleaning of
the registry isn't needed and is dangerous. Leave the registry alone
and don't use any registry cleaner. Despite what many people think,
and what vendors of registry cleaning software try to convince you of,
having unused registry entries doesn't really hurt you.

The risk of a serious problem caused by a registry cleaner erroneously
removing an entry you need is far greater than any potential benefit
it may have.

I can't be sure what your problem is from the little info you've
provided, but my first guess is malware. I recommend that you begin
troubleshooting by going to MVP Malke's malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
and following the instructions there

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I don't know if the registry is my problem, but I know what, when, where,
why and how I created my problem. I was going to try the CCleaner as my next
step. But now . . . My problem started when I tried Edubuntu.
Unfortunately, you can't use that particular OS as a Live-CD, so I
partitioned my harddrive and installed it. Something went terribly wrong.
Instead of using 8GB for the Edubuntu, it left that much and took the rest.
I wasn't overly concerned, figured there would be a way to fix it when it
became a problem. But since I wasn't happy with the distro, I broke the disc
and threw it away. Mistake #2. Monday, I decided that that tiny hard drive
was becoming a problem. I formated the partition with Edubuntu on it using
GParted. Using the same, I then merged the two partitions. When Windows XP
came back up I was shocked, dismayed and horrified to see exactly three (3)
icons on my desktop! Luckily for me, I had copied drive C onto a Seagate
500GB backup drive. The first thing I tried was to move all the files back
onto drive C in a one click restore. It looked pretty good, but I knew that
many of the icons were missing. The next thing I tried was a system
recovery. There was a recovery point from August 9th. That brought a few
more back. Some others I manually transferred, cleaned up the doubles, then
rebacked the file where I keep all the software and updates I download from
the 'net. Looking better and better. But something was still wrong. Now is
where my good luck died right along with my backup drive. Yep, it's dead.
Took my files to its grave. And whatever is missing from XP that is keeping
my system from functioning properly.

Symptoms:

1. Can't remember my settings, except for the icons which are in the wrong
places, but it remembers the icon it is supposed to be using even those that
were changed after this started. But it can't remember to stop hiding my
task tray buttons, what color background or wallpaper, the colors of the
active and inactive title bars or menus or font or font color I chose/set .
2. Some help files are missing. The toolbar on the Help and Support page
is missing.
3. It won't let me install anything. Keep getting "Access Denied" messages
although I am the "System Administrator". The most recent error message was:
Could not create key:
S-1-5-21-823518204-484763869-682003330-1004\Software\Microsoft. Verify that
you have sufficient access to that key, or contact you support personnel.
4. Until last night I was still able to go online. The little computer
online icon in the system tray says I have a good connection, but none of the
four browsers I have installed can load a page.
5. It does remember to stop turning off my monitor.
6. I can't print anything.
7. It can't remember that I want to see ALL files, including the "hidden"
files.
8. C:\Documents and Settings\Regina\WINDOWS\system folder is empty. (Is
that why I can't get online?)
9. This document was created with WordPad, but will only open in WP if you
right click, click "Open With", then choose WordPad. Tried three times to
change that in the Properties diaglogue box, but it won't stay changed. I
don't think OpenOffice will even open a .rtf file, but I didn't try it.
10. Lots, of my software and devices want me to register but I did them all
when they were installed. OOo, I've registered it twice already since this
started and it asked me for it again today.

Those are what I have noticed so far, I am sure there are other issues. Oh,
I did also try to fix this by putting the Original XP disc in and rebooting,
choosing to repair. But that got me nowhere because apparently I'm supposed
to type in something after that. All I knew to type in was Exit. Anything
else would have just made matters worse. If you can't help me, I'll have two
choices left: 1. Backup my personal files to a USB stick, format the drive
and reinstall the OS. 2. Take the box to DIY or Best Buy or Circuit City,
etc. and pay them to do it for me. All help will be greatly appreciated.

This box started out life as a HP8275. But then the power supply died.
Then the harddrive died. Then what the heck, lets get a new motherboard.
Then my old CD-r drive, my scanner card and my Zip-100 drive wouldn't work
with the motherboard. I bought a new CD\DVD\HD\BLU Ray writable drive and a
PCI card for the Zip (can't find one for the scanner). Then neither Windows
95 or 98 would run, so I had to buy XP. I shoulda bought a new one! But the
point is, the drive is 160GB, the motherboard is a Gigabyte with an AMD chip
(I think) 1.6GHz, 1 GB RAM. If you need any additional info, I will gladly
supply it. I will be gone most of next week, but will reply as soon as
possible. Thanks to everyone who reads this and has an opinion as to what
needs to be done next!

Is this what you did when you tried a repair:
How to perform (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.paulsxp.com
www.paulsxp.com/forum
www.supportspace.com/home/home.s2?aiu=paulm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Isis" wrote in message
...
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I don't know if the registry is my problem, but I know what, when, where,
why and how I created my problem. I was going to try the CCleaner as my
next
step. But now . . . My problem started when I tried Edubuntu.
Unfortunately, you can't use that particular OS as a Live-CD, so I
partitioned my harddrive and installed it. Something went terribly wrong.
Instead of using 8GB for the Edubuntu, it left that much and took the
rest.
I wasn't overly concerned, figured there would be a way to fix it when it
became a problem. But since I wasn't happy with the distro, I broke the
disc
and threw it away. Mistake #2. Monday, I decided that that tiny hard
drive
was becoming a problem. I formated the partition with Edubuntu on it
using
GParted. Using the same, I then merged the two partitions. When Windows
XP
came back up I was shocked, dismayed and horrified to see exactly three
(3)
icons on my desktop! Luckily for me, I had copied drive C onto a Seagate
500GB backup drive. The first thing I tried was to move all the files
back
onto drive C in a one click restore. It looked pretty good, but I knew
that
many of the icons were missing. The next thing I tried was a system
recovery. There was a recovery point from August 9th. That brought a few
more back. Some others I manually transferred, cleaned up the doubles,
then
rebacked the file where I keep all the software and updates I download
from
the 'net. Looking better and better. But something was still wrong. Now
is
where my good luck died right along with my backup drive. Yep, it's dead.
Took my files to its grave. And whatever is missing from XP that is
keeping
my system from functioning properly.

Symptoms:

1. Can't remember my settings, except for the icons which are in the
wrong
places, but it remembers the icon it is supposed to be using even those
that
were changed after this started. But it can't remember to stop hiding my
task tray buttons, what color background or wallpaper, the colors of the
active and inactive title bars or menus or font or font color I chose/set
.
2. Some help files are missing. The toolbar on the Help and Support page
is missing.
3. It won't let me install anything. Keep getting "Access Denied"
messages
although I am the "System Administrator". The most recent error message
was:
Could not create key:
S-1-5-21-823518204-484763869-682003330-1004\Software\Microsoft. Verify
that
you have sufficient access to that key, or contact you support personnel.
4. Until last night I was still able to go online. The little computer
online icon in the system tray says I have a good connection, but none of
the
four browsers I have installed can load a page.
5. It does remember to stop turning off my monitor.
6. I can't print anything.
7. It can't remember that I want to see ALL files, including the "hidden"
files.
8. C:\Documents and Settings\Regina\WINDOWS\system folder is empty. (Is
that why I can't get online?)
9. This document was created with WordPad, but will only open in WP if
you
right click, click "Open With", then choose WordPad. Tried three times to
change that in the Properties diaglogue box, but it won't stay changed. I
don't think OpenOffice will even open a .rtf file, but I didn't try it.
10. Lots, of my software and devices want me to register but I did them
all
when they were installed. OOo, I've registered it twice already since
this
started and it asked me for it again today.

Those are what I have noticed so far, I am sure there are other issues.
Oh,
I did also try to fix this by putting the Original XP disc in and
rebooting,
choosing to repair. But that got me nowhere because apparently I'm
supposed
to type in something after that. All I knew to type in was Exit.
Anything
else would have just made matters worse. If you can't help me, I'll have
two
choices left: 1. Backup my personal files to a USB stick, format the
drive
and reinstall the OS. 2. Take the box to DIY or Best Buy or Circuit
City,
etc. and pay them to do it for me. All help will be greatly appreciated.

This box started out life as a HP8275. But then the power supply died.
Then the harddrive died. Then what the heck, lets get a new motherboard.
Then my old CD-r drive, my scanner card and my Zip-100 drive wouldn't work
with the motherboard. I bought a new CD\DVD\HD\BLU Ray writable drive and
a
PCI card for the Zip (can't find one for the scanner). Then neither
Windows
95 or 98 would run, so I had to buy XP. I shoulda bought a new one! But
the
point is, the drive is 160GB, the motherboard is a Gigabyte with an AMD
chip
(I think) 1.6GHz, 1 GB RAM. If you need any additional info, I will
gladly
supply it. I will be gone most of next week, but will reply as soon as
possible. Thanks to everyone who reads this and has an opinion as to what
needs to be done next!

"PaulM" wrote:

Is this what you did when you tried a repair:
How to perform (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.paulsxp.com
www.paulsxp.com/forum
www.supportspace.com/home/home.s2?aiu=paulm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Isis" wrote in message
...


No, but it sure sounds a lot easier and sensible than what I did. I'll try
that and let you know the results. Thank you!

Let me know how you make out.

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.paulsxp.com
www.paulsxp.com/forum
www.supportspace.com/home/home.s2?aiu=paulm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Isis" wrote in message
...


"PaulM" wrote:

Is this what you did when you tried a repair:
How to perform (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341


"Isis" wrote in message
...


No, but it sure sounds a lot easier and sensible than what I did. I'll
try
that and let you know the results. Thank you!