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#1
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"Free" Rigistry Cleaner any good?
I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of
faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $ 29.95 to fix anything else. Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? |
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#2
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I should have said that the program comes from "FreeRegistryFix.com"
" wrote in message ... I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $ 29.95 to fix anything else. Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? |
#4
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Avoid this scam like the plague.
-- Ted Zieglar "You can do it if you try." " wrote in message ... I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $ 29.95 to fix anything else. Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? |
#5
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wrote:
I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. =20 It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $29.95 to fix anything else. =20 Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? facetious mode/on As long as you have plenty of time on your hands, go ahead. It shouldn't = take you more than a few days to re-install everything and get over the = loss of your personal data. 8| What is the actual name of this wonderful software program? --=20 Ronnie Vernon Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ |
#6
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It's a scam. You do not need a registry cleaner for Windows XP.
Using a registry cleaner will not do anything positive for the performance of your computer. Many folks who have gone ahead and used a registry cleaner often visit this newsgroup for help, usually beginning their question with "Help! Suddenly Windows XP stopped ___________" (you fill in the blank). -- Carey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows XP - Shell/User Microsoft Newsgroups ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ritter197" wrote: | I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of | faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to | run fine. | | It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $ | 29.95 to fix anything else. | | Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? |
#7
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It might very well be a scam, but the concept of registry cleaning is
a valid one, even in XP. I use Norton Systemworks, which is a suite, which includes a registry checker/cleaner. It finds registry errors all the time, many times finding 20 or 30 per scan. Most software doesn't install cleanly, even WORD and Pagemaker, which are supposed to be above suspicion by reputation:: I find keys that don't lead anywhere and other assorted problems, especially activeX problems. I can uninstall almost any piece of software and run the scanner, it will be guaranteed to find problems! Even when software isn't uninstalled, there are often 3 or 4 'medium' rated registry problems found. There is a website that specializes in listing security threats that pose as legitimate software. I'll look for it later tonight and email you directly. In the meantime, if this is a scam, you MUST consider anything on your HD has been harvested. I strongly encourage you to get professional help from a local computer shop. The problem might be more serious than you think, especially if you use the computer for online shopping. T On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:57:05 -0500, "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote: It's a scam. You do not need a registry cleaner for Windows XP. Using a registry cleaner will not do anything positive for the performance of your computer. Many folks who have gone ahead and used a registry cleaner often visit this newsgroup for help, usually beginning their question with "Help! Suddenly Windows XP stopped ___________" (you fill in the blank). |
#8
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wrote:
Freeregistryfix.com is the name. snip Here are a couple other threads where you can get more information. Google Groups : microsoft.public.security.homeusers:=20 http://groups.google.com/group/micro...eusers/browse= _thread/thread/6d4f5b63a7fb720b/0b2dc15b5c53d71e?lnk=3Dst&q=3D%22Free+Reg= istry+Fix%22+group:microsoft.public.*&rnum=3D1#0b2 dc15b5c53d71e Google Groups : microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion:=20 http://groups.google.com/group/micro...scussion/brow= se_thread/thread/8a09052a440cce73/a1579c4dcea64904?lnk=3Dst&q=3D%22Free+R= egistry+Fix%22+group:microsoft.public.*&rnum=3D3#a 1579c4dcea64904 --=20 Ronnie Vernon Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ |
#9
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"...the concept of registry cleaning is a valid one, even in XP."
No, it's not, and it's such an old argument that most of us are bored of = discussing it. You can read the innumerable threads in Google Groups. Ted Zieglar TRABEM wrote in message = ... It might very well be a scam, but the concept of registry cleaning is a valid one, even in XP. =20 I use Norton Systemworks, which is a suite, which includes a registry checker/cleaner. =20 It finds registry errors all the time, many times finding 20 or 30 per scan. Most software doesn't install cleanly, even WORD and Pagemaker, which are supposed to be above suspicion by reputation:: =20 I find keys that don't lead anywhere and other assorted problems, especially activeX problems. I can uninstall almost any piece of software and run the scanner, it will be guaranteed to find problems!=20 =20 Even when software isn't uninstalled, there are often 3 or 4 'medium' rated registry problems found. =20 There is a website that specializes in listing security threats that pose as legitimate software. I'll look for it later tonight and email you directly.=20 =20 In the meantime, if this is a scam, you MUST consider anything on your HD has been harvested. I strongly encourage you to get professional help from a local computer shop.=20 =20 The problem might be more serious than you think, especially if you use the computer for online shopping. =20 T =20 On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 16:57:05 -0500, "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote: =20 It's a scam. You do not need a registry cleaner for Windows XP. Using a registry cleaner will not do anything positive for the performance of your computer. Many folks who have gone ahead and used a registry cleaner often visit this newsgroup for help, usually beginning their question with "Help! Suddenly Windows XP stopped ___________" (you fill in the blank). |
#10
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The program is a scam only in the fact that it will fix a "certain" number
of registry problems and then asks you to "upgrade" to the paid version.The problem with the program is that you really need to be quite knowledgable about registry keys in order to use it effectively.I was not so I uninstalled it . I went back to a more simple program called RegCleaner...........free at that point in time but now costs and has a name change............http://www.jv16.org/ just remember that the registry is what starts your system.........if you screw it up you screw up your system.Which is why most MSVP suggest you leave it alone!! So I also use ERUNT ERUNT - The Emergency Recovery Utility NT ========================================= Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP v1.1h, 03/06/2005, Freeware Written by Lars Hederer e-mail: Look for the latest version he http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt Before I run the cleaner I backup the registry good luck peterk -- Never trust a computer you can't throw out the window. - Steve Wozniak " wrote in message ... Freeregistryfix.com is the name. "Ronnie Vernon MVP" wrote in message ... wrote: I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $29.95 to fix anything else. Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? facetious mode/on As long as you have plenty of time on your hands, go ahead. It shouldn't take you more than a few days to re-install everything and get over the loss of your personal data. 8| What is the actual name of this wonderful software program? -- Ronnie Vernon Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ |
#11
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wrote:
I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. What specific problem are you experiencing that you *know* beyond all reasonable doubt will 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. Why use a shotgun 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. It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $ 29.95 to fix anything else. Ah! So the offer of a "free" product was really just the bait in a scam? Do you really want to give your money to a company that's so unscrupulous? Do you really trust such an unethical firm with all of your personal data? -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH |
#12
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TRABEM wrote:
It might very well be a scam, but the concept of registry cleaning is a valid one, even in XP. No, that's not in the least bit correct. You've been listening to salesman and marketing lies, rather than experienced, knowledgeable technicians. I use Norton Systemworks, which is a suite, which includes a registry checker/cleaner. Actually, SystemWorks' primary function separate your money from your wallet. Once a useful utility suite, back in the days of MS-DOS, when Peter Norton was more than a picture on the box, Norton Utilities have been becoming increasingly useless and redundant over the years. There's little offered by NU that WinXP cannot already do natively. And some of Systemworks's features, like CrashGuard and CleanSweep (if they're still included) cause far more problems then they prevent. It finds registry errors all the time, many times finding 20 or 30 per scan. Most software doesn't install cleanly, even WORD and Pagemaker, which are supposed to be above suspicion by reputation:: I find keys that don't lead anywhere and other assorted problems, especially activeX problems. I can uninstall almost any piece of software and run the scanner, it will be guaranteed to find problems! Even when software isn't uninstalled, there are often 3 or 4 'medium' rated registry problems found. Any thought as to where these registry "errors" are coming from, if you're finding new ones "all the time?" Oh, and what specific problems have any orphaned entries actually caused? Come on, name at least one specific problem that you experienced and couldn't have fixed without SystemWorks. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH |
#13
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" wrote in message ... I downloaded the free Registry Cleaner and it "supposedly" found hundreds of faults, even though my computer, 2.GHz, Windows XP Pro, 512 MB RAM, seems to run fine. It fixes 50 of the "faults" free but then wants the upgrade version for $ 29.95 to fix anything else. Does anyone have this program and is satisfied with it? ============================== Make sure you GHOST (back up everything) your HD before using something like this. There are horror stories...... :-( FS~ |
#14
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Bruce,
I think you're leaning a bit too far out on this topic (much like many of our political organizations today), and the fringe is seldom a good place to be. Yes, any working in the Registry is not to be done by someone without some knowledge, and wholesale housecleaning is not for the faint of heart. Yes, the Norton/Symantec prodcuts are a pale imitation of what they once were ( I loved Norton Untilites 4.5 - that was Golden!) Recently, I undertook the task of removing all Symantec products from our two main PCs - mainly because the antispam product was just dogging down the system, not just while working email. Man, what a performance boost! Now, what could some registry cleaner product do that I could not do with RegEdit? Find the hundredSSSS of keys and values that Systemworks/AntiVirus/AntiSpam and especially Live Update left scattered throughout the registry, even after a supposed complete uninstall. I found lots on my own, but Registry First Aid found many many more. The only programs that do a good job of cleaning up after themselves in the registry with their uninstall are ones that don't make much use of the registry, and even there simple apps still leave lots of flotsam and jetsam around. On a system that's been in use going on 3 years now, lots of programs installed and removed over that time, Registry First Aid found about 2000 entries that were orphaned, misdirected, or otherwised needed correction or could be deleted. The registry gets to be pretty big, and cutting down the junk in it can improve response time when a program has to go hunt in it for something. I'm not saying this is necessary for every user, or needed very often, but in my case it was a useful procedure. And certainly a lot less painful than wiping the drive and reinstalling everything to have cleaner system. Val ps - Bruce, I've seen your posts here for years, and been helped by your advice more than a few times. Thanks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Bruce Chambers" wrote in message ... TRABEM wrote: It might very well be a scam, but the concept of registry cleaning is a valid one, even in XP. No, that's not in the least bit correct. You've been listening to salesman and marketing lies, rather than experienced, knowledgeable technicians. I use Norton Systemworks, which is a suite, which includes a registry checker/cleaner. Actually, SystemWorks' primary function separate your money from your wallet. Once a useful utility suite, back in the days of MS-DOS, when Peter Norton was more than a picture on the box, Norton Utilities have been becoming increasingly useless and redundant over the years. There's little offered by NU that WinXP cannot already do natively. And some of Systemworks's features, like CrashGuard and CleanSweep (if they're still included) cause far more problems then they prevent. It finds registry errors all the time, many times finding 20 or 30 per scan. Most software doesn't install cleanly, even WORD and Pagemaker, which are supposed to be above suspicion by reputation:: I find keys that don't lead anywhere and other assorted problems, especially activeX problems. I can uninstall almost any piece of software and run the scanner, it will be guaranteed to find problems! Even when software isn't uninstalled, there are often 3 or 4 'medium' rated registry problems found. Any thought as to where these registry "errors" are coming from, if you're finding new ones "all the time?" Oh, and what specific problems have any orphaned entries actually caused? Come on, name at least one specific problem that you experienced and couldn't have fixed without SystemWorks. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH |
#15
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VManes wrote:
Bruce, I think you're leaning a bit too far out on this topic (much like many of our political organizations today), and the fringe is seldom a good place to be. A matter of perspective, I suppose. (I'm not one for sitting on the fence - something always comes along to knock you off.) This is sort of a sore subject for me. I've seen far too many people effectively destroy their system by using these automated "tools." They're simply not safe for the average computer user to use. Yes, any working in the Registry is not to be done by someone without some knowledge, and wholesale housecleaning is not for the faint of heart. Yes, the Norton/Symantec prodcuts are a pale imitation of what they once were ( I loved Norton Untilites 4.5 - that was Golden!) Recently, I undertook the task of removing all Symantec products from our two main PCs - mainly because the antispam product was just dogging down the system, not just while working email. Man, what a performance boost! Agreed. Symantec's consumer-grade products are simply too resource-hungry. Now, what could some registry cleaner product do that I could not do with RegEdit? Find the hundredSSSS of keys and values that Systemworks/AntiVirus/AntiSpam and especially Live Update left scattered throughout the registry, even after a supposed complete uninstall. I found lots on my own, but Registry First Aid found many many more. Regedit's "Find" option has usually been sufficient for me. Admittedly, however, a very few decent registry cleaners, when used properly by an experienced and knowledgeable technician, can be time savers. Unfortunately, these registry cleaners aren't marketed exclusively to such skilled people; instead, they're touted to the masses as miracle cures. The only programs that do a good job of cleaning up after themselves in the registry with their uninstall are ones that don't make much use of the registry, and even there simple apps still leave lots of flotsam and jetsam around. Perhaps, but so what? No one has ever presented any empirical evidense proving that the presence of orphaned entries has any measurable detrimental effect upon WinXP's performance or stability. I'm a firm believer in the old saw, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." On a system that's been in use going on 3 years now, lots of programs installed and removed over that time, Registry First Aid found about 2000 entries that were orphaned, misdirected, or otherwised needed correction or could be deleted. The registry gets to be pretty big, and cutting down the junk in it can improve response time when a program has to go hunt in it for something. But, what real, specific *problems* were these 2000 entries causing? What specific malfunction(s) did their removal fix? Perhaps (maybe even "probably") you did no harm removing some or most of those entries, but what good did it do? Was there an immediate, observable performance improvement? I'm not saying this is necessary for every user, or needed very often, but in my case it was a useful procedure. And certainly a lot less painful than wiping the drive and reinstalling everything to have cleaner system. As I've said, a registry cleaner, in the hands of someone who knows what he's doing, can be a useful troubleshooting tool and a great time saver. I've never denied that. I just take issue with those who claim that automated registry cleaners are perfectly safe and the cure for all that ails a computer. ps - Bruce, I've seen your posts here for years, and been helped by your advice more than a few times. Thanks. Thank you for the kind words. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH |
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