"Richard" <cms0009"nospam"@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4752cb26$0$4966$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Are there any excellent registry cleaner/fixer application
> that actual work with xp (freeware would be nice )
> if not payware.
>
>
>
> Thanks +
>
> Rich
>
>
The registry clean within CCleaner, which is free, works well for me to
clean unused registry entries. I have also tried RegVac and Norton
WinDoctor. The later will also try to match a bad registry entry to a file
that exists elsewehre on the harddrive, such as in the case of a user moving
a program, instead of unninstalling/reinstalling it.
But, be warned that any registry cleaner may remove something that is
important to some program. For example, Pinacle Studio appears to include a
"bad" registry key as part of its copy protection. If you remove the key,
then the program asks to be reinstalled.
Thus, first find a registry backup utility, make a backup, then play with a
registry cleaner, if you wish. The simplest registry backup is to make an
XP restore point. But, that might be difficult to use, unless you can boot
into XP, at least in safe mode. If XP is installed on a FAT32 partition,
the free program ERUNT can make a backup that can be restored via a bootable
DOS floppy. XP also keeps a backup of the pieces of the registry, which in
theory can be manually restored via the XP recovery console. See MS
article:
Finally, a full backup of the XP partition, such as via Norton GHOST,
Acronis TrueImage, Cobian Backup, etc would give you protection against any
misadventrures in registry cleaning, as well as protection against (a)
viruses, (b) bad installations, (c) power surges, (d) cats and kids, etc.
"Richard" <cms0009"nospam"@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4752cb26$0$4966$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Are there any excellent registry cleaner/fixer application
> that actual work with xp (freeware would be nice )
> if not payware.
>
>
>
> Thanks +
>
> Rich
>
>
I think, from memory, you will find that there is a documented procedure to
use an ERUNT backup to recover, when using ntfs
"Bob Harris" <rharris270[SPAM]@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OeF%23jpPNIHA.5988@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> The registry clean within CCleaner, which is free, works well for me to
> clean unused registry entries. I have also tried RegVac and Norton
> WinDoctor. The later will also try to match a bad registry entry to a
> file that exists elsewehre on the harddrive, such as in the case of a user
> moving a program, instead of unninstalling/reinstalling it.
>
> But, be warned that any registry cleaner may remove something that is
> important to some program. For example, Pinacle Studio appears to include
> a "bad" registry key as part of its copy protection. If you remove the
> key, then the program asks to be reinstalled.
>
> Thus, first find a registry backup utility, make a backup, then play with
> a registry cleaner, if you wish. The simplest registry backup is to make
> an XP restore point. But, that might be difficult to use, unless you can
> boot into XP, at least in safe mode. If XP is installed on a FAT32
> partition, the free program ERUNT can make a backup that can be restored
> via a bootable DOS floppy. XP also keeps a backup of the pieces of the
> registry, which in theory can be manually restored via the XP recovery
> console. See MS article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us
>
> Finally, a full backup of the XP partition, such as via Norton GHOST,
> Acronis TrueImage, Cobian Backup, etc would give you protection against
> any misadventrures in registry cleaning, as well as protection against (a)
> viruses, (b) bad installations, (c) power surges, (d) cats and kids, etc.
>
> For a large list of cleaners, backup, etc programs, many free, try:
> http://www.majorgeeks.com/
>
> "Richard" <cms0009"nospam"@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:4752cb26$0$4966$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> Are there any excellent registry cleaner/fixer application
>> that actual work with xp (freeware would be nice )
>> if not payware.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks +
>>
>> Rich
>>
>>
>
>
Richard wrote:
> Are there any excellent registry cleaner/fixer application
> that actual work with xp (freeware would be nice )
> if not payware.
>
There's no such thing.
Why do you even think you'd ever 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 only thing needed to safely clean
your registry is knowledge and Regedit.exe.
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 repeatedly 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. 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.
More importantly, no one has ever demonstrated that the use of an
automated registry cleaner, particularly by an untrained, inexperienced
computer user, does any real good, whatsoever. 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. Given the potential for harm, it's just not worth the risk.
Granted, most registry "cleaners" won't cause problems each and
every time they're used, but the potential for harm is always there.
And, since no registry "cleaner" has ever been demonstrated to do any
good (think of them like treating the flu with chicken soup - there's no
real medicinal value, but it sometimes provides a warming placebo
effect), I always tell people that the risks far out-weigh the
non-existent benefits.
I will concede that a good registry *scanning* tool, in the hands
of an experienced and knowledgeable technician or hobbyist can be a
useful time-saving diagnostic tool, as long as it's not allowed to make
any changes automatically. But I really don't think that there are any
registry cleaners that are truly safe for the general public to use.
Experience has proven just the opposite: such tools simply are not safe
in the hands of the inexperienced user.
Bob Harris wrote:
> The registry clean within CCleaner, which is free, works well for me to
> clean unused registry entries.
I'd have to disagree with your assessment of CCleaner.
CCleaner's registry scanner seems relatively benign, as long as you
step through each detected "issue" one at a time, to determine if it
really is an "issue" or not, and then decide whether or not to let the
application "fix" it. In my testing, though, most of the reported
"issues" won't be issues, at all. I tried the latest version on a
brand-new OS installation with no additional applications installed, and
certainly none installed and then uninstalled, and CCleaner still
managed to "find" over a hundred allegedly orphaned registry entries and
dozens of purportedly "suspicious" files.
CCleaner's only real strength, and the only reason I use it, lies
in its usefulness for cleaning up unused temporary files from the hard
drive; as a registry "cleaner," it's not significantly better or worse
than any other snake oil product of the same type.
please feel to refer others with
questions to the experts above.
--
db ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>¸.
><)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
..
"Richard" <cms0009"nospam"@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4752cb26$0$4966$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Are there any excellent registry cleaner/fixer application
> that actual work with xp (freeware would be nice )
> if not payware.
>
>
>
> Thanks +
>
> Rich
>
>
You know, that's an interesting article. Almost everything I've read
from pretty savvy MVP's and others state the registry won't slow
anything down if you just leave it alone.
I don't understand why Microsoft says the opposite.
"Over time, the Windows Registry can begin to contain information that's
no longer valid. Maybe you uninstalled an application without using the
Add or Remove Programs function in the Control Panel, or perhaps an
object or file in the registry got moved. Eventually this orphaned or
misplaced information accumulates and begins to clog your registry,
potentially slowing down your PC and causing error messages and system
crashes. You might also notice that your PC's startup process is slower
than it used to be. Cleaning your registry is the easiest way to help
avoid these common problems."
I'm not being contrary, it just doesn't make sense to me. Who is right?
I usually defer to the opinion of people who troubleshoot and delve into
windows every day, which would be the MVPs and others who know what
they are talking about.
I admit I use Eusing Registry Cleaner and also CCleaner and always
backup changes. BUT, I also use ERUNDT all the time to save my butt
along with manual System Restore points. I haven't reinstalled WinXP
since 2003 and don't plan to anytime soon. I have over 150 programs
installed and must admit, I love WinXP.
"Richard" <cms0009"nospam"@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4752cb26$0$4966$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Are there any excellent registry cleaner/fixer application
> that actual work with xp (freeware would be nice )
> if not payware.
> Thanks +
>
> Rich
Rich
I do not let any registry cleaner etc on my one and only computer - and that
includes any on offer from MS.
If I get a problem then I fix it - if it aint broke' dont fix it.
If a computer owner, like me, has only basic user skills, and do not know
what goes on in the Registry, then the last thing they should use is a tool
to do it.
The problem with me(and thousands of others) of limited techno ability, is
that I have no idea what goes on in registry.
Until I am able to learn the hidden secrets in there I do not enter unless
held by the hand by somebody far more capable.
More damage can be caused than good done - it has been widely posted that
such a prog. gives a user no particular benefit.
Whether or not one gains any significant performance is questionable - I
have read more posts/articles to say that performing a registry clean does
not enhance performance to any degree. If a Reg Cleaning prog states that
it 'speeds up' your computer, ask them for the proof - there other methods
of improving computer performance without resorting to such drastic action.
In every thread I have read in newsgroups in the last 2
years or more, the advice has come down against these Reg Cleaners. What
your opinion is of MVP's, I do not know, but I have come to know the ones I
can trust - and all caution against their usage.
I have no problem with anybody who recommends/supports or whatever the use
of these cleaners.
I just wish they would point out the other side of the coin to those who may
not have a clue what they are doing - sadly they do all do this - those who
do are acting in a responsible manner.
Though, I sometimes wonder if supporters of Reg Cleaners ever consider the
capabilities of the poster to whom they reply, with such recommendations.
When I had my rush of blood to the head I had not heard of 'backup' and
there was no such thing as System Restore.
Take note of what Bruce Chambers has to say - if you want other quotes let
me know.
I cannot think of any other more informative/objective view on this subject.
CCleaner is good for what it does - have/do use it but NOT the Reg Cleaner,
and only when I feel lazy or do not have time to do the same job manually.
:-)
Its your computer - its your choice - but you cannot say you have not been
warned.
WaIIy wrote:
>
>
> You know, that's an interesting article. Almost everything I've read
> from pretty savvy MVP's and others state the registry won't slow
> anything down if you just leave it alone.
>
> I don't understand why Microsoft says the opposite.
>
Because they're first and foremost a business, and there's money to be
made selling registry cleaners to the gullible.
> "Over time, the Windows Registry can begin to contain information that's
> no longer valid. Maybe you uninstalled an application without using the
> Add or Remove Programs function in the Control Panel, or perhaps an
> object or file in the registry got moved.
True enough, but irrelevant.
>Eventually this orphaned or
> misplaced information accumulates and begins to clog your registry,
> potentially slowing down your PC and causing error messages and system
> crashes. You might also notice that your PC's startup process is slower
> than it used to be. Cleaning your registry is the easiest way to help
> avoid these common problems."
>
No one who understands how an indexed database (all that the registry
really is) is going to believe the above paragraph for a moment. But
then, registry "cleaners" aren't marketted to IT professionals; they're
pushed exclusively to the usually much less well informed home consumer.
Registry Cleaners and Fixes for XP 
Linear Mode
