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

--->

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:

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:

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

--->

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:

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

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
<Stanley@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


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.



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 Fri, 30 May 2008 12:52:02 -0700, ruddykins
<ruddykins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


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



A beginner, huh? I started in 1962.



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