I want to clean my registry but I have no idea if what is being detected is actually a problem. I don't want to accidentally mess up my computer fixing something that shouldn't be messed with. Would I put the path of the detected item in "run" and see if anything comes up, or would I use the option in my software to open the item up in RegEdit and if I see something, I shouldn't mess with it. I don't know and would like some help.
Well to clean my registry i use a program called registry mechanic but there are plenty of other programs that can help. Always make a backup of your registry before changing anything in it, if you make a bad change in the registry through a program most of them will have a restore option.
But how can I make sure whatever I am fixing needs to be fixed, so that way I won't have to worry about my computer messing up and having to make a backup(regardless of how easy it may be to do so).
Well i guess you just have to trust the program you are using. Find some info about it like reviews, articles and forums.
Well OK. Thanks! Just one more thing. My program has found lots of issues about previous versions of .net framework or activeX controls and other things like that. Should I fix 'em?
Which program are you using ? and what type of problem is the program saying it is in your .net framework and activeX controls?
I am using CC Cleaner. For registry issues, it will be something like... Missing Shared DLL: C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\System.Windows.Forms.tlb Or... Missing Shared DLL: C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\System.JScript.tlb And ActiveX will change in regards to different programs. It will say there is some sort of "ActiveX/COM Issue" and then specify the program or some random place on the computer And not to mention there are wierd things like... "Unused File Extensions: .pdf" (or .flv or .icns, ect.) Ugggg.... so much junk, so many issues. Such a long post to make...
They would have to be incorrect entries if sometime during the removal of these entries something bad happens you can either restore in the program using the restore option or system restore through windows. If your a bit worried make a backup of your registry just in case. Also research those file extensions that the program finds and find out how/why they are on your computer.
Well alright. I always make a backup before changing things, but if something did go wrong, how would I perform the restore?
Myself i don't use CC cleaner but I'm sure that it would have it's own restore option. If not windows system restore will rollback any system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc, if there has been an error in CC cleaner that should work. (As long there are some restore points).
Yes CCLEANER will ask if you want to make a backup,it will create it in MY DOCUMENTS with the date etc,i've never had a prob with CCLEANER ever giving me a prob where the comp would'nt boot, that does'n mean others have'nt, as on the odd occasion people do make posts regarding deleting stuff with CC & then windows giving problems,there's two other options, use easycleaner (it's free & safe to use) untill you become more comfortable & experianced at what the programs delete as CC is a little bit more aggressive than most registry cleaners,or if you decide to go with CC, i recommend you install this http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/ It's a great little utility that works similar to system restore except apart from backing up the registry it will not give you crap about choosing another restore point as it will automatically overwrite the registry regardless,it's saved my bacon on numerous occasions where system restore failed,the downside is you need to go into the WINDOWS folder in DRIVE C ,once a month delete some of the registry backup folders it creates to recover disc space,they're all dated,the other utility on that same web page is for compressing the registry i usually run it that one every two months,if you install & decide you don't want them they won't give you any grief in the uninstall process both are safe to use. EDIT: Go get microsofts tweakui you'll find that handy it's great for speeding up menu's as there's usually a delay before they appear,with this proggy you can make em appear real quick plus other stuff it does i think it's techrepublic & cnet that have articles on registry edits that you can do to speed up xp if you have 512 ram or more doing them you will see a difference,also don't forget regular defrags in safemode,i say safe mode as it will only load the most basic of proggys so you'll get a better defrag yeah there's programs out there that are defrag utilities the only advantage most of them have in essence is they defrag on the fly when in actual essence they still need windws defrag engine to do the job, just the same as all registry tweak utilities all they're doing is making changes in the registry there's nothing special about them as they're using what's already there & hidden..lol..The best advice i can give is look into disk imagaing to recover fast from any hdd failure,registry stuff up or virus ( google for radified fourums they specialise in disk imaging there advice is free & there are no hooks, monster garage saying : FREEBIE..lol..)
Thanks! That sure is a lot to take in but I'm sure it will help. However I am shy of 400 ram. Will that program still speed my computer up?
Alright then. I got to get to work making this computer faster than lighting!!! Thanks for all your help guys.!
Also, just to let you know, the registry repair programs actually dont repair the registry, they remove copies of keys, they search for older and newer keys for the same program, and see which are most used, and it crossreferences that with how much windows uses those keys, and responds accordingly. I use the registry cleaner on CCleaner all the time, and it works great. Even if you erase your whole freaking registry somehow, u can still get it back in the recovery console. Go ahead and run it.
Yup. It looks like windows can restore my CC cleaner saved points. I just hope I never have to use it.
