Computer-savvy DUers - little help?

[CatWoman]

What do you think about this?

Is it safe? :)



Is Your Computer Slower Than When You Bought It?

(ARA) - Is your PC slower now than when you bought it? Do you get error messages when you try to un-install software? Do you have desktop icons that aren't working?

If so, your computer is likely experiencing problems with its registry database, the operating system component that stores information about the system, application settings and hardware. Even if you're extremely careful about how you use your computer and never download questionable material, over time it is inevitable that your system will accumulate unwanted registry entries, errors, clutter and debris.

The most common causes are the installation and removal of software, online games, application crashes and upgrades of software programs. While many errors will go unnoticed, the more errors your computer has, the higher the chances that you'll experience trouble. But there is something proactive you can do to protect your system: install a one-click tool called Advanced Registry Optimizer 5 (ARO 5) that will scan, identify and repair errors.

Not sure if you really need one? Sammsoft, a Washington State software company, offers free trials of their ARO 5 software people can use to check their systems for errors. Click here to begin the download process.

Once the download is complete, just click the "Run" button to install ARO 5. Once installed, the program will do a complete scan and diagnosis of your computer's registry and tell you how many errors are present. It will then fix the first 20 problems completely free of charge.

There's no catch. The company just hopes you'll love the personal version of ARO 5 so much you'll consider purchasing the unlimited commercial system which retails for $29.95.

http://www.liveinformed.com/adfusion.aspx?UserFeedGuid=09e5611d-2565-4a2e-9eee-b6122171a029&ArticleId=817&title=Is-Your-Computer-Slower-Than-When-You-Bought-It-&reload=true

[Gman]

1. I wouldn't do it

and I never have before. Registry problems are not that common and likely occur if you're using really cheap low quality software and games. All quality software does a good job of uninstalling.

Defraging the hard drive, keeping your virus software current, not using Internet Explorer but using 3rd party browswers like Mozilla Firefox, and still scanning occasionally for adware with Spybot or Adaware will do wonders for keeping your computer running well.

[CatWoman]

3. Thanks, G!!

I had forgotten about defragging. :hi:

Unfortunately, Zone.com won't work with anything but Internet Explorer, so I'm kinda stuck there.

[Gman]

14. Use IE for zone.com and

use Firefox for everything else. MSN is reputable so you don't have a lot to worry about there. That's what I do. For sites that only use IE I use it. Somewhere like DU or anywhere else where it doesn't matter, I use Firefox.

[Warpy]

2. Usually when the box is slowing down

it means it's choked with spyware and the hard drive is desperately in need of defragmentation. Windows comes with a defrag program and it should be run every month or so (although I only get around to it maybe three times a year, bad geek). Ad Aware has a great free program that will eliminate nearly all spyware on the box. Spybot is also good, but its trial time is limited and it costs.

Programs that don't work any more need to be reloaded. Software can corrupt over time. If the problem is with Windows, itself, you either need to run the repair prog with the master disk or you need to reload it completely after backing up all your files on a CD or other removable storage device.

I'd try these fixes first: remove spyware, defragment the disc, reload the stuff that isn't working, repair the disc with the master disc.

I've been using the Norton suite for years. People either love it or hate it. It seems to keep the box running smoothly and its defrag program runs a little faster than the Windows prog does. It's caught all sorts of junk in emails and other attempts at phishing even before a page has fully loaded, so I've been happy with it. It's a total bear to uninstall and requires patches available at their site to do so.

[TahitiNut]

4. While registry problems can affect performance ... some of this is hype.

It seems that particular publisher is legit, but I can't say their stuff is any good - dunno.

For Win 95/96/NT users, Microsoft offers a registry cleaner for free.

http://www.download.com/3000-2094-881470.html


If you're really hell-bent to absess about glitches and wasted space, you're probably best-advised to go with ... http://www.download.com/Registry-Mechanic/3000-2094_4-10742905.html

C/NET is a reasonably reliable source of software online.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. It's safe if you use the right tools.

The best tool, that I have found, for cleaning registry slack entries and compressing the registry, not to mention performing registry backups, is two tools.

Wise Registry Cleaner, which is free and run first. Delete only the entries marked with a green shield. DO NOT delete the entries marked with the yellow shield.

Then RegVac, which is run second. With RegVac, you run the cleaner in novice mode, then the backup(in Expert mode), then pack registry, in expert mode.

Yes, this is safe. I do it all the time, on my computers and for others.

On edit: for drive defragmentation, I recommend and use Raxco Perfect Disk 8.0. No other defragmenter speeds things up like it.

[AlphaCentauri]

6. Your anti virus could be the problem

try to get a lite weight anti virus. it happen to me.

[Marrah_G]

7. Use Spybot - Seek and Destroy

It's free and it's good. There are an enormous amount of scams out there and often they add more malware then they remove.

Also do a "Disk Cleanup" and a 'Disk Defragment"

This should help your system a great deal.

[Breeze54]

8. Yup and Spyblaster!

To the OP-
Be careful with that! Be very careful. Some of those programs wipeout needed registry entries.

If your computer is slow, then do the maintenance required and do a defrag.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

9. Here are some tools that are time-tested.

I would not mess with the registry. Make a backup of it before you do if you are going to use any kind of registry cleaner.

It is possible you picked up a bug. You might try these steps if you are still having trouble.

Best anti-spyware programs out there that are free...recommended by the MVP's at Microsoft are:

Ad-Aware 2007 Personal Edition http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007-Free/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

Spybot-Search & Destroy at http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10122137.html?part=dl-spybot&subj=dl&

And to prevent spyware from coming through your browser :

SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 from http://www.download.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022-10196637.html?part=dl-SpywareBl&subj=dl&tag=button

Download and update definitions, then run Ad-Aware and Spybot S & D in safemode. SpywareBlaster runs in normal mode in background.

[Breeze54]

10. Yup and get Firefox and stop using Internet Explorer!!

;)

[HCE SuiGeneris]

11. Yup

:hi:

[seriousstan]

12. Don't do it.

[blogslut]

13. Crap Cleaner, baby

It does what it sez and its free:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

[CatWoman]

16. that's bullshit

that's not free!!

after it scans, it wants you to purchase the product to fix the items it caught.

[blogslut]

17. no it doesn't

I've been using it for years and it has always been free. What are you talking about?

[CatWoman]

18. my bad

I clicked on the link in the "ad" column :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush:

don't hit me, BS :)

[blogslut]

19. I won't

I saw that as too. Pccleaner. Pretty fucking sneaky. But trust me, the real program is completely free. It also warns you if you're about to delete stuff you need. I looked forever for something that would get the crap (reg entries, temp files, dupe files, install logs, etc) and this one does it safely and I just love it.

Granted, that doesn't mean you should neglect all the other sage advice in this thread. Get good anti-spyware software for sure. I like Hijackthis - Spyware Blaster - AdAware.

AVG -Anti-virus is a good anti-v program. Although, it's kind of a resource hog and you gotta make sure to always choose the FREE version when installing new versions.

I used to love Zone Alarm for a firewall but it got to be a total resource hog too. Now I use Tiny Personal Firewall.

And one more thing, sometimes an older version of software is better than a new version. That is why one of my favorite download sites is www.oldversion.com.

See? No violence. :hi:

[sendero]

15. Registry issues..

.... can slow a system down, but it will be most apparent on bootup. If the thing seems to take forever to boot, Id' suspect the registry.

All of the other suggestions here are good as well - spyware, and especially anti-virus software will really slow things down. (I don't believe anti-virus programs are worth the trouble, just don't do dumb things and you won't get a virus anyway :))