Looking for freeware that checks/repairs registry for WinXP
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Looking for freeware that checks/repairs registry for WinXP

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mill Valley, CA
    Posts
    233

    Looking for freeware that checks/repairs registry for WinXP

    If anyone has any recommendations for a reliable freeware that can scan and repair registry issues for myWin XP SP3 desktop machine (AMD Dual Core), 3 gig RAM clone please let me know.. The machine works OK but after removing some malware that disabled the NIC card, there are some errors in Event Viewer thatI have been unable to repair in the registry.

    The errors are in the Service Control Manager, event ID 7000 and acpi event 12. I'm not a technician and am looking for an easy fix.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Daly City, CA
    Posts
    22,550
    Registry cleaners/optimizers are not recommended for several reasons:

    • Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.

      The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.
    • Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad entry". One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.
    • Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes. If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.
    • Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.
    • The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results".

    Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mill Valley, CA
    Posts
    233
    OK.. thanks.

    Does anyone there know how to fix the errors in the WinXP Event viewer I mentioned in the original thread?

    Thanks.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2000
    Location
    Sheboygan, WI
    Posts
    53,392
    How long has XP been installed?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Daly City, CA
    Posts
    22,550
    Every computer has some errors in Event Viewer.
    If the machine is working fine there is no reason to dig around Event Viewer.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mill Valley, CA
    Posts
    233
    Win XP has been on the machine since it was built. It functions fine other than a slight hanging at Welcome during boot up.

    Broni.. OK.. I understand. I will just live with the slight delay at the Welcome screen during boot up. Others have suggested I use Hibernate rather than Shut Down and it does indeed boot up much faster than the standard boot process. Thanks.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •