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General discussion

Utilies gone amuck

by Chilin99 Jun 8, 2007 2:36PM PDT

I've tried several utilities to diagnose and fix problems relating to registry, software, windows set up, storage, etc.
They always seem to cause more problems than they solve. I gave up on Norton long ago after spending a fortune to fix it's "services".
Most recently I've used VCOM SystemSuite after seeing it recommended in a pc magazine.
For last several months I keep finding programs that were installed are no longer there. My best guess is that they were removed by System Suite. I don't know exactly what I last ran from the suite before that.

I have Windows XP with a clean installation, more than enough hard drive space (60 gigs unused) and use Firefox for browsing. HP Pavilion 9800. Purchased 6/2001. I've replaced hard drive and just about everything else on it.

Are there any utilities with registry repair, unistall, and software diagnostics that can really be used safely? Is it a fair assumption that the utility program uninstalled my programs - at least 10 programs and many mainstays? It didn't delete any data thank God.

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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On XP registry "repair" is unusual.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 8, 2007 10:25PM PDT

I'd try to find out why this machine needs this. Is there some spyware that is breaking the machine? What error messages are you seeing?

Bob

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Correction
by Chilin99 Jun 9, 2007 1:17AM PDT

I didn't mean to say my machine requires registry repair. I'm thinking utility program do that but they may not call the process one of "repair". These programs offer to review registry and correct any errors. And I'm asking which prgrams do that safely.
Thanks for your response.

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None I fear.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 9, 2007 1:56AM PDT

Even the best registry "clean" or "repair" programs have removed keys that I've found to be needed later. This area is best left alone unless there is an issue.

What some remember is Windows 98 days where such paid off.

Bob

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Thank you
by Chilin99 Jun 9, 2007 2:50AM PDT

That explains alot. I've been thru DOS, 3.1, 98, ME and nox XP. So I was bringing assumptions from prior versions.

So I don't have to feel negligent if I don't do any maintenance with the registry.

I get a little nervous because my hard drive hasn't been formatted since Oct of 2003. And I install a lot of programs. I don't uninstall too many but do some.

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Let me share it's been awhile but I used to clean with this.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 9, 2007 2:53AM PDT
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