clean windows?

[Guest]

Hi I posted this in a forum called reinstalling windows, but can't find that
forum now,

Posting here:

I have been having registry problems as well, and other problems, i.e. html
documents try to open in photo-shop, nothing opens in the appropriate
software anymore, stuff like that. I bought registry repair, thinking it
would help but now it's worse, even after restoring in registry repair, and
numerous system restores. System restores fixed some problems but…. It’s
still a mess.

I lost my sound in registry, virus scanning software became corrupted, (I
have that fixed now), none of my software or shortcuts worked. I reinstalled
software, but shortcuts still a problem. Nothing points to where it should.
Nothing opens where it should.

I want my money back on the registry repair I think, what do people think of
registry repair software? Or was my registry so messed up to begin with, that
“cleaning†it just created more problems.

I have been thinking about doing the “thing†where one starts with
functions keys, F-12, then F-8, start in safe mode, then go to system
restore. There is also a F-11 in there somewhere. I don't know what one
calls that exactly, but I did this with the manufacturer's tech over a year
ago, to remedy problems and get rid of viruses etc. It restores the computer
to the day you took computer out of the box. Drivers are intact, Windows XP
intact, etc. But I loose software that I added, my email setting, address
book, bookmarks in browser. I also have to reinstall all hardware and
peripherals, like printer, scanner. But I need instructions.

I would like links to explicit instructions, if anyone understands this, and
what is it called?

At this point I don’t really care if I loose my bookmarks and address book,
I just want a clean computer, but don’t want to do anything more drastic than
necessary.

Please help, BooBoo

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi I posted this in a forum called reinstalling windows, but can't find that
forum now,

Posting here:

I have been having registry problems as well, and other problems, i.e. html
documents try to open in photo-shop, nothing opens in the appropriate
software anymore, stuff like that. I bought registry repair, thinking it
would help but now it's worse, even after restoring in registry repair, and
numerous system restores. System restores fixed some problems but…. It’s
still a mess.

I lost my sound in registry, virus scanning software became corrupted, (I
have that fixed now), none of my software or shortcuts worked. I reinstalled
software, but shortcuts still a problem. Nothing points to where it should.
Nothing opens where it should.

I want my money back on the registry repair I think, what do people think of
registry repair software? Or was my registry so messed up to begin with, that
“cleaning” it just created more problems.

I have been thinking about doing the “thing” where one starts with
functions keys, F-12, then F-8, start in safe mode, then go to system
restore. There is also a F-11 in there somewhere. I don't know what one
calls that exactly, but I did this with the manufacturer's tech over a year
ago, to remedy problems and get rid of viruses etc. It restores the computer
to the day you took computer out of the box. Drivers are intact, Windows XP
intact, etc. But I loose software that I added, my email setting, address
book, bookmarks in browser. I also have to reinstall all hardware and
peripherals, like printer, scanner. But I need instructions.

I would like links to explicit instructions, if anyone understands this, and
what is it called?

At this point I don’t really care if I loose my bookmarks and address book,
I just want a clean computer, but don’t want to do anything more drastic than
necessary.

Please help, BooBoo

Registry Repair/Cleaning utilities are vastly overhyped, and all too
often those who use them end up in situations similar to what you have
described.

There are some instances where these utilities can be useful, but they
are relatively rare and therefore most users should avoid these
utilities unless they are absolutely certain that:
1: The registry repair/cleaner will actually fix the problem(s) that
they are having. And there are very few situations where this is
true.
2. There is no other safer method of fixing these problems.


It appears that you purchased your computer with Windows XP
preinstalled and that the manufacturer has included a "System
Recovery" process that puts your machine back to the way it was when
it left the factory instead of supplying a Windows XP Installation
disk. This does limit your options for repairing your system
because, as you have discovered, everything you have installed, saved,
and/or configured on the machine is wiped out by this procedure.

Should you ever get to the point where you feel that you need to use
this "System Recovery" procedure again here are the steps you should
follow in order to minimize the problems afterwards.

1. Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP to save
your user data files and configuration settings to a network drive or
to a folder named c:\transfer on your hard drive.
2. If you save to c:\transfer then save that folder and its contents
to a CD/DVD, assuming you do have a CD/DVD burner drive in your
machine.
3. Do the "System Recovery"
4. Use Windows Update to get your machine back to the same update
status as it was before the recovery process.
5. Reinstall your applications
6. Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to import your saved
information from step 1.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Guest]

Hi, thanks for your response....my responses and further questions below:

Registry Repair/Cleaning utilities are vastly overhyped, and all too
often those who use them end up in situations similar to what you have
described.

There are some instances where these utilities can be useful, but they
are relatively rare and therefore most users should avoid these
utilities unless they are absolutely certain that:
1: The registry repair/cleaner will actually fix the problem(s) that
they are having. And there are very few situations where this is
true.
2. There is no other safer method of fixing these problems.

Yes, I just contacted them again about a request for refund.

It appears that you purchased your computer with Windows XP

preinstalled

YES! but I also have a reinstallation disk for windows xp, as well as
appropriate drivers and utilities disk, a disk for the monitor, (user
documentation) and a disk for some applications. Since I don’t remember how
exactly to do this “system recoveryâ€, with the function keys as I sketched in
my previous post, (I tried from my notes and it didn’t work and it’s been too
long to remember….hence asking for detailed instructions), I assume by what
you are saying that yes indeed, I could reinstall Windows XP from my disk.
The reason I am not on the phone with Dell Tech support is that I have been,
but my 1-year warrantee ran out a month ago

And that the manufacturer has included a "System
Recovery" process that puts your machine back to the way it was when
it left the factory instead of supplying a Windows XP Installation

disk.

Dell doesn’t seem to give out their “recovery†process on their website, I
have to pay them now, to walk me through it. And reinstalling Windows from
my disk would fix my registry and other problems in operating system? I
assume so. Would I have to also reinstall the drivers, etc.? I assume not.
Dell initially told me that doing it their way, (that I can’t remember
clearly), would be faster and easier than using the reinstallation disk. I
don't care right now.

This does limit your options for repairing your system
because, as you have discovered, everything you have installed, saved,
and/or configured on the machine is wiped out by this procedure.

Should you ever get to the point where you feel that you need to use
this "System Recovery" procedure again here are the steps you should
follow in order to minimize the problems afterwards.

1. Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP

where is transfer wizard for windows?

to save your user data files and configuration settings to a network drive or
to a folder named c:\transfer on your hard drive.
2. If you save to c:\transfer then save that folder and its contents
to a CD/DVD, assuming you do have a CD/DVD burner drive in your
machine.
3. Do the "System Recovery"

in my case now, use the windows reinstallation disk?

4. Use Windows Update

Where is Windows Update?

to get your machine back to the same update
status as it was before the recovery process.
5. Reinstall your applications
6. Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to import your saved

information from step 1.

Cool, thanks for being so helpful, BooBoo AKA Peggy

 

[Ron Martell]

preinstalled

YES! but I also have a reinstallation disk for windows xp, as well as
appropriate drivers and utilities disk, a disk for the monitor, (user
documentation) and a disk for some applications. Since I don’t remember how
exactly to do this “system recovery”, with the function keys as I sketched in
my previous post, (I tried from my notes and it didn’t work and it’s been too
long to remember….hence asking for detailed instructions), I assume by what
you are saying that yes indeed, I could reinstall Windows XP from my disk.
The reason I am not on the phone with Dell Tech support is that I have been,
but my 1-year warrantee ran out a month ago

If you have a "reinstallation" disk from Dell then it could have a
number of different configuration/reinstall options, including one
that could allow you to do the equivalent of a "Repair Install" of
your Windows XP.

The best way of checking this is to reboot your computer with the
reinstallation disk in the drive, let it boot from that CD, and see
what the opening menu says. If I recall correctly it should give you
several different options.

Dell doesn’t seem to give out their “recovery” process on their website, I
have to pay them now, to walk me through it. And reinstalling Windows from
my disk would fix my registry and other problems in operating system? I
assume so. Would I have to also reinstall the drivers, etc.? I assume not.
Dell initially told me that doing it their way, (that I can’t remember
clearly), would be faster and easier than using the reinstallation disk. I
don't care right now.

As I said above, it depends on just how Dell configured that
reinstallation disk and what specific options it gives you for
reinstalling Windows.

where is transfer wizard for windows?

Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Files and Settings
Transfer Wizard. See Files and Settings Transfer Wizard by MVP Gary
Woodruff: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

Where is Windows Update?

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Guest]

thank you, I will try your suggestions.

If you have a "reinstallation" disk from Dell then it could have a
number of different configuration/reinstall options, including one
that could allow you to do the equivalent of a "Repair Install" of
your Windows XP.

The best way of checking this is to reboot your computer with the
reinstallation disk in the drive, let it boot from that CD, and see
what the opening menu says. If I recall correctly it should give you
several different options.




As I said above, it depends on just how Dell configured that
reinstallation disk and what specific options it gives you for
reinstalling Windows.



Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Files and Settings
Transfer Wizard. See Files and Settings Transfer Wizard by MVP Gary
Woodruff: http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm



http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."