Ping Bruce - Registry Crud

  • Thread starter Thread starter Saucy Lemon
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Saucy Lemon

I did an experiment. I installed Windows 98 and appropriate drivers.

Then:

1. Added a bogus value to the Run key value to represent stealth software
2. Mucked up a file association
3. Added an extra registry key to Software represent left behind leftover
junk

Then I upgraded Windows 98 by inserting the Windows XP CD-ROM in the drive
while running Windows 98.

Windows XP installed well. A couple drivers didn't make it but I expected
that.

#1. The Run key had no bogus value.
#2. The file association was fixed.
But
#3. The leftover key remained.

So you will have to admit there can be some Registry crud carried over in an
upgrade. Now mind you, it was of the most benign type and was of little
importance - I have to admit that.

Upgrading isn't too important right now. But it will be more important later
in 2006 when many people with "hot" computers decide to upgrade to WinVista.

I read a book once which described the Windows 98 installation routine in
great detail. How it works, how it can recover, logs created and so forth.
I don't know where I could material describing the Windows Vista
installation and upgrade steps. Do you know of any? Or if not, at least for
Windows XP's installation etc. There are a lot of places that show the step
by step for the person installing, that is, "how to", but none which
describe that steps the actual installation routine takes. Any help here
would be appreciated - thanks.
 
Saucy said:
I did an experiment. I installed Windows 98 and appropriate drivers.

Then:

1. Added a bogus value to the Run key value to represent stealth software
2. Mucked up a file association
3. Added an extra registry key to Software represent left behind leftover
junk

Then I upgraded Windows 98 by inserting the Windows XP CD-ROM in the drive
while running Windows 98.

Windows XP installed well. A couple drivers didn't make it but I expected
that.

#1. The Run key had no bogus value.
#2. The file association was fixed.
But
#3. The leftover key remained.

So you will have to admit there can be some Registry crud carried over in an
upgrade. Now mind you, it was of the most benign type and was of little
importance - I have to admit that.
Click to expand...


Actually, I don't. Why do *you* designate a leftover registry key as
"crud?" The term "crud" implies that there is some sort of detrimental
affect caused by this leftover key. What problem did the leftover key
cause? Was the WinXP installation somehow destabilized by it? Anyway,
I had said that a upgrading a properly maintained system was safe. By
definition, a properly maintained system's registry would have no bogus
Run key entry from malware or any broken file associations. Poorly
written uninstallation routines to often leave "leftover" keys, but
these are normally harmless.

Upgrading isn't too important right now. But it will be more important later
in 2006 when many people with "hot" computers decide to upgrade to WinVista.

I read a book once which described the Windows 98 installation routine in
great detail. How it works, how it can recover, logs created and so forth.
I don't know where I could material describing the Windows Vista
installation and upgrade steps. Do you know of any?
Click to expand...


Not as of yet. But I'm sure that there will be several white papers
published concerning upgrades and deployments as we get closer to the
release date.

Or if not, at least for
Windows XP's installation etc. There are a lot of places that show the step
by step for the person installing, that is, "how to", but none which
describe that steps the actual installation routine takes. Any help here
would be appreciated - thanks.
Click to expand...

Can't find anything specific for WinXP, at the moment either. Curious.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Inline:

Bruce said:
Actually, I don't. Why do *you* designate a leftover registry key as
"crud?" The term "crud" implies that there is some sort of
detrimental affect caused by this leftover key. What problem did the
leftover key cause? Was the WinXP installation somehow destabilized
by it? Anyway, I had said that a upgrading a properly maintained
system was safe. By definition, a properly maintained system's
registry would have no bogus Run key entry from malware or any broken
file associations. Poorly written uninstallation routines to often
leave "leftover" keys, but these are normally harmless.
Click to expand...


I liken it to a dirty plate. Left over smudges and scraps that none wants,
that add weight etc.

Not as of yet. But I'm sure that there will be several white papers
published concerning upgrades and deployments as we get closer to the
release date.
Click to expand...


They should be a of fun to read and very interesting.

Can't find anything specific for WinXP, at the moment either. Curious.
Click to expand...


Yes, I went over this issue but abandoned it a while ago. I remember reading
"The Mother of All Windows 98" and they went over the Windows 98 installtion
routine explaining how it worked, how it could recover, what files it used
to monitor itself while installing and so on. I can't ever recall coming
across such a thing for Windows XP. I would like to read one actually, and
one for Windows Vista. I think I will crack that book open again for another
go over it, even though it is ye olde but much loved Windows 98.
 
Saucy said:
Yes, I went over this issue but abandoned it a while ago. I remember reading
"The Mother of All Windows 98" and they went over the Windows 98 installtion
routine explaining how it worked, how it could recover, what files it used
to monitor itself while installing and so on. I can't ever recall coming
across such a thing for Windows XP. I would like to read one actually, and
one for Windows Vista. I think I will crack that book open again for another
go over it, even though it is ye olde but much loved Windows 98.
Click to expand...

This article glosses over the upgrade process, but does indicate that
very little of the original OS is actually carried over directly.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_rc1.asp


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
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