More computer troubles

Paul Hanson · April 8, 2003, 06:43

This time, it involves the registry.

Every time I start my computer up, it complains that it's found an error with the registry, and tells me to restart so it can fix the problem. The first time it did this, I noticed that it set all the computer's settings back to it's defaults (monitor refresh rate set back to default, multiple user accounts deleted, etc.). And now it complains of an error every time you start it up.

How the hell can I fix it? It's a P350 running Windows Me (BTW, I've tried System Restore but it seems that no-one bothered to set a restore point on it, so that's not an option).

P.S. Not smart-arse comments about this being my punishment for using Windows Me or any crap like that. If it's any consolation, the computer I'm typing this from is using Windows 2000.

Richelieu · April 8, 2003, 06:48

Good luck.

TheStinger · April 8, 2003, 06:50

shouldn't use windows ME

sorry

curtsibling · April 8, 2003, 06:51

Start in safe mode, or if you can get on the net, aqquire the cool utility:

"Reg Cleaner"

Found here!

Download now, at bottom of page!

This utility can automatically clean the registry or wipe it all, to start afresh...

Worth a go! And it's free!

Also try and get Ad-Aware from Lavasoft...

Skanky Burns · April 8, 2003, 06:51

If you're going to be using an older operating system, your best bet would most likely be 98. Its more stable.

This sounds like one of those problems that are easier to fix by a reinstall, so its a good time as any to change OS.

curtsibling · April 8, 2003, 06:54

Also, backup all files now!

Urban Ranger · April 8, 2003, 09:07

Good, cheap sledgehammer for sell

Willem · April 8, 2003, 09:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
If you're going to be using an older operating system, your best bet would most likely be 98. Its more stable.

Man oh man, Windows ME must be really bad if you say that 98 is stable in comparison. If he's going for an OS change, you should be recommending XP. I've only had one problem in the 8 months or so that I've had it, and that was my fault.

curtsibling · April 8, 2003, 09:27

I use ME, never had any poblems...

Urban Ranger · April 8, 2003, 10:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Willem
If he's going for an OS change, you should be recommending XP.

On a P350?

Willem · April 8, 2003, 10:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger

On a P350?

I'm running it on a Celeron 400 with no problems, XP Pro no less. The P350 actually benchmarks faster than what I have now, according to the old Norton Utility tests I ran awhile back.

Urban Ranger · April 8, 2003, 11:16

The speed of a snail.

Willem · April 8, 2003, 12:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
The speed of a snail.

Yeah well, I can't afford to upgrade at the moment. It's been on my wish list for quite awhile.

Actually, I've found that almost everything runs faster with XP than it did when I had 98, especially when it comes to file transfers. I haven't seen any evidence in fact that my system is any slower than it was before. Mind you I had to get more RAM, but that's been the only real difference that I've noticed.

Except that I don't have a system crash every few months as I used to do; it's been extremely stable. The only time I've had a problem was because of my own doing; I cut the power when I shouldn't have.

Urban Ranger · April 8, 2003, 22:19

If you stick to MS stuff, I'd say 2K is a bit better. Takes up less resouces and is stable (as far as MS OS goes). Of course, *nix is better still.

Richelieu · April 8, 2003, 22:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
If you stick to MS stuff, I'd say 2K is a bit better. Takes up less resouces and is stable (as far as MS OS goes). Of course, *nix is better still.

Let me guess : you're using * instead of U because you think Asher is doing searches on the word Unix, right ?

Urban Ranger · April 9, 2003, 07:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Richelieu
Let me guess : you're using * instead of U because you think Asher is doing searches on the word Unix, right ?

You're a non-geek, since *nix is standard usage referring to Unix and all work alikes (Solaris, Linux, BSD, etc.).

Richelieu · April 9, 2003, 07:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger

You're a non-geek, since *nix is standard usage referring to Unix and all work alikes (Solaris, Linux, BSD, etc.).

OK.

I liked mine better though...

Urban Ranger · April 9, 2003, 07:25

No, Glonkie just searches for (Microsoft OR MSFT OR MS OR M$).

SpencerH · April 9, 2003, 10:42

I've found that once a year or so I have to backup my files, format my HD and re-install win98se, then the security updates etc. There are just too many registry conflicts caused by 'critical' updates to this and that program and the crap added without any permission by companies such as REAL (*******s). I left Norton out of this last install and now I dont have any registry problems after the PC wakes.

Urban Ranger · April 9, 2003, 11:13

The fewer programs you have running on a Wintel box, the better. I haven't had an anti-virus shield running for years, and that didn't cause me any trouble. A senible approach to attached files is way more important than any virus scanners you may have.

SpencerH · April 9, 2003, 11:48

The threat of programs hidden within other format code is troubling though.

Urban Ranger · April 9, 2003, 12:57

Quote:

Originally posted by SpencerH
The threat of programs hidden within other format code is troubling though.

I am not sure what you mean. Please elaborate.

SpencerH · April 9, 2003, 14:08

There has been reports of malicious code hiding within jpgs and mp3's. Firewalls and attachment screening wont block their activities since one chooses to download them.

Urban Ranger · April 9, 2003, 23:13

Quote:

Originally posted by SpencerH
There has been reports of malicious code hiding within jpgs and mp3's.

Unsubstantiated rumours. Even if somebody finds out how to hide this code while maintaining a meaningful image or audio piece, there's still no way for the code to be executed. Viewers and players won't do it.

The only exception is try to hide the real extension of the attachment by giving it a JPEG/GIF/MP3 etc. extension. You can counter this by showing all extensions (including script files).

Kuciwalker · April 10, 2003, 00:10

There's one thing that runs more slowly in XP, and it drives me INSANE - the ctrl-alt-delete box. XP has this funky "task manager" with all these special features that are completely worthless. Thus, it takes a second or two to come up (and I have a P4 2.0 ghz processor with 256 megs of ram - not a hardware problem), and many more if I'm actually using it to kill something.

SpencerH · April 10, 2003, 08:34

Quote:

Originally posted by Urban Ranger

Unsubstantiated rumours. Even if somebody finds out how to hide this code while maintaining a meaningful image or audio piece, there's still no way for the code to be executed. Viewers and players won't do it.

The only exception is try to hide the real extension of the attachment by giving it a JPEG/GIF/MP3 etc. extension. You can counter this by showing all extensions (including script files).

Thanks for the info.