Re: Registry Mechanic 8 for Windows

[Mara]

I have a lovely friend that is having a horrible time with her computer - and sadly, it's impossible for her to join our wonderful site here.

 

While I realize that normally touching one's Registry is more than a tad dangerous for someone who is unskilled, I'm hoping so much that this below program (which has apparently been lauded by many), is something that is also trusted by our members here - and if so, would it be fairly easy to 'self run' once installed?

 

Thanks ever so much once again.

 

Registry Mechanic - Registry Cleaner, Free Registry Repair Software

[Goku]

No, Mara don't use the program at any cost as it could make matters worse. The hype and good reviews you read in the market are published by the companies and their affiliates themselves. In fact, no registry cleaner is good so please remove the thought of using one. Here is the reason.

 

Can you tell us what exact problem your friend is facing so we may try to look up a solution for her?

 

Hope that helps. :)

 

-- Goku

[Mara]

Just reading that article has confirmed that this and all other 'registry cleaner' programs are simply not the answer and shouldn't be used. Had hoped somehow this one may be different. - but what an awakening to know that "The hype and good reviews are published by the companies and their affiliates themselves" - shame on them!!

 

Thank you for both your wise advice and your kind offer to help my friend with the problems,Goku.

 

As near as I can understand, her computer is nearly at a stand-still. This wonderful and loving and once articulate and extremely bright lady is ill and I suspect one of the problems could be because she no longer quite understands either the need to use defrag and disk cleanup ... or for that matter, how to do them anymore.

 

The problem is compounded by my living on opposite ends of the continent from her - so guess what I'm really hoping for is a very simple to run program that 'sort of does everything' (if such a thing exists).

 

And if such a thing does exist, I thought perhaps I could download and then work out a very simple step by step set of instructions on how to use the program ... something I could help her with while on the phone and unable to see her screen.

 

Truly do understand if 'one magical do-all' program doesn't exist - but regardless, thank you again for your offer to help if possible, Goku - your kindness is lovely indeed.

[Goku]

Hello Mara. Your goodness and kind words embarasses me. I thank you for it. :)

 

System slowdown can be caused by low disk space as well as a host of other problems so let us start with the basics; cleaning up disk space. The best disk space cleaning utility out there is CCleaner which, fortunately, is free too. It is very simple to use but if you like, you can use the instructions from here to guide your friend on the phone.

 

If that doesn't resolve the problem, then we will move on to the next step i.e disk defragmentation.

 

And by the way, there a host of applications that claim to do all PC maintenance tasks but they are as reliable as registry cleaners so it is better and safer to use individual disk maintenance applications.

 

Hope that helps. :)

 

-- Goku

[Mara]

It does help and thank you so very much once again!

 

I'll bookmark the site for tonight (it's after 11pm here already) ... and send her (via email) the actual link tomorrow ... and just ask her to not do anything until I phone her.

 

Shall read the instructions you were kind enough to provide a link too, as well ... and if necessary, 're-write' into a simpler form. (Not that there will be anything wrong with the instructions, I know ... it's just that each and every step leading up to the download plus installation and use must be ever so easy to follow).

 

Once that's done, I'll send them via email too and ask she print them off ... plus work with her on the telephone step-by-step until C Cleaner is done.

 

Thank you once again, kind man!

[Goku]

Please do Mara but let us know the final results. :)

 

-- Goku

[RandyL]

Mara pay particular attention to Gokus instructions about NOT using the registry app in CCleaner.

[Goku]

Oh, I forgot about that; thanks for the amendment Randy. :)

 

By the way Mara, here is FPCH's very own debate on the use of registry cleaners. You may want to peruse it to get a better picture.

 

-- Goku

[DSTM]

Mara won't mind me having an opinion here,I'm sure.

Asking a novice to alter the default settings in CCLEANER is somewhat risky.

It sets a restore point, so why not leave all on default?

It cost me dearly, when I attempted to make changes, in CCLEANER, when I first got a computer.$370 FOR 2 reinstalls.

A novice doesn't know, what to delete, and what to allow.

And I am speaking from experience.:)

[Dalo Harkin]

Mara -

the slowdowns that most pcs tend to suffer from the most are startups and shut downs and these are caused by lots of start up items being loaded unnecessarily.

If there are lots of items in the bottom right taskbar then thats normally a bad sign.

If there are then you can get her to post a screenshot and send it to you where you can then post it and we can have a look.

Get her to open a run window and then type msconfig and look at the startup tab - EXPAND the view and then screenshot. (print screen and paste into whatever program to send to you)

 

Depending on what type of Security Suite your friend has there may be an inbuilt 'tune up utilty' these are normally only VERY limited - but they should help somewhat - they are normally just a one click start program

Edited January 7, 2009 by Dalo Harkin

[Goku]

Thanks for your opinion Doug, we appreciate it. However, if you read the instructions carefully, then you will see that they are faulty due to my stupidity. I - er - forgot to change the second screen shot so both of them depict the same settings. Otherwise, I have set the Advanced settings considering the "novice user's" safety.

 

I will correct it sometime later as I am a bit tired at the moment. Once again, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

-- Goku

[DSTM]

I wasn't picking,mate,as you do a wonderful job, helping everybody,including us Novices.

The point I am trying to make, is that all advice and instuctions, have to be clear and precise,otherwise we get lost quick.:)

Or is it only me?:D

 

EDIT. Wolfey hits the nail on the head in Post 19 Here,in which Wolfey says,in part "CCLEANER can be lethal in the wrong hands."

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/off-topic-civilised-discussion-world-news-etc/2059-registry-cleaners.html

Edited January 7, 2009 by DSTM

[Mara]

Although my friend has down downloaded C Cleaner, she has promised not to do a single thing with it until a bit later.

 

In the interim, I've asked about programs she's downloaded - and apparently not a single program has been downloaded and she's just got what came with the computer. And this sadly includes not a single anti-virus or malware program. Egad and huge gentle sigh. (And I blame myself for this as ages ago I sent links to each of my free security programs - and foolishly never realized she had no idea what to do next and was too embarrassed to ask- and worse, I never followed through later).

 

I suggested she take a screen shot, as suggested, until we get the C Cleaner going but suddenly realized that I use 'Snag Screen' and have no idea how to do a 'print screen and paste into whatever program'. (This really is a case of 'the blind leading the blind' - another gentle smile). Do know one hits the 'Print Screen' button on the keyboard ... but then?

 

- - -

I wonder if I may ask something that may - hopefully - not be needed. Since it's physically impossible for her to take her computer out for repair/adjusting/cleaning out any possible bugs ... and having a service person come in is apparently very expensive (and she refuses to let me pay) ... how safe is it to allow a service person to use a remote access type service, I wonder.

 

While I realize that one would be able to see the mouse zipping around on one's screen while the computer was being repaired, she honestly may not be able to tell if her financial records were accessed. Would there be a way to, for instance, allow access to everything except a certain section?

 

Just writing this has reminded me how incredibly lucky I am in my life - and that includes having found this wonderful site filled with the very kindest of people - such a sincere thank you coming to each of you and I only hope you know how many lives you touch with your kindess.

[Dalo Harkin]

Hmm - I personally would not allow anyone remote access to my pc (other than me)

If there is no other way then she would need to remove the files that she does not want accessed - say to a CD/DVD and then put them back on once the repairs are done.

She will still have windows firewall and although it is not as strong as other programs it should suffice - if your friend does not use the net alot then she may have got away with not having an AV program.

 

To get a screenshot - I normally get what I want on screen and then press print screen - then you can open say excel or paint and right click on a new page and paste (shortcut CTRL and V)

[DSTM]

If I could add to Dalo's last Post. There would be no advantage, for someone to remote access, your Computer, Dalo,for obvios reasons.

 

There is absolutely no reason, not to have someone access your PC,if you know and trust them. Anyone else Big NO.

You are watching their every move, and with one click of the mouse,cancells their control.

It is by far the quickest way, to get your Computer woes fixed.

Two respected Members, from this Site,have accessed my PC,dozens of times,

in the past,and done a wonderful job.

Great when you have Voip as well,as you both can discuss problems, as they fix your stuff ups,and believe me I had plenty.:D

So in certain circumstances,remote access. is marvellous.

The next best Computer help,is Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help,bar none.:)

[BeeCeeBee]

This thread was started by Mara regarding an issue with a registry tool.

 

Let me be very clear here. Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help does not engage in remote access as a forum tool. In the right hands it can be extremely useful but all of the issues of trust mentioned above should be considered.

 

If one member has helped another in the past based on a personal relationship, etc. That is a private matter and not to be requested please.

 

By the way, Dougie, thanks for that last sentence!!

Edited January 9, 2009 by BeeCeeBee

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Thanks Dougie...........................twice. :)

[Mara]

First, thanks so much for the 'how to' re Print Screen, Dalo! (Hopefully this will make everyone laugh when I share that with my first computer I spend ages thumping away on that pesky 'Print Screen' screen waiting for the page I was viewing to magically come out of my printer! :)).

 

And I promise you, beeceebee, I wasn't going to request that any of our wonderful members here ever assist my friend by using 'remote access' - gentle smile. (I only mentioned it as a 'last ditch' fix should a time come when this lovely friend no longer be able to comprehend instructions well enough to follow the great help I'm receiving for her here and passing along. Had thought I could hire a tech from a repair shop in her area but now, because of your help, I know this wouldn't be a possible option simply because should that time come, she'd also be unable to remove financial info and then re-add it after the 'fix' was completed).

 

I smiled when reading your comments and how wonderful you've got friends that you can both trust and are talented enough to help you using remote access, DSTM! Gosh if only I was a talented as your friends are, I could help her with one of the remote fixes myself! For her though, it's the not remembering to 'click to stop' part that would worry me endlessly.

 

And today is the day that she and I are working together to install and then use the C Cleaner program. Thank you again Goku for taking the time to both provide the link to the program and how to use it - really, really do appreciate it! (And I've made a huge notation to myself to not use the registry application in CCleaner, as you suggested, Randy).

 

Thank you once again! Huge happy smile!

[Mara]

Just thought I'd pop back in to say that my friend's computer is now running wonderfully! Thank you!!!!!!! Edited January 24, 2009 by Mara

[Goku]

Wow Mara. Your words lift my moods to the best and give me a new vigour to help everyone around the Forum. I sincerely thank you for that. :)

 

By the way, what we do to help you, is nothing compared to what you contribute to the Forums which makes us such a great community.

 

Feel free to post any other doubts or questions you may have.

 

-- Goku