I am looking at many registry scan/backup/repair/restore tools.

Is it adviseable to use one?

If so, which would you recommend?


Are you aware of any problems with or caveats regarding PCTools "Registry Mechanic". Thanks for your advice.

There seem to be some programs that are difficult to completely uninstall without a tool, such as Comodo firewall.

Do you have any suggestions for a good firewall? I really liked Sygate, but they were bought out.

I would like something similar to sygate. Freeware would be nice, but I will pay for one that is good and easy to use.

Thanks!

I know this is really two or three questions here.

Hi Karebac

Registry Mechanic.... I don't like such one-click-optimizing tools cause they are suggesting an easy usage. But when newbies are using settings without a solid and deeper knowledge about how the registry they'll get unexpected results. That can include a complete new installation of a system in the worst case.

well I use CCleaner to check the registry for dead entries, RegCleaner to keep it lean.

My personal advice for a desktop firewall is OutPost but you have to pay for it. Believe me it's worth each buck you have to pay.
Comodo and Kerio are superb products and working brilliant and freeware...

Greetz
B. Udo

Thanks! If I want to install outpost, or any other firewall, how do I determine what firewalls are already in place, and then totally remove them? I understand that it is not advisable to have more than one fire wall installed.

Rumor has it, for example that comodo is difficult to uninstall, and one must manually clean the registry (and i am too inexperienced) thanks for suggestions

I read up on ccleaner, and it sounds simple for me to use. Do I need to be a rocket scientist or assembly language programmer to use ccleaner?

If there is some knowledge that I require to be a safe ccleaner user, then where must I go and what must I do to gain such knowledge. Are there any useful tutorials? Thanks!

Not the easiest..but what Microsoft has to say on the subject.


How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

Article ID : 307545
Last Review : January 31, 2007
Revision : 10.9


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

I downloaded REGCLEANER, and followed some links, to learn that it is no longer supported. I joined the forum which REGCLEANER mentioned

http://www.macecraft.com/phpBB2/index.php

and learned that jv16powertools and REGSUPREME are the current programs which correspont to REGCLEANER.

There are technicians who still use REGCLEANER and say it works very well, but it is no longer supported by the author.

Anyway, since I am a beginner, who desires to learn about backingup, modifying and restoring the registry, it occurs to me to purchase a very cheap machine, and windows xp, so that I can install and reinstall and ruin the machine as often as I please, with no inconvenience or loss.

If I were you wanting to ruin a machine is not the best idea. I would use VMware and create a virtual machine, then see what effects your expirements have on that. Then if it breaks you can just close the virtual machine then start again. I think there is also other programs out there that let you do this kind of thing, without going through this process.

I have heard of a program called shadow surfer. Its not freeare but it does the kind of thing I just described.

QUOTE

ShadowSurfer ShadowMode™ provides a safe computing environment by creating a virtual twin of your PC. Restore the pre-ShadowMode state of your computer no matter what changes have occurred.

You can read up on shadow surfer here: http://www.shadowstor.com/download.html



Id also grab it whilst you can. At the moment they are giving it away free. With a coupon code found on their website, I think you have to be a member though. Ill give it more of a research a little later for you.



Have a great day

Nebon

Erunt + NTRegopt

Probably the best free registry and optimizer tool.

Okay some alternatives to shadowsurfer are mentioned here : http://gladiator-antivirus.com/forum/index...showtopic=49707

I am using Registry Mechanic as second reg cleaner sometime, without problems. It sets a Restore Point before cleaning :)

Freebie first choice is RegSeeker Registry Cleaner and it is pre-set to make backup before cleaning(check that and verify before going ahead) and it is widely used.

Temp cleaners - CCleaner is a good one as The Sentinel said; I like/use CleanCache.

jv16 and Ace Utilities are excellent.

Of course, for all programs, user must carefully go through the options/settings and take care to think about the implications of what will be deleted - ie: delete Recycle Bin? well, no; sometimes it is a life-saver to be able to recover a deleted file; Suggestion: review the recycle bin then clear it manually.

LOL in fact, if one can sacrifice an inexpensive machine for testing and learning, it's an excellent way to experiment and learn alot! :)