tech question regarding registries

[Asharad]

Okay, a friend of mine (really) has a couple of things in his registry which are causing problems on boot up.

They are reminats of old programs (spyware stuff) which have been removed and which adaware can't touch.

Any clue as to how to remove the specific programs (I know their names and all) from the registry?

Also, he has a ton of processes running in the background that automatically start on boot up. Anyway way to cut down on these? How do you stop programs from loading automatically and running in the background?

[DinbinFanfoom]

1) Back up your data.
2) You know what I'm gonna say here... :lol:

[Serani]

To stop programs from running on startup:

Start, Run: msconfig

There's a tab for Startup.

De-select anything you don't want to run. You actually don't have to allow any of that to run on startup. I usually leave systray and that kind of thing alone, though.

As for registry entries. Run regedit. Under edit, search and type in the name of the program. F3 allows you to search again. You can simply delete any registry entries pertaining to that program.

You should always be careful and make sure that you're deleting the registry entry that you want. Windows can be a beeyotch if the registry gets screwed up. It'll restore an old one and you'll lose some installation information. Which can be a pain in the arse to restore or rebuild. (Usually involves re-installing those programs).

[Asharad]

excellent, thanks for the info.

Its actually just one program in the registry that windows looks for upon bootup, so editing the programs that start on boot might fix it.

[Zyzzyx]

Also, he has a ton of processes running in the
background that automatically start on boot up. Anyway way to cut down on these? How do you stop programs from loading automatically and running in the background?

That's easy... don't turn the computer on.


/em scurries on outta here

[DinbinFanfoom]

Also, Sneaky Programs That Want to Stay On Your Computer (TM) rarely have meaningful registry entry titles, I've found. :lol:

[Drax]

Ooo, a computer question I can answer!

From the Start Menu, go to Run and type msconfig in the space provided. You'll get a window with, I think, six or so tabs. Go to the fourth tab (I'm on my work PC, so I cannot double check the names).

Therein, you'll have a list of applications that start up when your PC does. There are eight applications on my PC that are required for normal operations to happen, properly, plus I use ZoneAlarm as well. But by having only those nine files activate upon startup, my PC operates with ~88% free memory, according to the Performance tab when I rightclick MyComputer-Properties.

I'll check the files tonight and post what they are, specifically, tho' you likely already know or can guess.

Edit: Damn. I didn't update the screen when I got back in, and lots of usurpers took away my glory. CURSE YOU ALL! :evil:

[Draknor]

I answered after you. I assume that means I'm not included in that curse.

I edited my registry in an attempt to obliterate all traces of the video card and soundcard/faxmodem (yes, on one card, I will NEVER buy a HP again) that came with my computer. I missed some stuff. A format and clean install seems to be the easiest way unless you know exactly what you're doing.

[Raveneye]

Several program suites come with terrific programs that can clean your registry of entries no longer used by anything or that are in error.

Norton Systemworks is one I like, but McAfee and others have them too.

You could always try looking on http://www.tucows.com for Registry Cleaning Utilities to see what's available free or as shareware. Go with whatever seems to be rated best, tucows users are a pretty tough bunch to please! :)