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#1
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Spring cleaning?
Well Ive downloaded ad-aware due to the sluggish behaviour of the computer.
Ive been through and have done alot of tweaking, oh and by the way there has been some much needed fantastic support! There are alot of programs that I do not use and have left trails. My drive is a mess. Is there a way to determine what the good, bad & the ugly is when viewing this? I know in the past I really wasnt too sure where files were going, however, when I go into the c drive I see the files and then a whole lot of junk afterwards. ms-dos application batch file recovered frag file system file security catalogue text document bmk file log file cfg file |
#2
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The distinction is important between the "c--pware" that Ad-aware, or any
anti-spyware tool finds, and any now-unwanted programs that you previously installed. If you need additional HD space, and do not wish to remove any previous programs, adding a second, or third HD, may be the best solution. 40-160 GB IDE drivers have become very inexpensive in this holiday season. I have seen Seagate and WD ATA100 HD's for as low as $29, after rebates, recently. If you really desire to remove the old programs, use the Add-Remove Program wizard to do so. It will be less likely to make a stupid mistake. If you are not knowledgeable enough to remove further items, find someone who is. An alternative is to use, with great discretion, a "cleaner", which will inventory the installed programs, and program remnants, and offer you the choice of which to remove. Be very conservative, at least at first. You can always remove more things later. Unfortunately, some program uninstallers are less than thorough. Undoubtedly, unnecessary remnants will remain in the registry, which can be removed with one of several registry cleaners. These must be used judiciously, also, since a serious mistake can render the machine broken or unbootable. Clean the Registry-- RegClean 4.1a from Microsoft Classes.dat only http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q147/7/69.asp EasyCleaner from ToniArts http://www.saunalahti.fi/tonihele/ecleane.htm RegCleaner from Jouni Vuorio http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/ Registry Pruner" http://www.Karenware.com/powertools/ Shared DLL's only After one, or more, of the above tools have been used (or even if you don't use any), run Scanreg /fix from a clean DOS boot. At a minimum, you will wish to run scanreg /opt /fix, after your program removals, to cleanup: See KB 273889, for details. As always, before undertaking such tasks, make file/drive backups, including "scanreg /backup" and System Restore checkpoints, permitting reversion, if desired. It is best first to temporarily move unwanted data files to special folders, or removable media, for recovery if needed. Such can be deleted or destroyed later when all is known to be well. I also recommend obtaining the free anti-spyware tool, SpyBot, to compliment Ad-aware. No single tool is adequate today. Other excellent similar tools include Spyware Blaster, Pest Patrol, and Spy Sweeper. And use a personal firewall -- the free Zone Alarm is quite good. Many others exist. And CWShredder 2.12, to kill the Cool Web pests. You may wish to consider BHODemon, also, to protect against unwanted browser extensions. As you may begin to realize, the Internet world is a far more dangerous place to your computer. I recently read it takes an average of 15 seconds now for an unprotected machine to be compromised after connection to the Internet -- even via dial-up! Once you have all this in place, repost for advice about pruning your startup group (if you haven't already). You may wish to consider running the free tests at PCPitstop, for additional machine-specific advice. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "Sean" wrote in message ... Well Ive downloaded ad-aware due to the sluggish behaviour of the computer. Ive been through and have done alot of tweaking, oh and by the way there has been some much needed fantastic support! There are alot of programs that I do not use and have left trails. My drive is a mess. Is there a way to determine what the good, bad & the ugly is when viewing this? I know in the past I really wasnt too sure where files were going, however, when I go into the c drive I see the files and then a whole lot of junk afterwards. ms-dos application batch file recovered frag file system file security catalogue text document bmk file log file cfg file |
#3
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jv16 Power Tools gets my vote for clearing out the detritus in the Reg.
Heirloom, old and like it "Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message ... The distinction is important between the "c--pware" that Ad-aware, or any anti-spyware tool finds, and any now-unwanted programs that you previously installed. If you need additional HD space, and do not wish to remove any previous programs, adding a second, or third HD, may be the best solution. 40-160 GB IDE drivers have become very inexpensive in this holiday season. I have seen Seagate and WD ATA100 HD's for as low as $29, after rebates, recently. If you really desire to remove the old programs, use the Add-Remove Program wizard to do so. It will be less likely to make a stupid mistake. If you are not knowledgeable enough to remove further items, find someone who is. An alternative is to use, with great discretion, a "cleaner", which will inventory the installed programs, and program remnants, and offer you the choice of which to remove. Be very conservative, at least at first. You can always remove more things later. Unfortunately, some program uninstallers are less than thorough. Undoubtedly, unnecessary remnants will remain in the registry, which can be removed with one of several registry cleaners. These must be used judiciously, also, since a serious mistake can render the machine broken or unbootable. Clean the Registry-- RegClean 4.1a from Microsoft Classes.dat only http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q147/7/69.asp EasyCleaner from ToniArts http://www.saunalahti.fi/tonihele/ecleane.htm RegCleaner from Jouni Vuorio http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/ Registry Pruner" http://www.Karenware.com/powertools/ Shared DLL's only After one, or more, of the above tools have been used (or even if you don't use any), run Scanreg /fix from a clean DOS boot. At a minimum, you will wish to run scanreg /opt /fix, after your program removals, to cleanup: See KB 273889, for details. As always, before undertaking such tasks, make file/drive backups, including "scanreg /backup" and System Restore checkpoints, permitting reversion, if desired. It is best first to temporarily move unwanted data files to special folders, or removable media, for recovery if needed. Such can be deleted or destroyed later when all is known to be well. I also recommend obtaining the free anti-spyware tool, SpyBot, to compliment Ad-aware. No single tool is adequate today. Other excellent similar tools include Spyware Blaster, Pest Patrol, and Spy Sweeper. And use a personal firewall -- the free Zone Alarm is quite good. Many others exist. And CWShredder 2.12, to kill the Cool Web pests. You may wish to consider BHODemon, also, to protect against unwanted browser extensions. As you may begin to realize, the Internet world is a far more dangerous place to your computer. I recently read it takes an average of 15 seconds now for an unprotected machine to be compromised after connection to the Internet -- even via dial-up! Once you have all this in place, repost for advice about pruning your startup group (if you haven't already). You may wish to consider running the free tests at PCPitstop, for additional machine-specific advice. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "Sean" wrote in message ... Well Ive downloaded ad-aware due to the sluggish behaviour of the computer. Ive been through and have done alot of tweaking, oh and by the way there has been some much needed fantastic support! There are alot of programs that I do not use and have left trails. My drive is a mess. Is there a way to determine what the good, bad & the ugly is when viewing this? I know in the past I really wasnt too sure where files were going, however, when I go into the c drive I see the files and then a whole lot of junk afterwards. ms-dos application batch file recovered frag file system file security catalogue text document bmk file log file cfg file |
#4
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It is my currently preferred tool, too, Loon, but Toni Arts' Easy Cleaner
may be less formidable to the new user. The MS RegClean 4.1a is foolproof, but is less extensive. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "heirloom" wrote in message ... jv16 Power Tools gets my vote for clearing out the detritus in the Reg. Heirloom, old and like it "Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message ... The distinction is important between the "c--pware" that Ad-aware, or any anti-spyware tool finds, and any now-unwanted programs that you previously installed. If you need additional HD space, and do not wish to remove any previous programs, adding a second, or third HD, may be the best solution. 40-160 GB IDE drivers have become very inexpensive in this holiday season. I have seen Seagate and WD ATA100 HD's for as low as $29, after rebates, recently. If you really desire to remove the old programs, use the Add-Remove Program wizard to do so. It will be less likely to make a stupid mistake. If you are not knowledgeable enough to remove further items, find someone who is. An alternative is to use, with great discretion, a "cleaner", which will inventory the installed programs, and program remnants, and offer you the choice of which to remove. Be very conservative, at least at first. You can always remove more things later. Unfortunately, some program uninstallers are less than thorough. Undoubtedly, unnecessary remnants will remain in the registry, which can be removed with one of several registry cleaners. These must be used judiciously, also, since a serious mistake can render the machine broken or unbootable. Clean the Registry-- RegClean 4.1a from Microsoft Classes.dat only http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q147/7/69.asp EasyCleaner from ToniArts http://www.saunalahti.fi/tonihele/ecleane.htm RegCleaner from Jouni Vuorio http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/ Registry Pruner" http://www.Karenware.com/powertools/ Shared DLL's only After one, or more, of the above tools have been used (or even if you don't use any), run Scanreg /fix from a clean DOS boot. At a minimum, you will wish to run scanreg /opt /fix, after your program removals, to cleanup: See KB 273889, for details. As always, before undertaking such tasks, make file/drive backups, including "scanreg /backup" and System Restore checkpoints, permitting reversion, if desired. It is best first to temporarily move unwanted data files to special folders, or removable media, for recovery if needed. Such can be deleted or destroyed later when all is known to be well. I also recommend obtaining the free anti-spyware tool, SpyBot, to compliment Ad-aware. No single tool is adequate today. Other excellent similar tools include Spyware Blaster, Pest Patrol, and Spy Sweeper. And use a personal firewall -- the free Zone Alarm is quite good. Many others exist. And CWShredder 2.12, to kill the Cool Web pests. You may wish to consider BHODemon, also, to protect against unwanted browser extensions. As you may begin to realize, the Internet world is a far more dangerous place to your computer. I recently read it takes an average of 15 seconds now for an unprotected machine to be compromised after connection to the Internet -- even via dial-up! Once you have all this in place, repost for advice about pruning your startup group (if you haven't already). You may wish to consider running the free tests at PCPitstop, for additional machine-specific advice. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "Sean" wrote in message ... SNIP |
#5
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It is my currently preferred tool, too, Loon, but Toni Arts' Easy Cleaner
may be less formidable to the new user. The MS RegClean 4.1a is foolproof, but is less extensive. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "heirloom" wrote in message ... jv16 Power Tools gets my vote for clearing out the detritus in the Reg. Heirloom, old and like it "Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message ... The distinction is important between the "c--pware" that Ad-aware, or any anti-spyware tool finds, and any now-unwanted programs that you previously installed. If you need additional HD space, and do not wish to remove any previous programs, adding a second, or third HD, may be the best solution. 40-160 GB IDE drivers have become very inexpensive in this holiday season. I have seen Seagate and WD ATA100 HD's for as low as $29, after rebates, recently. If you really desire to remove the old programs, use the Add-Remove Program wizard to do so. It will be less likely to make a stupid mistake. If you are not knowledgeable enough to remove further items, find someone who is. An alternative is to use, with great discretion, a "cleaner", which will inventory the installed programs, and program remnants, and offer you the choice of which to remove. Be very conservative, at least at first. You can always remove more things later. Unfortunately, some program uninstallers are less than thorough. Undoubtedly, unnecessary remnants will remain in the registry, which can be removed with one of several registry cleaners. These must be used judiciously, also, since a serious mistake can render the machine broken or unbootable. Clean the Registry-- RegClean 4.1a from Microsoft Classes.dat only http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q147/7/69.asp EasyCleaner from ToniArts http://www.saunalahti.fi/tonihele/ecleane.htm RegCleaner from Jouni Vuorio http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/ Registry Pruner" http://www.Karenware.com/powertools/ Shared DLL's only After one, or more, of the above tools have been used (or even if you don't use any), run Scanreg /fix from a clean DOS boot. At a minimum, you will wish to run scanreg /opt /fix, after your program removals, to cleanup: See KB 273889, for details. As always, before undertaking such tasks, make file/drive backups, including "scanreg /backup" and System Restore checkpoints, permitting reversion, if desired. It is best first to temporarily move unwanted data files to special folders, or removable media, for recovery if needed. Such can be deleted or destroyed later when all is known to be well. I also recommend obtaining the free anti-spyware tool, SpyBot, to compliment Ad-aware. No single tool is adequate today. Other excellent similar tools include Spyware Blaster, Pest Patrol, and Spy Sweeper. And use a personal firewall -- the free Zone Alarm is quite good. Many others exist. And CWShredder 2.12, to kill the Cool Web pests. You may wish to consider BHODemon, also, to protect against unwanted browser extensions. As you may begin to realize, the Internet world is a far more dangerous place to your computer. I recently read it takes an average of 15 seconds now for an unprotected machine to be compromised after connection to the Internet -- even via dial-up! Once you have all this in place, repost for advice about pruning your startup group (if you haven't already). You may wish to consider running the free tests at PCPitstop, for additional machine-specific advice. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "Sean" wrote in message ... SNIP |
#6
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One thing for sure, none of them are perfect.......at least, none that I
have found. When I dumped Norton AV, I found about 200 reg entries directly related to Norton/Symantec/LiveUpdate, etc. that even jv16 did not remove. Realizing, of course, that the Norton/Symantec bloatware is very invasive. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mr. Martinelli, and thank you (and the rest of the gurus) for all the wonderful help over the past years. I have certainly learned a lot from all of you. Heirloom, old and thankful for gurus "Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message ... It is my currently preferred tool, too, Loon, but Toni Arts' Easy Cleaner may be less formidable to the new user. The MS RegClean 4.1a is foolproof, but is less extensive. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "heirloom" wrote in message ... jv16 Power Tools gets my vote for clearing out the detritus in the Reg. Heirloom, old and like it "Jack E Martinelli" wrote in message ... The distinction is important between the "c--pware" that Ad-aware, or any anti-spyware tool finds, and any now-unwanted programs that you previously installed. If you need additional HD space, and do not wish to remove any previous programs, adding a second, or third HD, may be the best solution. 40-160 GB IDE drivers have become very inexpensive in this holiday season. I have seen Seagate and WD ATA100 HD's for as low as $29, after rebates, recently. If you really desire to remove the old programs, use the Add-Remove Program wizard to do so. It will be less likely to make a stupid mistake. If you are not knowledgeable enough to remove further items, find someone who is. An alternative is to use, with great discretion, a "cleaner", which will inventory the installed programs, and program remnants, and offer you the choice of which to remove. Be very conservative, at least at first. You can always remove more things later. Unfortunately, some program uninstallers are less than thorough. Undoubtedly, unnecessary remnants will remain in the registry, which can be removed with one of several registry cleaners. These must be used judiciously, also, since a serious mistake can render the machine broken or unbootable. Clean the Registry-- RegClean 4.1a from Microsoft Classes.dat only http://support.microsoft.com/support.../Q147/7/69.asp EasyCleaner from ToniArts http://www.saunalahti.fi/tonihele/ecleane.htm RegCleaner from Jouni Vuorio http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/ Registry Pruner" http://www.Karenware.com/powertools/ Shared DLL's only After one, or more, of the above tools have been used (or even if you don't use any), run Scanreg /fix from a clean DOS boot. At a minimum, you will wish to run scanreg /opt /fix, after your program removals, to cleanup: See KB 273889, for details. As always, before undertaking such tasks, make file/drive backups, including "scanreg /backup" and System Restore checkpoints, permitting reversion, if desired. It is best first to temporarily move unwanted data files to special folders, or removable media, for recovery if needed. Such can be deleted or destroyed later when all is known to be well. I also recommend obtaining the free anti-spyware tool, SpyBot, to compliment Ad-aware. No single tool is adequate today. Other excellent similar tools include Spyware Blaster, Pest Patrol, and Spy Sweeper. And use a personal firewall -- the free Zone Alarm is quite good. Many others exist. And CWShredder 2.12, to kill the Cool Web pests. You may wish to consider BHODemon, also, to protect against unwanted browser extensions. As you may begin to realize, the Internet world is a far more dangerous place to your computer. I recently read it takes an average of 15 seconds now for an unprotected machine to be compromised after connection to the Internet -- even via dial-up! Once you have all this in place, repost for advice about pruning your startup group (if you haven't already). You may wish to consider running the free tests at PCPitstop, for additional machine-specific advice. -- Jack E. Martinelli 2002-05 MS MVP for Shell/User / DTS Help us help you: http://www.dts-L.org/goodpost.htm http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx Your cooperation is very appreciated. ------ "Sean" wrote in message ... SNIP |
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