[Body&Spirit]

I have Norton's SystemWorks Premier and run DiskDoctor and WinDoctor regularly. I know WindDoctor performs some (and possibly most) of the functions of a Registry Cleaner and has kept my computer running well.

On impulse, I downloaded Registry Mechanic 5.0 from the header on this site. It found 180 errors. It fixed about 80 of them with the trial program.

I then downloaded PConPoint and Windows Registry Repair Pro and they came up with about 200 errors and 280 errors respectively...and this was after Registry Mechanic repaired 80 leaving about 100 errors. Arrrgggg!!!!!

What the h... is going on?

[simplejohn]

You don't need to get to excited about the errors this programs found.
Each program has it's definition to a "registry error". some include missing
links for example, which not effect you computer performance but still, you
could have hundreds of them.
I would recommend to use one of the program you've mentioned along with a
good anti virus...
__________________
There is far more opportunity than there is ability.
Don't miss your opportunity in the best casino online...

[Body&Spirit]

Thanks SimpleJohn

From the wide range of errors found by each program, I suspected that each program had different parameters as to what constituted an error.

With your having confirmed my suspicion that each program used different parameters, I now suspect that these independent registry cleaner programs find errors which do not significantly affect the performance of the computer, but may be designed to find them to "scare" people in buying their product.

I mean, it is kinda scary to suddenly find that your computer has some 300 errors!

As my computer operates well with Nortons Systemworks WinDoctor and DiskDoctor and in the absence of any information as to what these products may do to enhance the performance of my computer, I am inclined to just stay with NU SystemWorks.

[blues_harp28]

Hi..http://forums.techguy.org/t354605.html
Thoughts on Registry programs..

[hewee]

Look at the reviews here.

http://registry-repair-software-revi...enreviews.com/

[blues_harp28]

Good link hewee..

[flavallee]

I personally wouldn't use ANYTHING from Symantec Norton.

Using too many registry cleaners and using them too often can get you into trouble because they will "break" certain programs and require them to be reinstalled.

[hewee]

Originally Posted by blues_harp28

Good link hewee..

It is and it as lots of ratings on each program and also on the Safety of using them.

Overall Rating
Feature Set
Ease of Use
Ease of Installation
Help/Documentation
Safety

[blues_harp28]

Originally Posted by flavallee

I personally wouldn't use ANYTHING from Symantec Norton.

Using too many registry cleaners and using them too often can get you into trouble because they will "break" certain programs and require them to be reinstalled.

Not a fan of Norton Symantec..
Used Win Doctor on a friends system.(well her cd was lying there).and it restored some Active X entries..
But then removed all referencies to norton from her system...(paranoid eh)
But as Flavallee rightly says..overcleaning the Registry causes many problems..and should be used with caution..having some idea as to what we are saying goodbye too would be a good start...

[brindle]

Symantec didn't even make the top twenty, hmmm

[stantley]

Thanks for that link hewee, not only for registry cleaners, but they have the top ten anti-virus, firewalls, anti-spyware, pc-utilities, cd-burners, etc.

All sorts of interesting info. I like how they compare the features of the software and have checkmarks for which software has what. Very useful when you're looking for certain features.

[Body&Spirit]

Thanks Hewee. Top Ten Comparisons does look like a good site on product comparisons.

Does anyone know anything about this site. Is it truly independent in its examination of products.

Like, for example, Consumer Reports does not accept products from whatever source but prefers to buy the product from the shelf. It also declares that it will not accept donations from companies etc. in an attempt to show it is truly independent in their testing of products and have no relation with the companies or the products they are testing.

So just how independent is this site?

[TOGG]

I am always suspicious about trial versions of software that find problems but will only 'fix' a limited number of them until you actually buy the software.

There doesn't seem to be any conclusive evidence that registry cleaning actually improves anything, or if there is, I have never seen it.

However, I do know that if you have problems installing a program, cleaning the registry can sometimes solve the problem. In my case this applied to a program that had been installed and uninstalled but which wouldn't reinstall until I ran a registry cleaner.

I use RegSupreme, (the Pro version of which did not do very well on the site that hewee posted the link to). At least its trial version is fully functional (I think).

[Body&Spirit]

Togg, you may have a point.

Well, here's an update on the trial registry cleaners I had installed.

Went into Outlook Express and it crashes!!! Open it again and it crashes.

Did a GoBack.

Then Windows tells me that my registry is corrupted...something that has never happened before.

It says I should run CHKDSK...which I do. And for good measure I run WinDoctor.

Rebooted and everything runs OK.

Addendum:
Like you, I am wondering if Registry Cleaners actually improves anything.

[blues_harp28]

Hi..Any cleaning system isn't perfect as you have just proved..
I always check what Im allowing to be deleted..
Overcleaned the Registry just once..that was enough..