A software question from one of the tech-challenged

[snowman]

I know computer issues have been discussed here regularly, but I've not seen anything about this one -pardon me if I've missed it.

My machine is not running well, and I have an acquaintance, a professional computer man, who has helped me with problems in the past. But I don't feel right asking him to do it again(he's very busy with family and work). Consequently I've been reading reviews about products called "Registry Cleaners" which a person like me(i.e. unskilled) can download, which are supposed to be able to correct the problems. I was looking at the Consumer Guide's site yesterday, and they said they tested a number of such products on machines which they deliberately messed up, to see which ones performed as advertised. They recommended one called "Speedy PC Pro". I've not been able to check on the price of it yet.

I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with such products, and if you have any advice. I'm guessing some would advise me to get a Mac, which I understand are far less susceptible to viruses and so on, but in my current financial situation that isn't going to happen.

Thank you for your time, friends.
Andy

 

[bullmack]

I'm a Mac user so I do not have any knowledge of this product. Generally CNET has good comprehensive reviews of just about anything in the electronics world regardless of platforms. I googled 'speedypc pro reviews' and the result yielded less than flattering opinions. BestBuy has good PC diagnostic services if you live anywhere close to one!

 

[raymo2u]

I would recomend Regcure and auslogic boostspeed and would also have to suggest a Malware agent if you do not have one which would be Malewarebyte.
We use all of these on our clients computers and They work well, they are great for people that need software that is ONE-CLICK and finish but also is dependable..

Tech Grad of 09' at Stafford Tech Center
Assistant Tech at VT Digital

 

[Kanewpadle]

I know computer issues have been discussed here regularly, but I've not seen anything about this one -pardon me if I've missed it.

My machine is not running well, and I have an acquaintance, a professional computer man, who has helped me with problems in the past. But I don't feel right asking him to do it again(he's very busy with family and work). Consequently I've been reading reviews about products called "Registry Cleaners" which a person like me(i.e. unskilled) can download, which are supposed to be able to correct the problems. I was looking at the Consumer Guide's site yesterday, and they said they tested a number of such products on machines which they deliberately messed up, to see which ones performed as advertised. They recommended one called "Speedy PC Pro". I've not been able to check on the price of it yet.

I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with such products, and if you have any advice. I'm guessing some would advise me to get a Mac, which I understand are far less susceptible to viruses and so on, but in my current financial situation that isn't going to happen.

Thank you for your time, friends.
Andy

I'm no tech expert but we need more info. How is your machine not running well? How do you know there is something wrong with the registry? Have you kept your computer updated? How's your antivirus software? Have you backed up your computer?

 

[GtownGeorge]

No need to spend any $, CC Cleaner works great. 13 Free Registry Cleaner Programs (Updated October 2013)

 

[16thVACav]

I agree with George; CC Cleaner is the only registry cleaner I trust.

 

[GtownGeorge]

also you need to clear your history, temp internet files and cookies every couple of weeks.

 

[wilkoi]

CC Cleaner, fast, free, excellent.

 

[venomballistics]

use google and find some reviews of ANYTHING that deals with your registry.
in hacker circles they have a saying "he who holds the registry, holds the computer"
weed out the dubious reg cleaners before you proceed.

 

[snowman]

Thanks, fellas. No time right now, but I'll certainly check out your suggestions.

Andy

 

[JayCeeNC]

I use CC Cleaner as well.

 

[rwsmith]

Glad you checked for the quality

Looking up the rating for an off-the-wall program is vital. Many of these cleaners either do a lousy job or make the problem worse.

BTW - Windows registry problems have been around for a long time and are common. Why hasn't Microsoft made a fix for it themselves?

 

[quneur]

The registry is the worst idea ever to come out of Redmond. It leaves a footprint of software after removal which can be exploited to reinstall itself at a later point. The Mac OS X is based on Unix; an inherently safer OS. That said, I primarily use Linux on my main computer. It has less chance of attack.

Just as a side note, hackers are going after browsers also. Firefox and Explorer saves user information and passwords so you should flush that information every so often.

CCleaner is a good program. It also has a malware scanner. Another program you may want to get is Hijackthis. I prints out a detailed registry report so you can post it to various PC forums which other experts can help you with. Malwarebytes is now a pay program unless you installed a previous version. I like SuperAntimalware and Threatfire and sometimes use Spybot on my PC.

 

[BaaBaa]

I know you said you can't get a Mac but I looked at it a different way. How much is my time worth and how critical is my data? I've gone over 20 years without needing any of those things through a plethora of Mac models from the very first one to the one I'll be ordering next month. In all that time the only time I've had viruses or issues on my Mac is from Microsoft products, usually Office, so I no longer use any MS products on my machines. LibreOffice as an MS Office replacement, Safari or Firefox as browsers.

So my suggestion is get one of the free cleaner systems now, and start saving for either a Linux or Mac system to replace it as soon as you can.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Squirt some WD40 into the Serial port-that ought to unstick whatever is sticking.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

Squirt some WD40 into the Serial port-that ought to unstick whatever is sticking.

You never cease to amaze me with your one liners..........glad i had no liquids in my mouth at the time!!!!!!!!!

 

[snowman]

Squirt some WD40 into the Serial port-that ought to unstick whatever is sticking.

Tried that awhile back; it dried out and congealed, now I can't push any of the keys or move the mouse.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

also you need to clear your history, temp internet files and cookies every couple of weeks.

Yes! Do the easy regular stuff first. The registry is probably not your problem. Win computers need a regular tune up clean out.
And - firewall up, virus software running and updated.

 

[rog8732]

Tried that awhile back; it dried out and congealed, now I can't push any of the keys or move the mouse.

You may have to remove the side plate ! Make sure you do not pry, but tap with a hammer handle and control the hammer block when it falls out. If you can not reassemble correctly move to the Gunsmifffing section.