Question for Bruce Chambers.

G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or so and
frequently write in for guidance and advice.
I have been following the recent discussions about registry cleaners and
your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to edit the registry for no
other reason than to acquaint my self with it. I have been scared off by the
constant warnings about editing the registry with out knowing what you are
doing.
In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now I would
like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as your answer
suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the moment, I just want
to learn and gain experience).
What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and safely
editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp but I
really respect the answers and opinions given by those such as you on these
groups.
One other question.
I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
Can you point me in the right direction ? Thanks to you and all other
responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought this, my
first computer, 5 years ago.
--
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
D.B.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

D.B. wrote:
> I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or so and
> frequently write in for guidance and advice.
> I have been following the recent discussions about registry cleaners and
> your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to edit the registry for no
> other reason than to acquaint my self with it. I have been scared off by the
> constant warnings about editing the registry with out knowing what you are
> doing.


Caution is necessary, but sometimes the only way to learn is to royally
screw something up, and then have to dig one's self out. ;-} Start
with small, simple changes, making backups as you go. Build your skills
and confidence gradually, and never, ever let yourself get too cocky,
and you'll be alright.


> In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
> cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now I would
> like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as your answer
> suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the moment, I just want
> to learn and gain experience).
> What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and safely
> editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
> I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp but I
> really respect the answers and opinions given by those such as you on these
> groups.


The books (they were about the Win95 and WinNT registries) that I
started with don't seem to be in print any longer, but some
(particularly those concerning Win2K and WinXP) of these should be very
helpful:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~laar2002/windows_registry_books.html

As for web sites, there are two upon which I rely most heavily are:

JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm

Microsoft Support Knowledge Base
http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?FR=0&SD=tech&LN=EN-US

There are even useful tips and tricks here, provided you ignore the
advertising for their own registry cleaner:

Windows Registry Guide (formerly RegEdit.com)
http://www.winguides.com/registry/


> One other question.
> I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
> Can you point me in the right direction ?


Scripting is not my strong suit, but when I need something relatively
simple I first look at:

JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm

.... or for more in depth chores:

Welcome to Script Center
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx


> Thanks to you and all other
> responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought this, my
> first computer, 5 years ago.


You're very welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Thank you so much Bruce.
I agree,sometimes the only way to learn is to royally screw things up and
dig your way back out. My feeling is the best way to learn is through
experience and that includes mistakes and all.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.
--
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
D.B.


"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

> D.B. wrote:
> > I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or so and
> > frequently write in for guidance and advice.
> > I have been following the recent discussions about registry cleaners and
> > your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to edit the registry for no
> > other reason than to acquaint my self with it. I have been scared off by the
> > constant warnings about editing the registry with out knowing what you are
> > doing.
>
>
> Caution is necessary, but sometimes the only way to learn is to royally
> screw something up, and then have to dig one's self out. ;-} Start
> with small, simple changes, making backups as you go. Build your skills
> and confidence gradually, and never, ever let yourself get too cocky,
> and you'll be alright.
>
>
> > In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
> > cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now I would
> > like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as your answer
> > suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the moment, I just want
> > to learn and gain experience).
> > What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and safely
> > editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
> > I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp but I
> > really respect the answers and opinions given by those such as you on these
> > groups.
>
>
> The books (they were about the Win95 and WinNT registries) that I
> started with don't seem to be in print any longer, but some
> (particularly those concerning Win2K and WinXP) of these should be very
> helpful:
>
> http://www.xs4all.nl/~laar2002/windows_registry_books.html
>
> As for web sites, there are two upon which I rely most heavily are:
>
> JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
>
> Microsoft Support Knowledge Base
> http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?FR=0&SD=tech&LN=EN-US
>
> There are even useful tips and tricks here, provided you ignore the
> advertising for their own registry cleaner:
>
> Windows Registry Guide (formerly RegEdit.com)
> http://www.winguides.com/registry/
>
>
> > One other question.
> > I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
> > Can you point me in the right direction ?
>
>
> Scripting is not my strong suit, but when I need something relatively
> simple I first look at:
>
> JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
>
> .... or for more in depth chores:
>
> Welcome to Script Center
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx
>
>
> > Thanks to you and all other
> > responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought this, my
> > first computer, 5 years ago.
>
>
> You're very welcome.
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
> both at once. - RAH
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

DB

Just in case Bruce is on vacation...........

The first link is an online guide, and the second is good bedtime reading..

http://www.winguides.com/registry/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/honeycutt_03march17.mspx

Re. writing scripts.. I did a search on this in Google.. the link below is
one of many.. good luck..

http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/linuxcommand.org/writing_shell_scripts.html


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"D.B." <DB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C23805F3-827D-4881-9D95-ABAC85789A07@microsoft.com...
>I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or so and
> frequently write in for guidance and advice.
> I have been following the recent discussions about registry cleaners and
> your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to edit the registry for
> no
> other reason than to acquaint my self with it. I have been scared off by
> the
> constant warnings about editing the registry with out knowing what you are
> doing.
> In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
> cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now I
> would
> like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as your answer
> suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the moment, I just
> want
> to learn and gain experience).
> What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and safely
> editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
> I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp but I
> really respect the answers and opinions given by those such as you on
> these
> groups.
> One other question.
> I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
> Can you point me in the right direction ? Thanks to you and all other
> responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought this, my
> first computer, 5 years ago.
> --
> Thanks for any and all suggestions.
> D.B.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Thank you very much Mike.
I'm glad I didn't alienate other responders by addressing only to Bruce. I
thought about that after my original post. Clearly that was not my intention.
--
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
D.B.


"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote:

> DB
>
> Just in case Bruce is on vacation...........
>
> The first link is an online guide, and the second is good bedtime reading..
>
> http://www.winguides.com/registry/
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/honeycutt_03march17.mspx
>
> Re. writing scripts.. I did a search on this in Google.. the link below is
> one of many.. good luck..
>
> http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/linuxcommand.org/writing_shell_scripts.html
>
>
> --
> Mike Hall
> MVP - Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "D.B." <DB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C23805F3-827D-4881-9D95-ABAC85789A07@microsoft.com...
> >I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or so and
> > frequently write in for guidance and advice.
> > I have been following the recent discussions about registry cleaners and
> > your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to edit the registry for
> > no
> > other reason than to acquaint my self with it. I have been scared off by
> > the
> > constant warnings about editing the registry with out knowing what you are
> > doing.
> > In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
> > cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now I
> > would
> > like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as your answer
> > suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the moment, I just
> > want
> > to learn and gain experience).
> > What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and safely
> > editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
> > I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp but I
> > really respect the answers and opinions given by those such as you on
> > these
> > groups.
> > One other question.
> > I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
> > Can you point me in the right direction ? Thanks to you and all other
> > responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought this, my
> > first computer, 5 years ago.
> > --
> > Thanks for any and all suggestions.
> > D.B.
>
>
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Hi D. B. - Well, if you're really planning to "royally screw things up" :)
you might want to consider the following:


There are some third party Registry Editors which can be of great help with
both incorrect uninstall issues and with certain malware problems,
especially some of theCoolWebSearch types such as the AppInit_DLLs variant
of the about:blank version of CWS, for example. I can highly recommend
Registrar Lite, here: http://www.resplendence.com/reglite

If you must screw around with your Registry, then at least get Erunt/Erdnt,
and run it before you do a Reg clean or otherwise "mess around" with it.
You'll then have a true restore available to you. Read below to see why you
might not just using a Reg cleaner's restore or Regedit's Export function:

Get Erunt here for all NT-based computers including XP:
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/index.htm I've set it up to
take a scheduled backup each night at 12:01AM on a weekly round-robin basis,
and a Monthly on the 1st of each month. See here for how to set that up:
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/erunt.txt, and for some
useful information about this subject.

This program is one of the best things around - saved my butt on many
occasions, and will also run very nicely from a DOS prompt (in case you've
done something that won't let you boot any more and need to revert to a
previous Registry) IF you're FAT32 OR have a DOS startup disk with NTFS
write drivers in an NTFS system. (There is also a way using the Recovery
Console to get back to being "bootable" even without separate DOS write NTFS
drivers, after which you can do a "normal" Erdnt restore.) (BTW, it also
includes a Registry defragger program). Free, and very, very highly
recommended.

FYI, quoting from the above document:

"Note: The "Export registry" function in Regedit is USELESS (!) to make a
complete backup of the registry. Neither does it export the whole registry
(for example, no information from the "SECURITY" hive is saved), nor can the
exported file be used later to replace the current registry with the old
one. Instead, if you re-import the file, it is merged with the current
registry, leaving you with an absolute mess of old and new registry keys.

--
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
My Blog, Defending Your Machine, here:
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

"D.B." <DB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:321ADD9C-4E97-45F2-883E-81A405E66048@microsoft.com
> Thank you so much Bruce.
> I agree,sometimes the only way to learn is to royally screw things up
> and dig your way back out. My feeling is the best way to learn is
> through experience and that includes mistakes and all.
> Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.
>
>> D.B. wrote:
>>> I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or
>>> so and frequently write in for guidance and advice.
>>> I have been following the recent discussions about registry
>>> cleaners and your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to
>>> edit the registry for no other reason than to acquaint my self with
>>> it. I have been scared off by the constant warnings about editing
>>> the registry with out knowing what you are doing.
>>
>>
>> Caution is necessary, but sometimes the only way to learn is to
>> royally screw something up, and then have to dig one's self out.
>> ;-} Start with small, simple changes, making backups as you go.
>> Build your skills and confidence gradually, and never, ever let
>> yourself get too cocky, and you'll be alright.
>>
>>
>>> In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
>>> cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now
>>> I would like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as
>>> your answer suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the
>>> moment, I just want to learn and gain experience).
>>> What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and
>>> safely editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
>>> I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp
>>> but I really respect the answers and opinions given by those such
>>> as you on these groups.
>>
>>
>> The books (they were about the Win95 and WinNT registries) that I
>> started with don't seem to be in print any longer, but some
>> (particularly those concerning Win2K and WinXP) of these should be
>> very helpful:
>>
>> http://www.xs4all.nl/~laar2002/windows_registry_books.html
>>
>> As for web sites, there are two upon which I rely most heavily are:
>>
>> JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
>> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
>>
>> Microsoft Support Knowledge Base
>> http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?FR=0&SD=tech&LN=EN-US
>>
>> There are even useful tips and tricks here, provided you ignore the
>> advertising for their own registry cleaner:
>>
>> Windows Registry Guide (formerly RegEdit.com)
>> http://www.winguides.com/registry/
>>
>>
>>> One other question.
>>> I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
>>> Can you point me in the right direction ?
>>
>>
>> Scripting is not my strong suit, but when I need something relatively
>> simple I first look at:
>>
>> JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
>> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
>>
>> .... or for more in depth chores:
>>
>> Welcome to Script Center
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx
>>
>>
>>> Thanks to you and all other
>>> responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought
>>> this, my first computer, 5 years ago.
>>
>>
>> You're very welcome.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Bruce Chambers
>>
>> Help us help you:
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>
>> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
>> having both at once. - RAH
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

D.B. wrote:
> Thank you so much Bruce.
> I agree,sometimes the only way to learn is to royally screw things up and
> dig your way back out. My feeling is the best way to learn is through
> experience and that includes mistakes and all.
> Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.


You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Hi Jim and thanks for your response.
Oddly enough,one of the first programs I saw recommended in these posts was
ERUNT. So I have had it on my machine,(and use it),almost since day one.
I also check Jim Eshelmans site,aumha.org ,every day for updates to it and
other programs that I have so I always have the latest versions.
--
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
D.B.


"Jim Byrd" wrote:

> Hi D. B. - Well, if you're really planning to "royally screw things up" :)
> you might want to consider the following:
>
>
> There are some third party Registry Editors which can be of great help with
> both incorrect uninstall issues and with certain malware problems,
> especially some of theCoolWebSearch types such as the AppInit_DLLs variant
> of the about:blank version of CWS, for example. I can highly recommend
> Registrar Lite, here: http://www.resplendence.com/reglite
>
> If you must screw around with your Registry, then at least get Erunt/Erdnt,
> and run it before you do a Reg clean or otherwise "mess around" with it.
> You'll then have a true restore available to you. Read below to see why you
> might not just using a Reg cleaner's restore or Regedit's Export function:
>
> Get Erunt here for all NT-based computers including XP:
> http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/index.htm I've set it up to
> take a scheduled backup each night at 12:01AM on a weekly round-robin basis,
> and a Monthly on the 1st of each month. See here for how to set that up:
> http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/erunt.txt, and for some
> useful information about this subject.
>
> This program is one of the best things around - saved my butt on many
> occasions, and will also run very nicely from a DOS prompt (in case you've
> done something that won't let you boot any more and need to revert to a
> previous Registry) IF you're FAT32 OR have a DOS startup disk with NTFS
> write drivers in an NTFS system. (There is also a way using the Recovery
> Console to get back to being "bootable" even without separate DOS write NTFS
> drivers, after which you can do a "normal" Erdnt restore.) (BTW, it also
> includes a Registry defragger program). Free, and very, very highly
> recommended.
>
> FYI, quoting from the above document:
>
> "Note: The "Export registry" function in Regedit is USELESS (!) to make a
> complete backup of the registry. Neither does it export the whole registry
> (for example, no information from the "SECURITY" hive is saved), nor can the
> exported file be used later to replace the current registry with the old
> one. Instead, if you re-import the file, it is merged with the current
> registry, leaving you with an absolute mess of old and new registry keys.
>
> --
> Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
> My Blog, Defending Your Machine, here:
> http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
>
> "D.B." <DB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:321ADD9C-4E97-45F2-883E-81A405E66048@microsoft.com
> > Thank you so much Bruce.
> > I agree,sometimes the only way to learn is to royally screw things up
> > and dig your way back out. My feeling is the best way to learn is
> > through experience and that includes mistakes and all.
> > Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.
> >
> >> D.B. wrote:
> >>> I have been reading the newsgroups everyday for the last 5 years or
> >>> so and frequently write in for guidance and advice.
> >>> I have been following the recent discussions about registry
> >>> cleaners and your answer intrigues me. I would love to be able to
> >>> edit the registry for no other reason than to acquaint my self with
> >>> it. I have been scared off by the constant warnings about editing
> >>> the registry with out knowing what you are doing.
> >>
> >>
> >> Caution is necessary, but sometimes the only way to learn is to
> >> royally screw something up, and then have to dig one's self out.
> >> ;-} Start with small, simple changes, making backups as you go.
> >> Build your skills and confidence gradually, and never, ever let
> >> yourself get too cocky, and you'll be alright.
> >>
> >>
> >>> In the past, I have used just about every freeware registry
> >>> cleaner/optimizer etc. available and have been lucky so far but now
> >>> I would like to gain the knowledge to be able to do it my self as
> >>> your answer suggests.(I am not having any particular problem at the
> >>> moment, I just want to learn and gain experience).
> >>> What resources do you recommend for learning about the registry and
> >>> safely editing it ? Books,programs,apps.,web sites etc.
> >>> I have read just about every book at my local library on windows xp
> >>> but I really respect the answers and opinions given by those such
> >>> as you on these groups.
> >>
> >>
> >> The books (they were about the Win95 and WinNT registries) that I
> >> started with don't seem to be in print any longer, but some
> >> (particularly those concerning Win2K and WinXP) of these should be
> >> very helpful:
> >>
> >> http://www.xs4all.nl/~laar2002/windows_registry_books.html
> >>
> >> As for web sites, there are two upon which I rely most heavily are:
> >>
> >> JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
> >> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
> >>
> >> Microsoft Support Knowledge Base
> >> http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?FR=0&SD=tech&LN=EN-US
> >>
> >> There are even useful tips and tricks here, provided you ignore the
> >> advertising for their own registry cleaner:
> >>
> >> Windows Registry Guide (formerly RegEdit.com)
> >> http://www.winguides.com/registry/
> >>
> >>
> >>> One other question.
> >>> I would like to get into scripting but don't know where to start.
> >>> Can you point me in the right direction ?
> >>
> >>
> >> Scripting is not my strong suit, but when I need something relatively
> >> simple I first look at:
> >>
> >> JSI, Inc's Reghacks - WinNT - Win2K - WinXP
> >> http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm
> >>
> >> .... or for more in depth chores:
> >>
> >> Welcome to Script Center
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/default.mspx
> >>
> >>
> >>> Thanks to you and all other
> >>> responders on these groups I have learned so much since I bought
> >>> this, my first computer, 5 years ago.
> >>
> >>
> >> You're very welcome.
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >> Bruce Chambers
> >>
> >> Help us help you:
> >> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> >>
> >> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> >> having both at once. - RAH
>
>
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

YW, D.B.

--
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP
My Blog, Defending Your Machine, here:
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

"D.B." <DB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:43490DB4-D4C9-4450-896E-F256143BC95B@microsoft.com
> Hi Jim and thanks for your response.
> Oddly enough,one of the first programs I saw recommended in these
> posts was ERUNT. So I have had it on my machine,(and use it),almost
> since day one.
> I also check Jim Eshelmans site,aumha.org ,every day for updates to
> it and other programs that I have so I always have the latest
> versions.
>