I have a lot of registry problems, missing dll's

[PassNthru]

i am missing PCtree dll and learn32 dll and have about 240 registry problems, one scan says 180, another says 240...

can anyone recomend a utility program to maintain XP.

I have a Compaq Preserio, 2.6 GHz..

I also cant get a lot of pictures, just an empty box with a small box in the upper left with a red X in it..

i have trouble clicking on some links.. but can go to Google/Yahoo and type it in and connect that way.

i lost my Printer and it wont load the CD..

I figure it is due to all the Registry problems..

i have run antivirus and spysweeper

thanks for any suggestions..

[Panama Red]

Sounds like you're running a Registry Cleaner/Healer of some kind and it's removing or corrupting required items. Probably best at this point to do a repair install with your XP CD. If one didn't come with Compaq, your only option is to use your Restore CD's or restore program that is built in. Problem with that method is it will reformat your hard drive and return everything to the way it was when you first got the PC. You would lose all personal files ( unless you save them to disk or another storage medium first)and you would need to reinstall all programs and Windows Updates.
You can get restore disk(s) from Compaq/HP for about $10. If it was me, I'd spend the money to buy my own XP SP2 cd (~$85-$100) and do a repair install.

Just my opinion. You may want to see what others suggest.

[tfirstclass]

Panama...ya might a lost some registry entrys that you need. I have done this. The best 1st step is to undo what your registry fixer...whatever it is.....did to your registry. Usually there is a restore option....they backup your registry b4 they make any fixes so you can go back and undo what you did. You'll get back what it took away, hopefully. If that is what caused your problem.

I've tried quite a few registry utilities. I've had xp home and now have xp pro. For home edition...registry mechanic worked fine. But not for xp pro. I use registry first aid...and it works good for xp pro.

Beware of free registry utilities...Ive tried a few and haven't run across a good 1 yet. Both registry mechanic and registry first aid cost..but they work.

[PassNthru]

apparently what happened is Norton really messed up things.. i have had to reformat this thing about 5 times..

isnt there a utilities program that can fix problems..??

i have just run the free scans off some, PC Rescue was pretty fast, registry Mechanic, Registry Cleaner,.. i am just tired of not getting the right program, i am looking for some feed back from people with success in fixing things.

i can take it to the shop and they can fix the dll's, but i will still need a utilities program to clean up the messes XP leaves every time yu turn it on.

i even have SP2 download errors.. downloading the patches for the holes in it.

[Panama Red]

When problems become severe enough, no 3rd party utility can repair all the problems. A repair-install of XP sometimes corrects the ills but on occasion a full reformat is required. Sometimes we cause ourselves more grief than gusto trying multiple registry/spyware/virus scanners. I've settled on a combination that works well on all my machines and I install all the same programs and instructions on my customer repairs. I've used Norton and McAfee in years gone by but I don't like them anymore. My recommeded weekly maintenance consists of the following - in this order.

1 - Run Disk Cleanup - remove unnecessary files, delete old Restore Points (all but the last one) and DON'T Compress any files.

2 - Open IE>tools> Remove all Temp Files (check offline content too)

3 - Run Adaware and Spybot - Search and Destroy. Be sure to update both before scanning and only scan for Critical problems.

4 - Run Disk Defragmenter.

5 - Use AVG Free antivirus. Make sure it updates itself.

6 - Set Windows Updates to download automatically and notify when updates are ready to install. Check WU periodically for optional downloads that are missing.

7 - If your internet connection is a DSL or Cable, use a router as a firewall, even if you only have one computer. If you're on Dial-up, use a software firewall like Zone Alarm's free one.

8 - Install MS AntiSpyware and let it run at start up. Configure it to update automatically and turn off the Allowed Alerts. (I haven't tried MS AS with ZA so I don't know if conflicts exist)

9- MOST IMPORTANT! Think before you click! Don't open questionable mail from unknown sources. If something looks like a scam, it probably is. Never download a spyware remover offered from a popup.

I've used one Registry repair program for 3 years now and never have had a burp with it. It's not free but it was the best I tried when I was evaluating different ones. I use Registry Healer.

[glc]

The only registry cleaner I use is Crap Cleaner. That said, oftentimes you are better off just leaving the registry alone, Windows is a lot more tolerant of excess entries than a lot of people think. With XP, I would certainly make a system restore point prior to running a registry cleaner.

[GaryRouth]

[. . . a little legal P.S. here: if your Compaq did not come with an Operating System CD (a separate CD with just Windows XP on it), you still have the option of borrowing any Windows XP CD that matches your version --Home Edition, most likely-- and using that disk to perform the repair install that Panama mentions. Just make sure you have your original product key handy before trying this (although with a repair install, it's not usually necessary). You should have your product key handy anyway = if you happen to have lost it, there is a tiny little freeware program whimsically titled "the Magic Jellybean keyfinder" that can find your original key. It's available at many download sites, such as download.com . . . If you can find an XP Home CD that already has Service Pack 2 on it, all the better: every Security patch is really critical nowadays = with broadband you are vulnerable no matter what antivirus/antispyware you run if you don't close the vulnerabilities. A good firewall configured effectively is just as essential. ]

Best of luck
. . . Gary

P.S.#2 --- just to be extra clear: when I mention "any Windows XP CD that matches your version", I am referring to Windows XP installation CDs - NOT recovery disks of any kind.