? about registry cleanup

I am setting up a new system. had some problems with some dvd programs so i uninstalled and it was suggested i run a registry clean up(?) and defrag before reinstalling. i am unfamiliar with this registry cleanup. i am planning on running a defrag and saw several recommended by major geek. i do not want to mess anything up and i should say i am no techno genius! i do not want to junk up the h.d. on this machine so i am trying to stay on top of it from the beginning.
thanks
gizmo

 

CCleaner probably has the safest registry cleaning utility that I know of. To use it, please do the following:

1. Launch CCleaner
2. Hit ALT+I (or click the 'Issues' button)
3. Under 'Progess', press the 'Scan For Issues' button
4. When scanning is complete, press the 'Fix Selected Issues' button (if you do not wish to edit the selection)
5. By default, it will prompt to to backup changes, and you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD. This will create a file that you can use to restore the changes with a double-click should something go wrong.
6. You can then either use the 'Fix All Issues' button to automatically correct each error, or you can review each by pressing the 'Fix Issue' button once for each problem.

 

Here's some good defrag programs: IO Bit Smart Defrag: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5318
Disk Keeper Lite: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Diskeeper_Lite_d1207.html
AusLogics Defrag: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Auslogics_Disk_Defrag_d5266.html
O&O Defrag 2000: http://www.majorgeeks.com/O&O_Defrag_2000_Freeware_Edition_d4545.html
Personally, I use Disk Keeper once a week. Many friends use it also, or they use IOBit Smart Defrag. I haven't personally used the others, but they're popular and I've heard good things. So check 'em out, and stick with what works best for your situation

hopperdave2000

 

Do any of those work with Vista? I used to use Perfect Disk on my old XP machine and don't want to have to buy a new program for Vista (looking for good freeware).