Beware!!!

Hello- I took the advice of MajorGeeks.com and tried that Tweaking.com program, and it has my XP Pro SP3 ALL messed up.
I can not install the Security Updates, as they fail at installation, and the little yellow update shield will not go away, even with turning off update service.
I even restored the registry backup snapshot Tweaking.com took prior to changes.
Moral of story?... Leave that BS alone that messes with the registry. I don't have a clue what has happened and have yet to attempt System Restore.
Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions regarding this update matter?
Thanks!

 

What are the KB numbers of the updates that fail? Most likely .NET Framework updates so please go into add or remove programs and tell me what version of .NET Framework you have installed.

 

Normally stuff like that is completely out of date.

If you do not have any kinda experience in the registry system then you should leave it alone.

If you are talking about boosting your system i would use some thing like Advance system care more up to date then them.Iobit is coming out with ASC 7 soon.

And i would go to microsoft site to get the Net framework.

 

Backing up the registry in isolation is a complete nono for me. I backup the entire OS partition with Acronis and I separately backup my personal stuff, which I keep on a separate partition/drive, with a file sync program, but backing up the registry only is asking for it imo.

 

timw128 was simply using the resources provided by that software and it seemed a reasonable course to take.
I think one can only assume that the backup (option?) is there specifically to be used if an Undo operation is needed.
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For the sake of clarity, which Tweaking.com program did you use?
I have never used any of that software, so I can't give you any specific info.

I think you will get a better result if you use a System Restore point that was created before those changes were made.

If the software does not show you the date and time of the registry backup, see if you can find that backup.
It would probably be in one of these locations.


C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data\{Tweaking}
C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Application Data\{Tweaking}


The {Tweaking} part will be whatever they use for their software.

System Restore will do more than just restore the registry.
You should do that before the creation of new restore points causes the deletion of the older one that you need, depending on
how much disk space is allocated for restore points.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks everybody!... System Restore appears to have worked, as after doing so the KB's installed.

Tweaking.com version?... Whatever downloaded from Major Geeks on Thurs. night. I have Revo'd it since and couldn't tell you which version it was. With that said, I did restore Reg to back up prior to System Restore, which really is a moot point.

Advanced System Care?... Nope!... tried the Pro version and it did nothing for me- in fact caused some issues on its own, as did TuneUp Utilities a couple of years back. I'll listen to the real experts and stay away from those progs. I have my System rather streamlined through manual settings tweaks.

There SHOULD not be an issue with an isolated Reg back up, IF it is a reputable prog involved.

I am going to attach a shot of what I have showing in 'Add/Remove' as far as M$ installations go. Please feel free to advise, as I think there is some stuff there that I don't need and is just loading the System and HDD.

'captcha', please note attachment of .NET installations. The KB that was giving issues is KB2833941.

Thanks for all the input!

tim

 

The key to minimising problems is keeping the system in a consistent state. Restoring a registry backup in isolation, and depending how old it is, can orphan existing files and/or remove registry entries needed by new files. In the hands of experienced users it would be ok, but it's the last thing I would recommend to the less experienced.

And don't even get me started on Advanced System Care! The basic functions seem ok but aren't really needed but the advanced options can be system cripplers.

 

I couldn't agree more. In my instance regarding Tweaking.com, the time passage from the changes to restoring the Reg Back Up was insignificant. No other events changed within the System state. Personally, I am rather familiar with the Windows Registry and have devised several hacks on my own to 'streamline' certain elements within to enhance the performance for my needs. Without going into too many details here, my System appears very stable with the exception of some elements within the 'CHKDSK' feature. I am working on that, though.

Ah, Advanced System Care!... As mentioned earlier, I have tried all of the 'Pro', paid for editions of the three, top rated system utilities progs. Within my experience I feel safe in calling them troublesome scams for the most part. Those companies that offer those products are getting rich, and it appears they have a tiered scheme to gain further wealth from their victims- offering a remote service for a given fee to link to your pc and 'repair' the issues for you. What an ingenious scam!... Again, I mean to offend no one, but merely express my validated opinion regarding the matter.

 

Tim, you now have chkdsk problems? Could these have been part of the cause and not the effect?

 

Have had them for a while... My HDD is due to be replaced- access times are slow.

Can run 'CHKDSK' in 'cmd'-read only, and it shows no errors. But, if you run 'f' and 'r' switches it'll lock up to black screen with hour glass. Have to run 'Last known...' at boot to get back to square one. 'SFC /SCANNOW' requires installation disk. I am rather certain there are some sector issues within HDD.
Seagate Barracuda 160GB 7200 with only 23GB used.

 

Faulting hardware will trump anything you try to do with software.

I suggest you backup all vital data away from that suspect drive in preparation for a fresh Windows install on the new drive.

 

Yeah, I am done with this Windows XP Pro. It's a dinosaur. I am just going to throw a new mobo/cpu/hdd combo in this machine and install my Windows 7 Ultimate- eventually!
:wave