Simple ?'s w/XP clean procedure setup

Hi all,

Been visiting this forum for many years (5+) ... bout time I register and get caught up. Reason prompting me being I'm getting a 0x2... error(s) when trying to use "Add/Remove Windows Components" and can't find a solution? .......

BUT I'm going to start at the beginning as recommended with "Read/Run me 1st - Windows XP Cleaning Procedure" page .... there are several new tools, for me anyway, and I have a few questions as to the procedures for downloading and updating. My partitioned C:\ drive is a bit small 8gb ... I know!!! but I'm on dial-up and surely want to avoid reformatting.

?1) Unless the program specifically says to load to C: or the desktop, can I load and .exe to/from another drive (such as E: ) and not run into problems?

?2) After reading some of the "stickies" I'm paranoid of using other sites for downloads such as softpedia etc., and am quite glad I've done almost all my DL's from here over the years. BUT Does this also go for updating for programs I've had for years .... like CCleaner, can I update directly from their site or should I be dl'nig an entire updated program from here? My current version is 1.34.407 ... ooops rolleyes

Thanks for your guidance ... I'm going by the "MajorGeek" book from now on.

 

Thanks for the welcome!
It's no bother for me to go by the book and start with the "Read/Run - XP Cleaning Procedure" page.
IN FACT I think it is due to this sites recommended maintenance and cleaning procedures that I have never had a serious malware/infection problem. Cudos and a BIG Thanks! to you and the Major's forums

So I'd like to address the Software issues in the proper forum with full detail after I know all else is up to Majorgeeks standards. Back to Read/Run ?'s and comments ...

1) Unless the program specifically says to load to desktop or the root C:\ (i.e.. combofix, MGtools), can I load/run from another partition (such as E: ) and not run into problems? Just want to be sure, as there are a few new programs/procedures from my last maintenance update.

2) I have no Java files to update or replace? ... strange? I dl'd the Java 6 update 10 but didn't load it yet.

3)While cleaning out old programs in "Add/Remove Programs" I get a "Cannot delete MSI installer" error when trying to delete "Quake 4(TM)" and "Quake II(TM)". This is strange as all other traces (I can find) of the programs are removed, except their titles in Add/Remove Programs. I probably should do a "Search" and also address this in another thread, but I thought I'd mention it here, as to a novice like me, this looks more like malware?

4) and last for now, the program "Malwarebytes Anti-malware" seems to cost money. Like most everyone here that takes the time to learn to solve their own problems with the "Majors" help doesn't want to spend money if they don't have to? .... will this kill me if I skip this program or is there a viable freeware substitute? And/or is this why you steered me the other direction? ..... Dumb ... Nooob question .... Huh?

Thanks again for your patience and Expertise!

PS ... Holy %$#@ you get some serious traffic even on T-day ... I'm not hangin by a thread with black screens and BSOD's and your time REALLY IS APPRECIATED! ... NO RUSH

 

After reading this thread:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=174678

I now get it and see where your going ... sorry for the trouble!

What I really needed to see was this thread:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525

I must have missed it in the stickies! thanks for your patience and TIME ...
I will embark on anther path but any comments from the previous post questions would surely still be appreciated!

 

1st thanks for your help and patience .... again! I'm a noob for sure :-o

I may have some malware problems, but not bad enough that my basic maintenance programs shouldn't be able to handle, now that they're updated and revised thanks to you and MG!

Obsolutely, I would like to tackle the software issue's in the proper forums. My puter has been acting up quite a bit lately, but I need to get through the maintenance programs 1st .... as for me, many times this will solve many issue's of erratic behavior.

Thanks ..... I respect how busy and precious your time is!

PS thanks for the E:\Program Files\ ..... tip ... I think it solved a problem I was having with the RE-install of SpyBot.

PSS When I dug deeper I found some Java files hangin around so I think I'm clean for the new update/install of SunJava 10.