Using Ad-Aware SE ( or my mistakes )

I downloaded and installed Ad-Aware SE on two machines. One with XP Pro and one with 98SE. It did a FINE JOP of cleaning. Both machines run a bit faster and smoother. Expecially on the Internet.

I like the idea of it going back to the original download site to get updates.

Am I correct in thinking that this is a built-in part ? If so it sure is a great idea.

However, I made a big boo-boo. After cleaning 98SE I attempted to run a program and had problems. Without thinking ( bad habit of mine ) I restored an old reg backup. The program still did not run. The problem was not due to Ad-Aware ( where I put the blame at first ) at all. I had the program installed twice and used the wrong shortcut. That has since been fixed VERY QUICKLY.

I ran Ad-Aware again and eveything was back that it removed in the first place. So now I have removed all old Reg Backups is SE and RPs in XP and made new ones.

Moral of the story. ( I think )

Be carefull when restoring backups after cleaning.

BillyBob

 

Hi BB,

Your response to the original problem was logical - you didn't know what was wrong at the time and restoring a backup and testing and then eliminating it as a cause was the right way to go.

However, wiping out RP's and backups is shortsighted. If you have a BIG problem, you have no way of going back. So what if you have to re-run AAW or even reinstall it, that's minor.

Regards - Charles

 

You do have a good point. But each case has to be asseted individually. This is not a one way fits all thing.

Of course in SE it would only replace the registry and nothing to the actuall folders on the HD. ( that can be dangerous too BTW. )

But in this case where I knew for sure what the problem was and I had removed an invalid, outdate, messed up install why would I want to gamble on putting it back in again ?

I also ran Norton WinDoctor and it found several illeagl shortcuts to the illeagl program folder etc.

But before I did delete the backups I did make sure that all was working correctly. When I used the correct shortcut it works fine.

BTW. The problem program was AOL Instant Messenger. It now works FAR better than it has for awhile. Again WHY, would I want to gamble on putting all of the trash ( that I knew was wrong ) back in. Even just restoring the REG in SE might even be more problems without the actual software ( which I had removed ) being on the HD.

As to why there were two installs I will never know. Well yes I do know. SOMBODY messed up.

BillyBob

 

PS.

My Niece was just here and used AIM. She asked me what I did because it was working so much better.

BB

 

Billy Bob--You are in luck. You get to uninstall, reinstall and configure AA again. New version 1.02 of AdAwareSE out yesterday.