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System cleaners keeps uninstalling hardware

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by ravn87, 2010/05/20.

  1. 2010/05/20
    ravn87

    ravn87 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I just reinstalled my OS ALL OVER AGAIN from viral defect, from scratch. I found a keyboard driver update that gives my KB full-functionality w/ the Win-XP upgrade system, and re-installed my printer software which took a while. Unfortunately before I did that, I also installed four types of cleaners to make sure my system gets wiped of any junk, because this 384mb RAM system gets slow with the TINIEST of glitches and cache-ing. I use:

    - CCLEANER
    - ATF Cleaner
    - TFC cleaner
    - CleanAfterME

    ATF and TFC cleaners are not customizable, but they seem to do a REALLY thorough job of getting remnants erased that the other 2 cleaners miss. I just keep running each cleaner until each one shows nothing, to be sure. However, my problem is they do SUCH a good job that every time I reboot my computer, my hardware (keyboard and printer) have to be reinstalled EVERYTIME :eek:. Is there anyway that I can find these hardware-install files and relocate them to any other convenient place so they wont be touched when my system is cleaned nightly? Or is there anyway to modify my system caching and temps target folder so that these cleaners will erase ONLY the temp junk I want cleaned off? Any input would be appreciated. I'm still learning about system upkeep and protection so as to avoid the PC HELL!! I just got out of.

    Primary concern: rescue hardware install files from cleansers

    Thank you. =)
     
  2. 2010/05/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Welcome to WindowsBBS :)

    A system with a 1500 MHz processor and 384 Mb RAM will never fly - as you are too well aware - XP runs adequately on a minimum of 512 Mb RAM. Unfortunately the system is that old that RAM modules no longer appear to be available for it.

    However I think you are way OTT running 4 cleaners multiple times on a daily basis and I am not surprised that you are having issues. I would never recommend running any sort of Registry Cleaner - these programs often do far more harm than good (and can render a system unbootable) and any performance increases will be miniscule and not noticed.

    Junk files do not eat up RAM - they are just files sitting on the drive. Looking at your partition details I would think that the arrangement would inherently slow the computer down - again you may or may not see this. Another factor of importance is the amount of free space on the dtive - C:\ should have >15% free space for Windows to function well. Other drives should also have a reasonable amount of free space - several Gb's.

    You should be looking at controlling your Start Up items - I guess there will be several unnecessary items in the list - I find WinPatrol useful for controlling startups - easy to disable/enable as well as monitoring the system for changes.

    You have answered your own question in part ....

    If you insist on running all 4 cleaners and are experiencing problems it is time to make a logical investigation into which one is removing references to your keyboard - I would guess a registry cleaner.
    Any drivers will be loaded into the System32 within Windows and probably into the .dll cache as well and cannot be moved from these default locations if they are to function. Keyboard software should be installed in Program files.
     

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  4. 2010/05/20
    anands

    anands Inactive

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    I think CC cleaner is okay bit compared to others and as rightly pointed by pete it is not best practice to run registry cleaners which may possibly corrupt the registry hive.

    The issue you talking about are the driver mismatch or driver files not registered properly. If you have your motherboard cd, just reinstall all drivers and also reinstall Service Pack and things should get fine. Again 384MB RAM is not that so sufficient and you need to have it increased to 512.

    MSCONFIG is a good utility to be on top of start up items, disable unwanted services which will also boost the performance.
     
  5. 2010/05/21
    ravn87

    ravn87 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Cleaners, and (Hardware) installation files- info needed

    I'm sorry it took me so long to reply, I've been trying to structure my reply in a manner that's efficient and not so long-winded. But when I started typing yesterday, everything just literally came pouring out like mad to the point I have a full essay based on just your comments alone, filled with equal-length questions and info...it's insane. I have no idea how much detail to give you or if you even HAVE the time to read what I've got to inform on. However, suffice it to say: so far this forum has been very helpful,and I appreciate your reply point blank. My questions get specific, and there are a few that I haven't found threads to yet. So if there's any direction you could point me in, I'd be more than happy to oblige. I'm doing a lot of the research myself. =)

    I have a link to the WordPad document if you would like to take a glance at it. It's my FULL response. (hehe, if you blow it up to full screen, keep the font size at 10pt., and use sylfaen font, it's really not that long.) The gist of it is it covers everything you've both suggested and adds a few more details to what I've given about the dilemma, as well as what I've done. I didn't want to post key points on here until I knew what detail you're looking for, and chopping it for length will only confuse people. So I'm waiting for your opinion.

    Summary:
    -RDRAM = no, I can't upgrade, I've tried. I'm told if I try it'll be worth just buying a whole new computer, and it'll cause an avalanche of problems.

    - Partitions = the 4 I've chosen are based on what I've researched thus far.

    - Autoruns = there are still certain pesky programs that REFUSE to disable, I would like to learn how to do it manually.

    - The cleaners = trying to learn what target locations/folders these progs "cleanse" so as to save vital files, cookies, and components (soft/hard-ware)

    - drivers = third party upgrades as there are no EXACT specific upgrades written for my brand, would like to know install target locations

    - protection = need more knowledge on program configuration for maximum efficiency, especially when interworking with eachother.


    Again, thank you so much for getting back. I really appreciate it....a lot.:D
     
  6. 2010/05/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I shall reply briefly with key points ......

    I would always recommend at least 2 partitions - OS & Data. If the OS requires to be reinstalled the OS partition can be formatted without losing data. There is no future in installing programs on a separate partition as all installed programs (not standalones) install many files into the bowels of Windows and multiple entries inthe Registry. Asking Windows to flick between partitions is slower than Windows looking on it's own partition. If the OS drive is reformatted all programs have to be re-installed.

    There are arguments for putting the pagefile on a separate (physical) drive, but you still need a pagefile on the OS drive for memory dumps .....

    How to configure paging files for optimization and recovery in Windows XP

    My practice on W98 & XP was to use a fixed size pagefile equal to 1.5X the installed RAM - this prevents the pagefile from becoming fragmented as is the case if Windows manages the pagefile.

    RAM and the pagefile work hand in hand - the pagefile is virtual memory and as it is disk based is far slower than actual RAM. Pagefile used to be called the swap file which in many ways is a better term for it. You start up a program and Windows loads it into RAM swapping what ever is currently in memory to the page file - which shrinks or grows according to need if Windows is allowed to manage it and gets fragmented.

    Yes - we all make a typo occasionally - 384 Gb , but in practice that is only a factor of 2 adrift. Win 7 Pro x64 and above will support 192 Gb RAM :D. You're stuck with your 384 Mb RAM.

    You can basically forget about running a later OS - 7 is the only choice - on that computer. It is nowhere near the mark :)

    Windows 7 is compatible with most software - I have 15 year old software running on my Win 7 box without issue. Win 7 does not demand software written specifically for it and there the compatability mode in XP is retained in 7.

    BTW - Revo Uninstaller runs perfectly in 64 bit Windows 7.

    XP will be supported by MS until 2014 (you must have SP3 as of July this year to get Windows Updates) and will not stop working after that date. New OS's offer new and better facilities and, above all, far higher levels od security.

    Personally I would not use msconfig to control start up items - WinPatrol or Autoruns are far superior.

    Some OS based startups cannot be disabled - CTFmon can be disabled - Google 'disable ctfmon' and Windows Messenger can be uninstalled ....

    Uninstall Windows Messenger

    I'm running out of steam now - you have our article on security software - default settings are generally fine.

    I should quit worrying about tuning everything to the nth degree and just use the computer for whatever :) Just remember one thing - back up and backup the backup.
     
  7. 2010/05/21
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    FWIW, to all, I will say that for analyzing startups and controlling them, I highly recommend the freeware Quick-Startup. You can highlight any startup and click a link for "More information" and it will connect you to their site where there will be a cross section of opinions by other users on the item as to whether it's necessary, etc. Using it, you can disable things more intelligently and have fewer surprises.
     
  8. 2010/05/27
    ravn87

    ravn87 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thank you for all the tips, I know at times I came off as OCD. I'm still trying to handle the basic main concern: finding what keeps getting erased and how to work around that instead of never cleaning my computer. For whatever reason, Mozilla Firefox keeps getting attacked as well, and all my system restore points have been wiped-no clue whose the culprit behind that. I get "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system." I go into Process Explorer but nothing about Firefox or it's handles show up anywhere. So external hardware down, Firefox down, SR gone. I figured a program titled, "TEMP File cleaner" or "A Temp File Cleaner" would do JUST THAT: target only temp files. Whatever, I don't know, but I'll keep hacking away at it. I'll repost whatever fixes and answers I find, in the mean time label this thread Unsolved.

    I'm sorry for bombarding you like that. I just kept throwing up more questions as related topics popped up in my summary and figured whatever answers I got, see if it incorporates into solving the mess w/o having to reinstall everything consistently. I guess the best bet is just do a clean install, do an SR-point, use CCleaner and system restore afterwards, then just redownload whatever MS-Win updates I had, on next log-on....maybe. hmmm....

    Anyway, PeteC, Anands, surferDude= my gratitude. I'll keep informed.:rolleyes:
     

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