Error message and Registry repair programs??? 1

[Bocaire]

I've been getting some error messages lately about XP having probems reading an instruction at 0x00000000.

After doing some searches on Google, it seems that there are lots of others having similar problems. I've also gotten an error message at the close of the shutdown window. I've never had the system freeze, and have always been able to dismiss the error message when it came up while XP was running.

The general concensus is that error messages such as this may well be related to some Registry "problems". And a good Registry "cleaner" may well resolve the problem(s).

First question - is it probable that the Registry is involved here?

Second Question - if so, what are some of the best "cleaners" out there. I've done some Google searching, and there are a number that are well rated, although two different sites may have different ones rated as best, and not even mention one that was given a top rating on another site.

Some the well rated ones I've spotted are

RegCure
RegistryFix
XP Repair Pro
Error Killer

Can anyone offer me some feedback on this matter? I'd guess that a good Registry cleaner would be a good idea, even if one wasn't having any obvious problems.

Thanks for any info offered.

Bocaire

 

[linney]

Perhaps the first thing you should consider is the use of System Restore, that itself has the ability to restore a Registry to a previous point in time where you did not have this problem.

There is one Registry Cleaner, and while it is not free, seems to be head and shoulders above all the others.

System Maintenance and Registry Cleaning

http://www.macecraft.com/

There could be several other causes to you problem besides registry corruption.

How does the machine run from Safe Mode?

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido"

http://www.ewido.net/

Are there any clues in the Event Viewer?

 

[Bocaire]

Hi Linney,

I guessed you would be the first to reply

Other than the error message, everything seems to be working fine. There are no crashes, no blue screens, and all my software seems to be normal.

There has been one other "error"message occasionally. During shutdown, I have seen a strange error message flash on screen just at the end of shutdown screen. This was related to one of my printers (part of a Brother MF madhine). This message just pops up, and then immediately goes away, as the system is shut down then.

System Restore is always a possibility. What happens if a program was installed after the restore point chosen. I'd assume that all its Registry entries wuold not be there, but of course the folder tree for the program would. I assume a reinstall would be needed.

I looked over everything in the Startup listing et al, but didn't really spot anything there. If things ever really got out of hand, I use Acronis True Image, which is a fantastic program for imaging drives et al. I have a large library of such images. But I don't think I'm at that point yet.

Booting into Safe Mode is a good idea - to see if the problem with the program causing the present issue is still there. But first, I downloaded the latest version of FolderSync, and I'll install it first to see if that makes any difference. And, I'll also consider a good reg cleaner. That's always a good idea under any circumstance.

Bocaire

 

[linney]

System Restore will almost certainly remove (or partly remove) any programs installed since the chosen Restore Point. It will however, offer you an "Undo Restore Point" should any Restore not fix the problem.

 

[Bocaire]

Hi Linney,

I went to the Macecraft site. The prices of their products are so reasonable, that there doesn't seem to be any contest.

We're heading out today for a 5 day family gathering on the west coast of Florida. When we return I'll certainly order from Macecraft.

Do you use their Registry maintenance/cleaner products? I was surprised that I didn't see them listed in any of the magazine reviews I came up with.

Bocaire

 

[linney]

I was a constant supporter of their registry cleaner products and still have their final free version lying around somewhere, but I never seem to have the need of such products (touch wood). I prefer to use this freeware product which is an all-in-one backup and restore of the registry.

Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/XP

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

To my way of thinking a Registry Cleaner is something you use 1 minute before you re-install Windows or run the latest (and very recent) backup image of the whole partition.