Windows Registry cleanup tool

[todd_k]

I'm having problems uninstalling programs in the Add/Remove Programs. The wizard pops up and I go through to steps but the program never actually unistalls. I also get programs that lock up the PC when I try to run them such as AnyDVD and Civilization 3.
I figured maybe it was a registry issue so I tried some cleanup tools like RegScrubXP and Abexo Free Registry Cleaner. Both find stuff and say they fix it but every time I run them they seem to find a few more problems. I've also downloaded Registry Mechanic that says it has found 1000+errors but it will only fix 3 without registering.
What programs (preferably free) should I try next? Also, if this isn't a registry problem, what else can I do? Reinstalling XP Pro is not an option.

 

[heyman421]

reinstall all problem programs

uninstall them again

if they're still there, boot into safe mode and delete all shortcuts and folders and files associated with the programs that failed to uninstall

reboot your computer as normal

install CCLEANER

inside ccleaner, go to tools, go to startup programs, and make sure there are no associated tasks scheduled to run at startup, delete them if they exist

if you had to delete any startup programs, restart your computer after you remove them

once again in ccleaner, run the registry scanner, and fix all found errors. Run it 2 or 3 times, until it stops coming up with more errors. Sometimes fixing one error creates another, so you have to do multiple passes.

That's as good as you're going to get when a program fails to uninstall properly (which DOES happen)

 

[PC eye]

One excellent freeware is the RegCleaner found at http://www.majorgeeks.com/RegCleaner_d460.html This opens with a main window where you can check off items you want to see removed and simply click on the remove button next to exit. If you go upto the tools menu for the dropdown list click on the registry cleanup option. That will open a second dropdown menu where you simply click on the "do them all" option for the automatic cleaner. This one evem works good on Vista.

Another freeware cleans the crap off of your drive explaining why it has it's own "crap cleaner" nickname for CCleaner found at http://www.ccleaner.com/

The first thing to after going for these and running them is to open up the msconfig utility and disable items you don't need running and certainly those you are trying to remove. After restarting the system run the RegCleaner since those will not be loaded along with Windows.

 

[todd_k]

I downloaded ccleaner and regcleaner. ran both and fixed everything they suggested but I'm still having the same problem. I reinstalled AnyDVD and it froze up just as it completed installation and freezes up when you launch the app. Civilization cannot be unistalled so I deleted the folder but it still won't let me reinstall unless I do it in a different directory.
I cleaned up the msconfig a couple weeks ago so I don't think that's the problem.

 

[PC eye]

With RegCleaner's main window you can look for Civilizaton's parent company's like Sierra, 3D Realms, Activision, etc. to select any of those for delection. You also have to go through the "DocumentsandSettings\user name\" sub folders for files and folders created there by installers. The installation logs and other items besides registry values can cause problems at times. But whatever firewall and antivirus programs will have to be disabled to prevent interference from them.