link Tradeshow Calendar Factory-Fresh Registry A Registry merge can correct annoying, persistent performance flaws. by Lenny Bailes October 1, 1999 Most Windows users know that their operating system begins to bog down and exhibit strange quirks after several months of use. Eventually, Windows won't shut down normally, or a notebook won't return from suspend mode. Power management may become erratic. A network card or sound card won't be recognized, or mysterious blue-screen error messages and general protection faults may occur with greater and greater frequency. Some power users reinstall Windows a few times each year just to get their systems back into optimum shape. But reinstalling Windows 95/98 can take several hours out of an otherwise productive day. Since the Windows Registry causes many of the problems that crop up over time, a simpler, Registry-oriented repair strategy makes more sense when trying to resolve nagging problems. Look for a hidden file in the root folder of your boot drive called System.1st, a file created during the Windows 95/98 installation that contains all of the default registry information for the first start-up of the operating system. RegEdit lets you extract all or part of the information from this "factory default" file and merge it into a corrupted registry, which often yields an effect akin to reinstalling Windows. And it takes a lot less time. So, before you give up and rerun Windows Setup, try the following procedure: · Make sure to make a backup of the current Registry (or a recent version created during the last several days) that you can use to restore you system if this trick doesn't work well. If you don't have a backup, use ScanReg (for Windows 98 users), or, if you run Windows 95, use the Emergency Recovery Utility (labeled as ERU in the Other\Misc folder on your Windows CD) to make Registry backups. · Boot to a real-mode DOS command prompt by holding down Control while powering up and selecting "Command Prompt Only." · From the DOS prompt, issue the following commands: · CD/ · REGEDIT /L:SYSTEM.1ST /E MY.REG · You just created a usable copy of your machine's original Registry settings. Next, merge those settings into the current Windows Registry that's causing problems. Enter: REGEDIT MY.REG. The next time you boot into Windows 95 or 98, the system will behave as though you had just performed a refresh installation. It will rerun the Plug-and-Play hardware detection wizard and reinitialize the desktop. But Windows will also retain the cumulative program information on software and hardware that you've added since the original installation. This trick takes 5 to 10 minutes to execute. On most Windows machines, it usually resolves shutdown problems, fixes power management problems, correctly reconfigures hardware peripherals and banishes general protection faults--preserving program information, the Internet history cache, and desktop settings. This trick won't solve problems caused by corrupt drivers or program files or an improperly installed application. If performance doesn't improve, you'll need to completely reinstall Windows. ADVERTISEMENT link /event.ng/Type=click&ProfileID=630&RunID=4399&AdID=7055&GroupID=1&FamilyID=8 33&TagValues=152.398.415&Redirect=http:%2F%2Fwww.nextcard.com%2Findex.html%3 Fref%3Dbprpcwrm93 link Printer-Friendly Version Inside This Article Factory-Fresh Registry Related Links link Windows Tips External Links link TipWorld: More Tips by E-Mail Today's Headlines • link Norton Vs. Viruses • link Via Stumbles • link PC-Price Aftershocks? • link Memory Stick • link Gadget Greatness link Copyright © 1999 PC World Communications. All Rights Reserved. Use of this service is subject to the PC World Online link Terms of Service Agreement. PC World Online link Privacy Policy. PC World Online complies with the link ASME Guidelines with IDG Extensions for new media. SHOP NOW ONLINE! ADVERTISEMENT link /r/wts/1,2061,wts-buycomp-0722,00.html link The Internet Computer Superstore with the Lowest Prices on Earth! link /r/wts/1,2061,wts-ecost-0924,00.html link Thousands of Computer Products AT COST with FREE SHIPPING - Click Here for Details! link http://www.pcworld.com/r/wts/1%2C2061%2Cwts-ubidend-0699%2C00.html SPECIAL OFFERS • link DELL now offers cutting-edge PIII desktops for $999. Click here. • link Vstore - Open your own FREE, fully stocked online store now! • link Join handtech.com and show people how to use the Internet! • link @Backup - Automatic, Safe, Reliable data protection. Install Free trial today! • link Trade in your old monitor for a new CTX VL700S and get cash back! • link Complete 600MHz Athlon powered CyberMax systems - Starting at $1299 - ONLY at CyberMax. • link uBid Online Auction has all the computer products you need! • link NEXTCARD: HOW LOW CAN YOU GO? How does a 2.9 intro APR Visa sound? • link Looking for a new monitor? Click here for award-winning monitors from iiyama link /event.ng/Type=click&ProfileID=1526&RunID=5699&AdID=8553&GroupID=1&FamilyID= 2054&TagValues=152.398.818.854&Redirect=http:%2F%2Fads05.focalink.com%2FSmar tBanner%2Fpage%3F272.90-$random$ link /event.ng/Type=click&ProfileID=246&RunID=5659&AdID=8597&GroupID=52&FamilyID= 1270&TagValues=152.266.398&Redirect=http:%2F%2Fr2.backup.com%2FBID8640%3Fsup bid%3D8640 link Get 2 Risk-Free Issues of PC World! And get a Free Windows 98 Mousepad! ADVERTISEMENT link /event.ng/Type=click&ProfileID=1425&RunID=3912&AdID=8075&GroupID=1&FamilyID= 1912&TagValues=152.398.775&Redirect=http:%2F%2Fwww.tipworld.com%2Fcategory%2 F1,2746,tipworld+6,00.html%3Fsub_source%3Dhouse_baby link Join Now! Register with PC World Online and receive exclusive newsletters, get a chance to win great prizes, and stay on top of the latest in personal computing! link Free E-Mail! Sign-up for your Free web-based e-mail account today! link Hot Deals! Stop traveling the globe to do your shopping. Stay right where you are. Click here to shop online! link Free Newsletters! We offer free daily newsletters covering everything from Hot Shareware to Windows 98! Subcribe today! link Free Advertising for your Web Site Drive traffic to your web site for free -- Join PC World Clicks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to speak in real time to other Blindtech Group members, an http://www.egroups.com/VoiceChatPage?listName=blindtech&method=launch To unsubscribe from blindtech at any time, send blank e-mail to blindtech-unsubscribe@egroups.com