Sunday, 18 October 2009

3 Steps for Proper Windows Registry Maintenance

Author: Weisheng Wu

Since I'm going to talk about the Windows registry, it's better to give you a big picture of what it is before delving into the details. Let me put it this way, the registry is a hierarchical database in the Windows operating system, where configuration settings related to hardware, user preferences, memory setup, and applications are stored. You probably won't notice a need to fix any registry problems when your system is new, but as you use Windows for a period of time, your registry will become larger and larger, clustered with unnecessary and obsolete registry entries after software and drivers are removed from your computer.

To most PC users, the Windows registry is a mysterious and dark part of the operating system. Only experienced users would try to tweak it for enhanced system performance. It is widely agreed that invalid registry keys or entries are often the culprit of the majority of weird system errors and application installation/uninstallation problems. For instance, when a software package is removed, it is very likely that its remnants are still lurking in the registry. Without cleaning invalid registry entries, your system will be left with seeds for imminent trouble. In view of this, I'll cover the basic steps that average users can use to keep the registry clean and healthy with a few mouse clicks.

1. Back up the registry:

Be sure to back up your registry first before editing it. Making an incorrect registry modification could destroy any applications running on your system, even rendering Windows unable to boot in the worst scenario.

For Windows XP users: The best way to back up the registry is to use the System Restore tool. Click 'Start', point to 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'System Tools', and then select 'System Restore'. Choose 'Create a Restore Point'. Click 'Next' and follow the directions.

For Windows 2000 users: The best option is to use the export capability in Windows' Registry Editor to create a full backup of the registry. Click 'Start', point to 'Run', type 'regedit', and press 'Enter'. Select 'My Computer' in the folder tree, select 'File', 'Export', and identify a file name and destination. Save the file on a CD disc or other removable media.

2. Clean the registry:

As I mentioned earlier, the longer you use Windows, the more cluttered the registry can grow because some applications don't remove all traces of themselves when they are uninstalled. Orphaned registry entries may cause such problems as slower performance, system lockups, and strange installation error messages. The more common result is a bloated registry that takes longer to be loaded.

Windows 95 comes with a built-in registry cleaning utility called RegClean, but Microsoft does not include it in their operating systems after Windows 95. You'll have to use third-party utilities. For the most comprehensive Registry scanning and cleaning, you may want to buy a utility like Error Doctor or Registry Fix. These utility suites provide advanced features that fully scan, optimize, and maintain the registry, and they all work with all versions of Windows from 95 through XP.

3. Fix a damaged registry:

For Windows XP users: Restore to a past restore point by clicking 'Start', pointing to 'All Programs', 'Accessories', 'System Tools', and then selecting 'System Restore'. Choose 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'. Click 'Next' and select a restore point from the calendar by clicking a bold date and then selecting a restore point. Click 'Next' and confirm the restore date by clicking 'Next' again.

For Windows 2000 users: There are two options available. The first one is to import a registry backup into the registry by using the 'Import' command on the Registry Editor's 'File' menu. The second one is to use 'Last known good configuration'. Here are the steps to do it - Restart the computer. Hold down the 'F8v key while your system is booting up. Select 'Last known good configuration' from the Startup menu with the arrow keys on your keyboard. Press 'Enter' on the keyboard to confirm your selection.

Conclusion

Knowing how to back up, maintain, and restore the registry is an important part of keeping your computer running smoothly. I want to stress that modifying the registry should be done with care in that incorrect registry entries made could destroy the Windows operating system.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the AuthorWeisheng Wu has been a freelance technical writer for several years. For more information on Registry Cleaner Software, check out http://www.businessinfo.tw/LP/fixregistry.

Friday, 18 September 2009

Keys To Finding The Right Spanish Language Software

Author: Vince O

Are you looking for Spanish language software? Looking for software to be a difficult challenge when it comes to learning the Spanish-language. There are many options out there and choosing the right program can seem very challenging. Here are a few tips that you can use to help you decide what program to pick. Thinking of most expensive program is not always the wisest choice to make

Conversational Spanish

When it comes to learning to speak the Spanish-language you want to learn conversational Spanish. Conversational Spanish is the ability to speak Spanish as well as understand what people are saying to you in the Spanish-language. It's not bad to know if you Spanish words and phrases but when you're speaking Spanish and someone assumes you understand more there going to talk to faster and use more Spanish words that you may not understand. If you understand conversational Spanish you'll never have to worry or doubt your Spanish-speaking ability.

Choosing the right course

Choosing the right course is important for your education of this language. Find a course that keeps you entertained as well as teaches you conversational Spanish. Focus on ones that teach grammar, nouns and verbs and proper pronunciation of Spanish words and phrases. Focusing on these key points going to ensure you're going to get the best Spanish course for your money

Product price

Don't jump on the first product that is either cheap or expensive. Courses range from $75-$400. Some Spanish courses can even be more expensive than $400. Choosing the right course really comes down to preference. What can the course offer you the other courses can't. As long as the course you choose focuses on grammar, nouns and verbs and teach you conversational Spanish paying $100 or so can be a very good investment.

Learning time

Each Spanish course teaches differently. The learning time that it takes for you to become fluent in a Spanish language can range from three months to a year. It really depends on how much you devote yourself to learning and how often you are learning. Because interactive software programs can teach anybody young or older the Spanish-language the learning time is really going to you. The more time to devote the faster you will learn

Spanish language software is a better way to learn than more traditional ways like hiring a tutor or going to Spanish-speaking classes. More traditional ways can cost more money and take more time. Using your home computer and Spanish interactive software programming you can cut down your learning time and the amount of money is good to cost you.

About the Author: If you have not found the right Spanish language software yet then visit http://www.ipod-spanishlearning.com/ipod-spanish-courses-reviewed.html to see a review of the top 5 online Spanish courses.