anyone used a registry cleaner before ??

[colpol]

Got a laptop thats pushing 5 years old

Received as a gift & no O/S disks - just came pre-configured (Vista !!)

Running like a dog now - slow - very slow.

I've just ran the MS fix 50195 to reset IE for about the 5th time in last few months. Defrags once a month, constantly running disk cleanups - have used malware programs to see if something slowing the laptop up that my regular ani virus missing - after all of the above - it seems to run better for about a week & then just goes back to its normal slow speed & white screening a lot in IE

IF I had an O/S disk - I'd format & reinstall vista before I eventually say 5 years is enough

Just wanted to know if anyone used any registry clean programs or anything similar ? Just for one final last try before i bite the bullet & go for a new laptop

[The Joker]

The only thing that really works is to rebuild it.

Are you sure that the original software is not on a separate partition. When you boot might be able to trigger with the F keys. F8, F10,11 12.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Vista is a dog. If your processor and memory are up to it go to Windows 7.

Memory is cheap.

[rolio]

I used Vista for around 5 yrs. and was constantly cleaning, defragging, registry cleaning, all which helped for a while. Look at your start up programs, they may be dogging you down also. Finally went to Windows 7, and there definitely is a difference: snappier by a few degrees Not a rocket launch but faster.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by The Joker

The only thing that really works is to rebuild it.

Are you sure that the original software is not on a separate partition. When you boot might be able to trigger with the F keys. F8, F10,11 12.

Originally Posted by mrbill2mrbill2

Vista is a dog. If your processor and memory are up to it go to Windows 7.

Memory is cheap.

Originally Posted by rolio

I used Vista for around 5 yrs. and was constantly cleaning, defragging, registry cleaning, all which helped for a while. Look at your start up programs, they may be dogging you down also. Finally went to Windows 7, and there definitely is a difference: snappier by a few degrees Not a rocket launch but faster.

X2

[BarkMaster]

CCleaner is good.... also do a boot time defrag with Puran defrag and use the optimization routine.

[wantonebad]

Most of the "pay-for-cleaner" programs can be duplicated with free programs I would never pay for a registry cleaner. I agree that moving on from Vista might be your best bet. In the short term you can try free licensed usage for registry and spyware tools from CNET

[pacifichrono]

I use them all the time. I like these:










But after five years, this is what you REALLY need:

15.6"...6GB RAM...500GB Disk...$529.99

[azguy]

Interesting...

[phillycheez]

Just download the .iso and clean install. Faster install if you do it from a USB stick.

Product key should be on the bottom of the laptop

[RolexWatcher]

CCleaner - Use it all the time with my Vista.

Do a scan with Malwarebytes

BTW, the O/S would be in the harddisk. It's usual now not to have setup disks for laptops anymore.

Don't use IE. Try Chrome.

Uninstall crapware which is usual for Windows laptops.

[GradyPhilpott]

I think CCleaner and and a cleanup of your start up programs, which CCleaner can help you with, too. Malwarebytes is a great suggestion.

If your computer is an HP, the OS is definitely on a partition.

You should be able to find instruction to get to that partition on the internet.

Back up everything you're not willing to lose.

As noted above, you can get a new laptop and that would be the best remedy for a five year old machine and besides, I think you'll like Windows 7.

Of course, W8 is on the way for a small upgrade fee, but I'd stick with 7 for awhile and see where 8 goes first.

Vista bombed, as you probably know.

Do not buy cleanup programs. You're just throwing your money away.

STOP USING IE!

[A.J.R.]

I think its time to Old Yeller your laptop

[GermanyMatt]

Originally Posted by phillycheez

Just download the .iso and clean install. Faster install if you do it from a USB stick.

Product key should be on the bottom of the laptop

+1

Might also toss in a new hard drive, especially if the current drive is 4200rpm.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

CCleaner is good.... also do a boot time defrag with Puran defrag and use the optimization routine.

+1

CCleaner works like a champ

[GradyPhilpott]

Defraggler is another good program and it's free. It's from the same people who do CCleaner.

It's faster than the Windows defragger and it optimizes the files so that your machine will spend less time looking for the files it needs to boot.

[looking to buy]

The best choice is a new computer. One that runs Windows 7 or get one that runs Windows 8 if you are into taking a chance. Of course, a new Apple would work also. I had numerous Vista computers. All were junk. The time I spent trying to fix them was not worth it. A 5 year old one is probably only good as a door stop.

[Rolexpilot]

I have been a PC guy mostly, but LOVE my Macbook Pro. I noticed a that Walmart had a Samsung with a backlighted keyboard.

Undoubtedly, other PC laptops have a backlighted keyboard. It is one feature that I now require. It is especially good for me because I use the laptop at night in bed, and I am not a touch typist.

[onkyo]

What I do to extend the life on my older computers is first back everything up. Then I would re-format the hard drive with a better OS (XP or Windows 7). Upgrading the memory at the same time would help too. Good luck!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by onkyo

What I do to extend the life on my older computers is first back everything up. Then I would re-format the hard drive with a better OS (XP or Windows 7). Upgrading the memory at the same time would help too. Good luck!

X2


Moreover if 5 year old PC's were ALL door stops no one would get anything done. Half the compnies in the world would have to fold their tents and go home.

[colpol]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions - much appreciated

I googled ccleaner & downloaded a program called "FixBee Disk Optimiser"

It ran for nearly 3 hours hours & then I used it to delete all junk files - I've already used the windows diskcleanup but it still found over 3000 files to cleanup\ delete.

Does seem to be running a bit faster & so far no white screens. Fingers crossed. Yeah - I know 5 years is a long time in the life of a laptop but its like an old pair of slippers !! LOL !! Hopefully if I run regular optimisation checks on it using fixbee - maybe get another 6/ 12 months & then I'll bite the bullet & get a new one

[QueueCumber]

Originally Posted by colpol

Got a laptop thats pushing 5 years old

Received as a gift & no O/S disks - just came pre-configured (Vista !!)

Running like a dog now - slow - very slow.

I've just ran the MS fix 50195 to reset IE for about the 5th time in last few months. Defrags once a month, constantly running disk cleanups - have used malware programs to see if something slowing the laptop up that my regular ani virus missing - after all of the above - it seems to run better for about a week & then just goes back to its normal slow speed & white screening a lot in IE

IF I had an O/S disk - I'd format & reinstall vista before I eventually say 5 years is enough

Just wanted to know if anyone used any registry clean programs or anything similar ? Just for one final last try before i bite the bullet & go for a new laptop

It is worth a try if you are going to reinstall the OS anyway...

Personally, I would upgrade to Windows 7; Vista is known for being a resource hog.