| If you have a computer running the Microsoft | | | | |
| Windows XP operating system, chances are | | | | The good news is that, in most cases, the |
| you've had a problem with slow performance, | | | | Windows registry can be cleaned or fixed. |
| freezeups or crashes. This is especially true | | | | There is software available that can scan, |
| of older computers. Why does this happen? | | | | clean and repair the registry. You can take |
| Well your computer slows down for any number | | | | your PC to a repair shop or technician, but |
| of reasons, but two of the main reasons are | | | | on most occasions, they'll simply run the |
| spyware/malware and Windows XP registry | | | | same software you can buy. Most of the better |
| problems. | | | | registry cleaning applications will go |
| | | | through your computer's registry with a fine |
| Chances are you've heard something about | | | | toothed comb, looking for missing, corrupt or |
| spyware. It's a popular, if infamous topic | | | | inaccurate parts of the registry. Once the |
| these days in the media and on the Internet. | | | | scan has been run, you'll be presented with a |
| If you've never heard of the registry, don't | | | | few options on how to proceed. Thankfully, |
| worry, many computer users haven't. The | | | | with most registry cleaners, one of those is |
| Windows registry is simply a database where | | | | some form of automatic repair. You simply |
| the Windows operating system stores all the | | | | click "clean" or "repair" and the software |
| settings it needs to work correctly. All your | | | | will do the rest. |
| software applications will change the | | | | |
| registry to accommodate their needs when | | | | It's typical for a well used XP machine to |
| they're installed. In many cases, that's the | | | | have upwards of 1,000 registry problems that |
| problem. When you add and remove software | | | | need attention. With so many problems, it's |
| from your machine, the registry can become | | | | easy to see how your PC can begin to feel a |
| corrupt. Files can also go missing. If this | | | | bit sluggish. The reality is that, depending |
| happens, it can lead to all manner of | | | | upon what problems your registry is |
| problems, some of which you may be | | | | experiencing, your computer can begin to have |
| experiencing now. | | | | noticeable performance degradation with far |
| | | | fewer registry errors. If your machine is |
| The most typical symptoms of registry errors | | | | experiencing this kind of behavior, it's a |
| or corruption are slow performance and freeze | | | | great idea to run a registry cleaner on it. |
| ups. Extreme cases can lead to Windows | | | | It usually takes only a few minutes, and |
| refusing to go any further and displaying the | | | | you'll be able to get back to work or play |
| dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" and HKEY | | | | with fewer interruptions and maddening |
| errors. This is accompanied by dire sounding | | | | slowdowns. Your computer will be almost as |
| error messages that Windows has experienced | | | | good as new. |
| errors and shut down to avoid damage to your | | | | |
| computer. Most of the time your PC shuts down | | | | You'll probably never be so frustrated in |
| you can simply restart it and continue your | | | | your life as when your computer slows down, |
| work. If you had the misfortune to be working | | | | freezes up, or crashes. Sometimes you'll be |
| on your TPS report, a presentation for a new | | | | unfortunate enough to experience all three, |
| client, or your thesis, you probably lost | | | | in that order. There are some common causes |
| everything since the last time you saved your | | | | and solutions for these computer woes. You |
| work. If this is the case, you'll begin to | | | | can solve your problems at the fix a slow |
| realize why registry errors can be such a | | | | computer guide. |
| problem. | | | | |