><<I use  the CD's that
>came with this computer to reinstall everything>>


Therein lies the answer, methinks.  Sounds as if it's a manufacturer's 
version of Windows, which aren't always the same as the genuine one 
purchased direct from Microsoft.  And, if it's a major brand name computer, 
those chances are almost a certainty.

It's highly unlikely that your service provider would insert anything 
relating to McAfee or Nortons into your registry. Whilst they may well have 
them protecting you at the service end, these protections are stand-alone 
at the server's end, to protect you before anything even reaches your computer.

And whilst Tony is right in saying that a computer (if it is on ADSL or 
cable) can be infected within minutes,  it's highly unlikely that Nortons 
or McAfee would do this.  Whilst many may regard Nortons a-v as virus-like 
in its intrusiveness, it's not yet descended to the category of invading 
your computer from without.  So I don't think that's likely to be source of 
your problem.

Peter's right---your new registry is sourced from the disk with which you 
installed XP---which sounds as if it's not an original Microsoft 
disk.  Very few which come supplied with new retail computers are.

Incidentally, not all OEM disks will give you the right to update or 
download software from Microsoft.  For that, you need an authorised licence 
No, which usually, but not necessarily, will have been supplied with your 
computer.  That's how some lesser (read "pirate) manufacturers cut corners.

In any event, as long as you're not experiencing any ill-effects from these 
registry remnants, such as error messages, I wouldn't worry about them. The 
space they take up is miniscule.

A good registry cleaner such as JV16 Powertools might delete them, but you 
wouldn't see any difference in performance.  I removed 148 dead registry 
entries a few days ago, but can't see any noticeable effects whatsoever.

Don Penlington








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