I am not sure, but there are several simple things you did not mention, was
it because you never heard of them or because you guessed they are too
simple to mention. They are the usual causes of a super slow machine.
Emptying the trash, Discscan, Defrag, deleting temp files, deleting unused
programs. Msconfig? Running too many background programs...  a program I
found works well is Piraforms C Cleaner. It is freeware and does not bait
and switch like many do.  Have you checked for Malware? Malwarebytes has a
good reputation in fact my Network security software company told me about
it. One suggestion is to rename the file when downloading it. Also run your
antivirus software in a "Deepscan" mode in safe mode. 

John Green
PO Box 1301
Los Alamitos, CA 90720-1301

-----Original Message-----
From: PCSOFT - Personal Computer software discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lewis C. Emerson
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 3:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Registry & Securiry

Several years ago I purchased a laptop (Acer Aspire 3000, w. Win XP Pro) for
my wife.  After she passed away, I started using her laptop as it was much
faster than my old Midwest Micro w. Win-95.  Now the laptop has become
slower and slower (sound familiar ?).  More recently I've inherited a Dell
Dimension 2400 Series w. Win XP-Home Ed.  This machine was much faster than
the slowed-down laptop so I've been using it.  Now the Dell has slowed to
the point that makes me wait and wait and wait to get anything done.
In searching for help I ran across a website offering a Registry Cleaner
that was assured to restore the original speed.  It was UniBlue's Registry
Booster, and running the free scan it found 88 registry errors. While it
"cleaned" out 15 of these for free I had to pay $30 to obtain the registered
version to remove the remaining 73 errors.  The software was supposed to be
partnered with Microsoft so I assumed that it was OK and safe to run,
although I had been warned over and over to not mess around with the
registry.   In hopes of regaining the speed I bought the full version and,
sure enough, it cleaned out the remaining 73 errors.  However, upon
checking, I discovered that the machine ran slower than ever!!!   I went
back to UniBlue and was told that I needed to purchase their "Speed Up My
PC" software to regain the original speed - for another $30. Then I saw that
it was advisable to also purchase their "Power Suite" and, as I was an owner
of their Registry Booster, I was offered a "special price" of $40.   
My ISP provides Norton's Security Suite free and upon using that to check
the registry it discovered an additional 20 errors.  Supposedly, it "fixed"
these, but the machine still ran s-l-o-w.
Further checking found a website offering a "free" package of "tips" said to
restore speed of PCs.  It's the site of a Kris Mainieri who describes him
self as a "regular dude" who has a hobby of optimizing the speed of PCs.
His product is called the "PCSecretFormula" and they do have a website of
that name.  It appears to not be "free", but he offers it at a bargain price
of about  $100, which is essentially the same as UniBlue's package for their
three products ($30 + $30 + $40).  Mainieri says that "so-called" Registry
Cleaners are worthless and that they are marketed only to get their hands
into our wallets, and that the Registry itself is not the cause of our PCs
slowing down.  He further says that his Secret Formula is putting PC repair
outfits "out of business".  A lot of Mainiers's advice comes via audio/video
clips, but I have great trouble understanding his diction.
As we already know the Internet is filled with advertisements for Registry
Cleaners, most of which purport to increase the speed of PCs.  There are, in
fact, so many that it's impossible for novices like me to understand what's
what with all this verbiage.  Many of us have to rely on the experts to
advise us - experts like those at FreePCTech as well as others who offer
their expertise on site like this.
My next job is to try to undue whatever has been caused by my installing
UniBlue's Registry Booster, and then to possibly obtain my $30 back (as they
offer).  I'll find that out shortly.
In the meantime if anyone is familiar with this PCSecretFormula I, and
perhaps others, would like to know   I'm trying to be cautious where the
registry is concerned.  Any other suggestions about recovering from this
common slow-down problem would be appreciated.  I know that I could just
wipe everything off, but I'd hate to lose what stuff I've already collected
and just going through all of it would be a problem in itself.
I apologize for this lengthy epistle, but I do need help!  I'm sure that
there are others who would benefit from suggestions in this area. 
Doc (W4ITJ)
 

               The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
                 our special coffee cups and mouse pads
              with the PCSOFT logo...  at a great price!!!
             http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml

                         PCSOFT's List Owner's:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                        Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>