need computer expert, no guessing?

Question

hp told me do delete files in my registry to reduce the load of temp files you know run then you type regedit i want to know if this may cause trouble in the future. the files are active item folder, compress old files, offline files, content index cleaner, downloaded program files, internet cache file, microsoft office, temp files, office setup files, temp off line files and off line page files. need expert no opinions thanks deborah s

Answer 1

Modifying registry can definitely screw up your computer if you dont do it correctly. Its the brain of your computer so if you mess with it, then some of your programs might stop running, your windows might act funky, and you might have errors on your windows.

Answer 2

This is hard to answer without knowing what you were complaining to them about ... but my guess is that you are experiencing a response problem (you think you computer has slowed down) This could be for several reasons, first you may need more memory, especially if you tend to open programs and use them and then just leave them open while you open others. Secondly, you may need to defrag your hard drive ... and also increase the size of your page file. Another reason (which I do hope is not your case) is that your system has become virus infected and the virus is chewing up a lot of cpu cycles. The answer you got from HP is fairly unusual, typically they want to reload you operating system and files to their original factory condition. No of the things that they have told you to remove are critical, but it is a fairly drastic procedure without having suggested the other (memory, defrag, page file, virus scan) first. Be very careful with the registry or you just may very well end up having to reload your drive and loose everything you have on it. If you can afford it, you're better off taking it to Good Guys, Best Buy, Fry's and let a pro diagnose and fix it. Shouldn't cost you more than $200.00 bucks. Good luck.

Answer 3

Wow, that's rough. The guy who told you what problems could be caused in the preceding answer, is correct.

For an inexperienced computer end user, I would recommend a house call by a trusted technician. For a slightly more advanced user that has the ability to restore the computer in the event of a fatal error, I would recommend a registry mechanic program and even a spybot program.

Let me give you some links then I'll follow up:

Highly trusted Registry Mechanic:
http://www.download.com/Registry-Mechanic/3000-2094_4-10349249.html

IMHO: Best Spybot Killer and system protection:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-4-2

If you think you can take this task on, follow through the instructions with Registry Mechanic, it will make life simpler.

Then install Spybot Search and Destroy and let it work its magic.

Make sure you have everything important backed up and above all else,

GOOD LUCK.

Answer 4

You are not deleting files using REGEDIT.

If your friend was suggesting deleting entries under

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

to get your PC to boot faster then that's ok. Many of these entries.

Be very careful what you delete in the registry as your PC may not boot. There are options for creating a safe.

Under System on the System Restore Tab you can create a backup point in case you damage the registry.

Answer 5

Registry editor is a tricky part of your computer. I am very good with computers and will not go near my registry. Delete the wrong thing and poof there goes a program or yes even your operating system. Do yourself a favor and bring it to a computer repair shop if you are just a novice and let them do the editing for you.

Answer 6

If you don't know what you are doing, don't mess with the registry. It is an ugly mess in there and it can really screw up your computer. I deleted some stuff and I lost everything in my start menu. When I rebooted the computer, it wouldn't load.

Answer 7

deleting things in the registry can really ruin your computer if you do not know exactly what you are doing. If it isint broke don't fix it.

Answer 8

better to use CCleaner, it want screw up your registry download it FREE, the program is FREE
it is also sometimes called crap cleaner!