You have too many changes

[Fred Wright]

Ok, kids (yeah, kids ... I'm over 50). I've been running/using personal computers since CPM days, so I'm guessing I've got a few of you beat in the "I've been using these for a long time" game. I even used to tech early DOS PCs. Tralalala. Here's what I know. XP and it's registry sux wads. Well, actually, I'll blame that on the programmers who decided that they couldn't bother to *uninstall* all the crud they load into the registry.

I maintain my system with everything suggested above, run Firefox, Adware, regularly defrag, etc. ... and *still* my system has become SO bogged down it's ridiculous.

Bottom line here is ... I'll be reformatting here shortly. I'll let you know how it goes, Cat. (And is there a number I can call at 3am, when I'm pulling out my hair?)

Ladee

Hi: I tried to clean my drive on my windows xp and got an info screen drop down that said (I paraphrase here "You have too many changes and upgrades to make a routine clean disc drive" In other words, go and buy a new Windows XP disc (at WalMart for 95 bux)..any comments? PS I'm older than you by a wide margin (72yrs) but still a 3 yr rookie on computers..I have a son with a degree in computer science, but he's currently not talking to me..thanx for listening Fred Wright

[Catweazle]

Hi Fred.

What are you using to 'clean' Windows? That's an error message I've not encountered before, and I suspect that you may be using an installed program to do the cleanup job rather than the built-in Windows utilities.

In any event, that message is simply telling you that your Windows installation is in a mess and that you may be well advised to format the system and install Windows and your programs again. It is not saying that you need to buy another copy of Windows, simply that you need to use your existing one to start off again fresh and clean.

Your Windows CD can be used as many times as you like to wipe the hard drive clean and install Windows on it. You'll find help with the procedure in the 'Tips and Tweaks' topic that your question was split from.

[Fred Wright]

HI* I was using the furnished Windows XP cd that came with the machine that came 4/2002. I've used it about 2x..The last time is when I tried to wipe the drive clean is when I got the msg. Yeh< I do play around and download a bunch of stuff and then find they don't provide any legimate uninstall program so I know there is a lot of crap on my puter which I can clean out re a re-install. but lately, since I dl Windows sp2 (this took a looong time as I had dial up at the time) I wonder about doing it again. Yes, I do run 1. Zone Alarm Pro 2. Lavasoft, and I did run SpyBot; but recently got annoyed with it as when I went to uninstall it sure enough it was "missing" that file...how shameful of these outfits..I wrote an email to "SpyBot.com" and got a reply from one of their former vendors that they no longer did biz with the for accumulated issues; so pleass don recomment them to others!! Now any advice??

B