I'm using windows 98se and I'm a beginner and dn't know anything about editing or fixing problems that may or may not be in my registry. I'm looking for a program that will scan my registry and fix anything that may be wrong in it. Things that are left in my registry that are not needed. Is there a program that can do this so I don't mess up my computer? I need a good free program if possible.

Thanks

RegClean used to be good, although I'm not sure if its still around.

Thanks for your answer I'll see if I can find it.

Here is something I saved (sorry, I did not save the author, but it is not I) and use on my W98SE:
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Here are some Regular Maintenance steps for 98/98SE.

Registry Repair should be done maybe every month.
To Repair the Registery:
Turn off the computer; or reboot; then immediately press F8, (or, could be F5) located on top of the keyboard. Keep it press down until an options window comes up, then release it.
(If F8 or F5 doesn't work, then re-boot, and immediately press down the CTRL key, hold down until it comes up to the options screen).
Use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select "Command Prompt Only".
Press Enter
You will now see C:>
Type in SCANREG /FIX (there is a space between the G and the / ).
You will now see C:>SCANREG /FIX
Press Enter
This will take about 5 minutes or so.
when finished, press Enter for OK.
Manually, turn off the computer, wait a few seconds, the turn it back on.
If you don't have the "Command Prompt Only" option, then re-boot the computer normally.
Go to Start/ShutDown, then choose "restart in ms-dos mode".
It will come up to C:\windows.
Type in CD C:\
It will look like C:>windows CD C:\
Press Enter.
It will then be at the C:> prompt.
Then type in SCANREG /FIX
Press Enter
When it returns to the C:> prompt, then manually turn off the computer, and turn it back on.

Win98/98SE Regular Maintenance
All Three of these should be run every 2 to 3 weeks. They will keep the Win98/98SE operating system
running smoother and help in not corrupting operating system files as fast.

1. Scandisk
Start in Safe Mode by:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter
After it boots to Safe Mode, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools, and click on Scandisk.
(It is faster if set on "Standard", the "Thorough" usually is not needed and takes a long, long time).
Click on "Start" and let it run until finished.

2. Defrag
When Scandisk is finished, click on "Close".
Now, go back to the same place, but this time, click on "Defrag".
Click on OK, and wait until it finishes (might take 1 hour if not done within a month).
After it finishes, Click on OK or whatever.
Then, re-boot.

3. System File Checker
Restart the computer in Safe Mode, as above.
Go to Start/Run, then type in SFC, and click on OK
This opens the System File Checker window.
Click on "Start". This will scan for altered or corrupt files.
If it finds one, it will stop running and ask you what to do.
Put a check mark by "Restore", and click OK.
Most of the files will come from C:\Cabs.
So, click on the "Browse", and select C:\Cabs.
Click on OK.
Continue until it finishes.

Virtual Memory Settings:
For Win98SE:
Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel.
Double click on "System".
Click on the "Performance" tab.
Click on "Virtual Memory" (at the bottom right).
Put a check mark by "Let me specify my own virtual memory settings".
By "minimum", type in 1/2 of your RAM number. For example, if you have 128 MG RAM, type in 64.
By "maximum", type in twice your RAM number, like 256.
Then, click OK or Yes. Windows will tell you to NOT do this, but do it anyway.
Then, reboot your computer.

What all this does is this:
When windows manages the virtual memory itself, it uses the entire hard drive for a swap file; meaning every time it opens an application, it stores it all along the entire harddrive; making it slower to find all the "parts" needed.
By specifying your own virtual memory settings, you are telling windows to only use PART of the hard drive for memory. Then, it has much less space to search for files; making the computer a little faster.

Thank you very much for your instructions redfin. Sorry it took so long to tell you thanks. I appreciate your advice.
Kat.

A great free program that not only cleans your registry, deletes unnecessary files, shortcuts, temporary internet files, cookies and history, shows disk usage, and much more is Easy Cleaner. It is very user friendly! There are many sites that sell the program but the developer has a free site:

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm

I have used it for months and found it to work as well as any program available for $$$. Hope this helps.

I like Ultra WinCleaner. It is a very simple program to use and can be run exclusively from the CD without ever installing it on your PC. It has an excellent registry cleaner included that I absolutely love!

Hi,
Thank you, Redfin, for using my Maintenance Steps... they work very well.
Here are 2 sites for great registry cleaners:

Registry Cleaner
http://www.vb-build.com/
Reg Cleaner is very simple to use; helps find unneeded items in the registry which the first cleaner might have missed.

Low cost Registry Cleaner:
RegSupreme Professional:
http://www.jv16.org/

I use them both. The one at jv16.org is now about 17 dollars US.
I got it when it was still free... but would gladly pay the money... it's great.

Best wishes,
fredg

For Spyware protection and general help cleaning up the computer and registry I recommend, the following files, as I have found 1 or even 2 is not always enough as 1 may find something the others do not.

Spyware
Microsoft New SPyware program-Formerly Giant spyware, they bought it out.
Spysweeper
Spybot search and destroy
Adware SE
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
Spyhunter

I would suggest at the very least 3 or more of the above programs.

Registry and Fix and Repair programs
Fix it Utilities 5
Advanced System Optimizer
Ace Utilities
System Mechanic 5

Any 2 or more of these.

And Google toolbar with built in pop up stopper for your browser is good.

And a good solid Anti Virus Program or 2, updated weekly.

A good defragging Program or 2
Diskeeper Lite
Perfect Disk.

Also use the below website, that tests and reviews some for the best programs out for many different things, they give you side by side comparisons and rate each one in many categories.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/

Here I have a good recommend for you: Tuneup360 and Norton system work, but the latter one is a little bit difficult. For the beginners, Tuneup360 is a good choice.

This thread is almost 7yrs old!