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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2005-10-10

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

1) Testing "Registry Cleaning" Software

The Windows Registry is "The configuration database in all 32-bit versions of Windows that contains settings for the hardware and software in the PC it is installed in" ( http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml;?term=registry ). That's actually a pretty good thumbnail description. The Wikipedia has a somewhat more detailed definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_registry  , which starts this way:

In computing, the windows registry is a database which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, software, users, and preferences of the PC. Whenever a user makes changes to "Control Panel" settings, or file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry....

In all versions of Windows, the Registry can accumulate obsolete and nonfunctioning entries. Older versions of Windows, in particular, were notorious for this, often ending up with Registries containing huge numbers of erroneous entries. This slowed computer operations; and could even lead to crashes.

This led to the creation of a number of third-party software utilities that purported to "clean" the Registry, finding and eliminating the extraneous, useless, or just plain bogus data stored there.

Even Microsoft itself eventually got into the act, producing a small, unofficial, unsupported tool called Regclean for the Win9x family of operating systems. Microsoft made several half-hearted attempts at improving Regclean over several years, but Windows ME was then in the works, and its registry was different enough from the earlier Win9x family to require that Registry tools work differently; and Windows NT/2000/XP required wholly different software. Because of this Microsoft quietly abandoned Regclean; never having officially released it as a supported product. (It's still around on various non-Microsoft web sites, however http://www.google.com/search?q=regclean+microsoft .)

Today, third-party Registry cleaning tools abound, filling the gap that Microsoft left. And that's a good thing, because even though XP is much harder to crash than was Windows 9x, it still can benefit from regular Registry cleaning.

For example, when you upgrade a PC from Win98 to XP, the new OS will carry along a boatload of Registry settings from the old setup, just in case they might be needed. While this helps ensure that the new setup will work, it also virtually guarantees that the new setup carries excess baggage from Day One.

Non-upgraded systems also can accumulate some unnecessary Registry bloat, too, especially as hardware is added or removed, and software is installed, uninstalled, and upgraded. The more dynamic your system use, the more likely that your Registry will eventually accumulate a nontrivial number of obsolete or otherwise bogus entries.

A brief aside to prove the point: On a recent "House Call" ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-10-06.htm#1 ), an on-site PC-diagnostic and repair session at a reader's place of business or home office, one reader had upgraded a major-brand PC from Win98 to XP. This reader had above-average PC skills, and had regularly backed up his system, defragged, and otherwise maintained it, including running Norton's "WinDoctor" and ToniArt's "EasyCleaner" to help maintain the registry. Despite all that, we found and were able to remove some 3,000 additional bogus entries in his Registry. That, and some other maintenance steps we took, cut his PC's boot times in half, and made the system perceptibly faster and more stable. Imagine: Even after using two Registry-cleaning tools, he still had some 3,000 needless entries bloating his Registry and bogging down his system!

Why was there such huge variability in what different tools would find and remove? I decided to try a series of controlled tests on one of my own real-life, normal-use PCs here, letting 10 different Registry-cleaning tools take their best shot. Some of the tools were free, others commercial. The results: Some tools found as few as 39 Registry errors, while others, looking at *exactly the same setup*, found 800! What's more, some "cleaning" tools actually *added* errors to the Registry--- the more I ran the tool, the more errors it introduced! That's nuts!

Clearly, not all Registry cleaners are created equal; and there's some real junk software out there--- which some users are paying good money for!

I name names, and tell you the good, the bad, and the mediocre among the 10 Registry cleaners I tested in the writeup posted now, free, at http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=171203805 .

Everyone can benefit from regular use of a Registry cleaner--- but let me help you avoid the bad ones so you won't end up in worse shape than when you started!

Click on over to
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=171203805 !

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2) ZAP 6's "Default Deny" Setting

Fred - Re your comment in "ZoneAlarm: Not Out Of The Woods Yet" ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-09-29.htm#5 ) in the excellent LangaList Plus newsletter concerning "the long "teaching" period where you have to train ZA's "OS firewall" to allow even routine actions by utterly benign software:"  Isn't Zone Alarm in this instance attempting to avoid a couple of the "six dumbest ideas in computer security," as referenced in http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-09-29.htm#2 of the same Plus newsletter? '

I.e., ZA seems to be implementing "default deny" instead of (dumb) "default permit," and "enumerating goodness" rather than trying to "enumerate badness."

Just a thought. BTW, I've upgraded to ZA Pro version 6.0.667.000 with minimal problems on my  XP Pro/SP2 system. Very best, Jim Shipp

Yes, Jim, and default-deny does makes sense within the general class of what we might call "likely threats." But some things are almost never threats, and including them in the default-deny list just makes things needlessly complex. Example: MS Word calling Norton Antivirus to scan a newly-opened document. Why on earth would that be included as an all-capital "DANGEROUS ACTIVITY!"

ZA might as well have a warning prompt: "ONES AND ZEROS DETECTED! Shall we allow your PC to continue using software?" <g>

Or, to use an analogy from the non-computer world: Smoke detectors save lives. They're marvelous, even essential safety devices. But the ones that go off too often--- that give a false alarm every time you make toast, for example--- cause people either to ignore the alarm, or (worse) to disable it.

When you first install it, ZoneAlarm Pro 6x is like a smoke detector that goes off with every piece of toast. <g>

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3) Another ZA issue (Not Just Ver.6)

Fred: Some of your readers may not be aware that Zone Alarm stores this item, 'tvdebug.log' on users computers. It can grow forever, unless it's deleted frequently. You have to close Z/A down to do this. Of course it's reinstalled when Z/A is next run. A quick scan re this on Google, would seem to indicate that Z/A is deaf and blind to this problem. ---Gary Ireland

Thanks, Gary. We covered that a long time ago, but many current readers probably haven't seen "Deleting 'Internet Logs'" ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-10-20.htm#5 ).

ZA also locks the log, making it harder to delete than otherwise. You can do it manually from the Recovery Console (see http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=%22recovery+console%22&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000 ) or by using any of the techniques and tools discussed here:

http://aumha.org/a/stubborn.php
http://www.google.com/search?q=delete+stubborn+files

GiPo's "MoveOnBoot" is especially easy to use. You can get an older (but fully functional) free version, or buy a newer version as part of a utility suite. Both are available here: http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/

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--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---

"Dear Fred, Thank you so much for the wonderful Plus! newsletter. I would
certainly subscribe at twice the price. I have received so many helpful
hints, tail rescuing solutions, grins, and darned good advice over the
last year that I certainly count the Langa List Plus! as one of the best
bargains in computerdom. I really look forward to each Langa List and
when it arrives, it is the first thing that I look at. Keep up the good
work and thank you! Sincerely, Janyth Pashin"

Thanks, Janyth. At only about a $1 per month,
I try to make the Plus! edition a good value for everyone! <g>

The LangaList Plus! Edition is ad-free, spam-proof,
and contains even more content--- tips, tricks, advice, downloads....---
than the Standard Edition you're now reading.

Get all the details:
http://langa.com/plus.htm

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4) More On File/Photo/Video Sharing

Our previous discussion on free and low-cost ways to share even huge files such as photo collections, video clips, etc. (see "New Kinds Of Image-Sharing Services" http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=171000882 ) is still generating some good email and reader tips:

Dear Fred, I have a friend who uses this resource for pictures. It is a Yahoo company and it seems pretty clear of excessive or questionable advertising. http://flickr.com/ Respectfully, Richard
 
Hi Fred, I saw the file hosting piece you did and would like to add a great Large free file host that will host files up to 1 gig for 7-10 days with no nonsense no adds or anything else You don't have to register or even put in a email address if you don't want to. It's http://www.yousendit.com/   I've used them to share 800Mb videos of mine with friends. ---GSXR Hawaii

Fred: I think you missed one of the best: http://imageshack.us/  free forever... free registration. only charge I have seen is for ftp image upload. allows direct linking in fact gives you a list of code to use for most of the ways you would want to link. --chris nelson

Thanks to all who wrote in!

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5) Answers To Emails?

Hi Fred - You must get a ton of email. You also seem to be an extraordinarily well organised individual. So was wondering what qualifies emails for a response? Thanks. ---Raphael Altman

Well, your first sentence hit on it, Raphael: So far this year, for example, I've gotten 3,127,934 email messages delivered to my various inboxes. (That's an exact, up to the minute count, and yes, it's accurate--- over three million emails!) A lot of that is spam; a lot is subscriber email relating to subscriptions, renewals, address changes and the like; and the rest is reader queries and suggestions.

Believe it or not, I try to read *all* the reader queries and suggestions. I answer what I can both privately and in the newsletter, but usually have to go very, very fast and get to answer only a small percentage: If I even stopped to write a one-line reply to each mail, I'd never finish, as new mail would come in faster than I could process it. But I do try to at least read each and every reader query and suggestion--- hey, your mails are the lifeblood of this newsletter, and I learn a lot from you! And again, I answer all that I can.

What gets selected for inclusion in the newsletter? Usually, it's stuff that's applicable to a wide slice of the readership; that's topical (eg touching on a subject we've been covering or that's emerging as an important issue); that hasn't already been done to death in past issues; and that I can answer in the space and time available. And yes, sometimes I choose offbeat, funny or strange items for fun or as a "wow" kind of thing--- raisins in the oatmeal, as it were. <g>

By all means, please keep those letters coming! I'll reply to you, privately or in the newsletter, if it's humanly possible to do so. And even if I can't answer directly, I *will* read your note and learn from it what's important to you, and what problems you're facing with your hardware or software--- which in turn helps me know what's important to include in the newsletter!

Again: Your emails are the lifeblood of this newsletter, and I love hearing from you!

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6) It's A New Month...

...and right now your chances are the best they'll ever be! To have a shot at winning one of three FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the LangaList Plus! edition I give away each month, just use the following link to recommend the LangaList. (If your name is drawn and you're already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be extended by a full year.)

Check out the details at http://langa.com/recommend.htm . Thanks for recommending the LangaList--- and good luck!

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7) Tips For Dial-Up Users On XP

Hello Fred: After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, finally went to XP.

My guru was right-it does some things better than 9x and other things not as good.

The transition was only possible because of XPlite,TweakXP and TweakUI for XP.If it still had the bunnies,balloons and puppy dogs,would still be on 9x...

Attached is a text file that may be useful for other poor slobs stuck on dialup...has info on how to set up xp so it will autodial and auto-disconnect a'la 9x.

Thanks for your great newsletter- regards...ron smith

How to apply 9x Dialup to XP:

1.Go to settings,control panel. Administrative Tools, Services Shortcut.
2.Scroll down to Net Logon. Right click Properties, Set to Automatic.
3.Do likewise for Network Connections, Remote Access Auto Connection Manager and
Remote Access Connection Manager.
4.Return to Settings. Select Network Connections. Click Advanced -at the Top- Click Dialup Preferences. -Make sure "Always ask..." and "Disable autodial..." at the bottom are unchecked.

Addendum: This will restore the "dialing" box for Firefox or any other apps, also enable Auto Disconnect for the IE stuff. In other words, just like 9x.

1.Go to Control Panel,Internet Options
2.Connections,Settings,
3.Properties,Options.
4.Under "Dialing Options",check the first one "Display progress while dialing" and the third one, "Include Windows Logon Domain".

Thanks, Ron. I have to admit my Dial-Up skills have gotten rusty; I'm glad you're able to step up to the plate in my stead, in this instance. <g>

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8) More Reader Sites!

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the hundreds and hundreds of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites---some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site From Among All Listed
http://langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://langa.com/readersites.htm

VeggieTales
http://www.vids4kids.com/site/1493297/page/45029

Oklahoma Prairie Country
http://www.okprairie.com/

Horse Supplies and Western Decor
http://wiltranch.com/

'What Should I Pay?' [UK]
http://www.whatshouldipay.co.uk/

Firesign Theater Fans
http://www.chromiumswitch.org/

Online Encrypt/Decrypt
http://www.main-ridge.com/cc/

Business Network International
http://www.olneybni.net/index.html

"Cheapshareware"
http://tinyurl.com/abb7r

Southwest & Mexican Antiques
http://colonialspanish.homestead.com/Index.html

JurisRx
http://www.jurisrx.com/links/index.htm

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9) "Spinning Down" A Hard Drive

hi fred - re Reducing Hard Drive Wear ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-08-01.htm#2 ), thanks for this item which gave me a little more understanding of the physicalities of the hard drive. one question, please: how do you 'spin down'?? (i have windows 98.) an answer or a link to an answer would be appreciated - thanks. raphael altman, england

All current versions of Windows, includingWin98, can "spin down" (that is, temporarily stop or shut off) a hard drive when it's not immediately needed, to save energy and to reduce wear and tear. But older hardware sometimes needs a little human intervention before it works right.

In Win98, click to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Power Management, and look for the "Turn Off Hard Disks" check box. If it's not grayed out, then Win98 thinks it can manage the disks by itself; select whatever time setting you wish, and go from there.

In XP, it's Start/Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/Power Options.

If the above doesn't work, your PC's low-level hardware may be trying to manage power-savings on its own. This was a common source of trouble with older systems, where the operating system and the hardware itself both might try to take the lead in controlling the power-savings settings: It was rarely a graceful dance, and they'd often step on each other's toes. <g>

The solution, usually available in all but the most ancient PCs, is to enter the BIOS settings ( http://www.google.com/search?q=enter+access+BIOS ) and find the "Power"  or "Power Savings" settings (the wording may vary). If you're using Win98 or any more recent OS, tell the BIOS *not* to manage the power settings; instead, let the OS do it for you. On the other hand, if you're using DOS or any primitive OS that doesn't have built-in power-management capabilities, then let the BIOS manage the power savings.

Once *one*controlling entity--- either the BIOS or the OS, but not both--- is in charge of power management, things usually work as they should.

More info on "spin downs:"
http://www.google.com/search?q=spin+down+hard+drive

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10) Just For Grins

http://www.bbspot.com/News/2005/09/microsoft_box_set.html
The last line in the piece is a hoot! ~marilyn

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 40% more content including:

• Loooooong Path Shortcut
     (simplify "save" and "save as...")
• Auto-Changing "Sig" For Online/BBS Posts
     (keep your online posts fresh)
• Bluetooth Dentistry #1
     (solving common problems with Bluetooth)
• Bluetooth Dentistry #2
     (Bluetooth and XP SP2)

DID YOU KNOW--- that Plus! subscribers have access to additional special features, extra content and links on a private web site? All that, plus 30% more content in every issue, for only about $1 a month!

Plus! Edition info: http://langa.com/plus.htm

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(Give a gift subscription to the LangaList Plus edition!
Click <a href= " http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)

The LangaList is published about 72 times a year, or about 6 times a month. See you next issue, 2005-10-10!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

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