Comprehensive Windows XP install repair utility?

[Massive Quasars]

Could I get some recommendations? I'm looking for a program that will undo some of the OS degradation due to everyday use and abuse?

I don't expect fresh install results, but a fix issues that aren't necessarily performance related (read: not a disk utility or a sophisticated defrag program).

Thanks.

[hate]

it's in the setup

(R) for repair...

overwrites os..best way...

[AmIdYfReAk]

Actually, the First R brings you to the recovery console..

you press enter, then F8 and then it will list the XP install ( C: ) then press R, and as hate says.. it will erase and re-write windows..

it may also render a few apps useless, And drivers as well.. minor clean up

[Massive Quasars]

I don't have the install disc with me here. Third party suggestions preferred, thanks.

[AmIdYfReAk]

i cant think of anything unless system restore is enabled and can go WAYYY back.

[creep]

I'm not really clear on what you want to clear up... what Windows degradation isn't performance related?

If files have become corrupt, your only avenue is restoring them fron an install CD and then reapplying updates. You could also try uninstalling/reinstalling all updates, but that wouldn't guarantee you catch every problem file.

Beyond that... maybe you just want to clean out excess files that are no longer needed... stuff put there by old apps, etc? In that case I'm not really sure... but there's probably software that will examine registry and dll's and look for unused stuff (I just don't know where/what this software is). Afterwards you'd want to defrag, which is a step you mentioned not being interested in.

[Captain]

What creep probably means is Registry Mechanic. Trial version will scan only and not repair anything. But trials are easy...scared?

And yes, it's completely safe and effective.

[Massive Quasars]

Yes Mazda is on the right track, a registry utility would serve to satisfy part of my request. I have a third part defrag program... the degradation I'm referring to are little errors here and there, programs crashing, explorer.exe issues, etc.

[Survivor]

tuneup utilities 2007 trial. Does everything you want

[Massive Quasars]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

[hate]

a bandaid approach...

once windows becomes flaky

fdisk..

[§ìgñå]

you could always try restoring the repair registry from when xp was first installed. that gives you a fresh registry thats not all filled up with crap.

just google 'xp hive'

http://web.mit.edu/ist/products/winxp/a ... ption.html

[Penguin]

http://www.ccleaner.com/

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!

[Massive Quasars]

Thanks guys.

I went with Sanction's suggestion, and while I think it's helped a fair bit, OS issues still present themselves. I'll look into these more recent posts.

[Massive Quasars]

One notable problem I still have is that Windows XP won't update anymore. The update icon shows up in the taskbar, and when I try to go through the update process it never progresses and so all I can do is minimize it back to the taskbar again.

[Foo]

locate a disk. The license is what makes your copy legit, not the media. Burning a copy of Xp for a friend is legit if he's using his own key.

The reason you're not finding an ideal app for this is because the xp cd IS the ideal app so theres little reason for anyone to reinvent the wheel.

[Foo]

BTW little errors 'here and there' is not degredation. Something on your PC is fucked. XP doesn't 'degrade' over time. The usual way this occurs is if you install a lot of junk software and if you do, fudging cleanup operations and defrags and tweaks and all that stuff is just making a bigger mess... may as well back up your documents and refresh the machine entirely.

[Massive Quasars]

Foo, consider degradation a nice way of putting user-end fuckups over time. I do have a legit cd key for this Home version, I'll consider doing a clean install or a standard repair over Christmas but not now.

It appears as though my update feature is working momentarily, I'll see how that turns out after a reboot.

Once again, ty.

[Massive Quasars]

Uninstalled about 20 programs, defragged and optimized registry, defragged HDD, optimized a few other settings, managed to fully update Windows XP.

System is now more stable, responds better, appreciably improved.