Registry Editing with Caution

This is a disclaimer post for anybody attempting to edit the registry and how you can be safe doing so. If you are inexperienced at changing the registry or changing massive things, it is recommended that you back up the registry. Backing up the registry is synonymous with creating a restore point in Windows. This is the info about creating and using restore points from Microsoft.

Backing up the Registry

1. Click Start, type systempropertiesprotection in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. Wait for Windows to search for available disks and most recent restore points. In the System Properties dialog box, on the System Protection tab, click Create,
3. Type a name for the restore point and then click Create.
4. After the restore point has been created successfully, click OK two times.

Restoring the Registry

1. Click Start, type systempropertiesprotection in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. In the System Properties dialog box, on the System Protection tab, click System Restore,
3. In the System Restore dialog box select Choose a different restore point, and then click Next
4. Select the restore point that you want to use, and then click Next.
5. Confirm your restore point, and then click Finish System restore restores the selected Windows Vista configuration and then restarts the computer.
6. Log on to the computer. When the System Restore confirmation page appears, click OK.

Credit: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

Random Other Context Menu Issues

My Experience:
I'm trying to clean up my right click menu in Windows Explorer (aka the context menu), and these are a few other ones that I wanted to remove that have options within the programs they originate from.


The Cause:
Pesky settings within programs.


The Fix:
WinRAR

1. Open WinRAR
2. Go to Options > Settings
3. Go to the last tab Integration
4. In the small box called Shell Integration there are options whether to include it at all, or make more specific settings by clicking "Context Menu Items..."

Microsoft Expression Media

1. Type "regedit" in the start menu and press enter.
2. Navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\" and delete SimpleShlExt
3. Navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\" and delete SimpleShlExt

Other
If you're looking for a solution to removing something from the context menu, first check all of the options within the program that it is coming from. If you can find nothing, look at my other post about Groove and try to look for it in one of the registry folders mentioned.


My Results:
No more annoying WinRAR buttons!

Microsoft Office "Groove Folder Syncronation"

My Experience:
In my crusade to rid my right click context menu within Windows Explorer of all extra options, I want to get rid of the even more annoying option that reads "Groove Folder Synchronization" and has an annoying little green blurb next to it.


The Cause:
The program causes the registry to be edited.


The Fix:
This fix requires editing the registry and should be done with caution.

1. Type "regedit" in the start menu search box and hit enter.
2. Navigate to the following directories and delete "XXX Groove GFS Context Menu Handler XXX"

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\
• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\

And your problem will be fixed!


My Results:
Haven't seen the thing since and no adverse effects.

Removing McAfee Security Center "Scan"

My Experience:
McAfee Security Center made this terrible little "Scan" option that appears when you right click pretty much anything in Window Explorer. This shortcut in the context menu is just another annoying thing to pass when trying to get to something I want to use, since I scan all of my files on a schedule. I wanted it to be gone once and for all, but couldn't find a simple option within the program.


The Cause:
The virus scan program puts a few pesky little registry keys in your registry in order for these to show up.


The Fix:
This fix requires editing the registry and should be done with caution.

1. Type "regedit" in your start menu search box and press enter.
2. Navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\" and delete the folder called McCtxMenu
3. Navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\" and delete the folder called McCtxMenu
4. Exit the registry editor and you're done!

My Results:
No more annoying Scan button and no adverse effects!

Event ID 4100 :: Windows Backup

My Problem:
I was unable to back up my C drive onto my external hard drive by using the windows backup and restore system. I received the following error, and this is what was found in the Event Viewer:

Source: Windows Backup
Event ID: 4100

File backup failed because a shadow copy could not be created. The system might be low on resources. The error is: The writer experienced a transient error. If the backup process is retried, the error may not reoccur. (0x800423F3).

The Cause:
There are multiple causes for this error,


The Fix [note that this issue has several causes and several solutions]:

• Turn off the automatic backup before doing a manual update.
• Disable the back up service by typing services in the start menu and changing the "Windows Backup" service from being automatic and also stopping it.
• Delete all previous backups and shadow copies by...

My Results:
I had automatic backup disabled and cleared

Event ID 73, 75 :: Print Spooler / Cannot Install Print or Scan Device

My Experience:
I was getting constant Print Spooler Errors from my printer (Espon Stylus C88+) which was functional, since I had installed the printer prior to experiencing the error.

Source: Print Spooler
Event ID 73

The print spooler failed to verify printer driver package Microsoft XPS Document Writer for environment Windows NT x86. Win32 system error code 2 (0x2). This can occur after an operating system upgrade or because of data loss on the hard drive. The print spooler will try to regenerate the driver information from the driver store, which is where drivers are saved before they are installed. No user action is required.

Source: Print Spooler
Event ID 75

The print spooler failed to regenerate the printer driver information for driver Epson Stylus C88 Series (M) for environment Windows NT x86. Win32 system error code 1797 (0x705). This can occur after an operating system upgrade or because of data loss on the hard drive.
OR
The print spooler failed to regenerate the printer driver information for driver Microsoft XPS Document Writer for environment Windows NT x86. Win32 system error code 1797 (0x705). This can occur after an operating system upgrade or because of data loss on the hard drive.
OR
The print spooler failed to regenerate the printer driver information for driver [printing device] for environment Windows NT x86. Win32 system error code 1797 (0x705). This can occur after an operating system upgrade or because of data loss on the hard drive.


The Cause:
I was one of many who regret listening to another blog's advice about clearing disk space on your hard drive. I deleted the FileRespository folder which contains many of the drivers and files necessary to get "older" devices to work.

The Fix:
I am lucky enough to have two systems with the same OS, so I was able to copy all of the files I needed exactly from my laptop to my desktop. I understand that many people won't have that advantage. The best choice if you do have access to another computer with the same operating system is to copy the files located in "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository" from that computer to the one experiencing issues. Or you can just copy the specific ones you need, butyou may experience issues down the road.

If you do NOT have an extra computer on hand with the same OS, you could probably use your Vista DVD to restore the files that were missing. I hope you can do it without reinstalling the OS completely. I couldn't find any when I was searching, but you could probably find copies of the folders in that

My Results:
I recieve no more Print Spooler Errors.

Logitech MX400

My Experience:
I recently bought a Logitech MX400 mouse for the joy of having a back button for the internet. I soon discovered that the scrolling function of the mouse is slightly buggy with the 4 way scrolling or side scrolling. I used the mouse to scroll and when I started typing, it was displaying the characters almost backwards. In reality, it was as if the mouse was a perpetual right arrow being pressed on the keyboard. Obviously, typing backwards can't be tolerated, or restarting your machine every time it happens. But don't throw out your good looking new mouse so soon!

The Cause:
It tends to happen to me when I press both down and to the right side simultaneously or quickly after one another. I've never had it happen with the left side, but I suspect it could. It's faulty hardware in the first place to make it so wobbly from side to side.

The Fix:
In my case of perpetual right movement of the cursor, the solution is simply to move it to the right side like you're side scrolling and release it. To prevent it from happening as often in teh future and to scroll the right direction when you wnat to scroll, you should click the scroll wheel from the top towards you. In other words, you should place your finger on the part of the wheel closest to your monitor and push back towards you. It's much easier to keep it from moving side to side when doing that rather than clicking on the middle of the scroll wheel.

My Results:
Every once in a while I get lazy and accidentally get it into backwards typing mode, but at least I know how to fix it now.

Event ID 9 :: iaStorv

My Experience:
I experienced sessions of lag or pauses on my computer following this error. After looking in my event log I found 2,434 instances of this error.

Source: iaStorV
Event ID: 9

The device, \Device\Ide\iaStor0, did not respond within the timeout period.


The Cause:
It appears to be connected to Intel RAID or Philips DVDRW drives.


The Fix:
Some people recommend switching the SATA cables if you are using a desktop, but another simpler solution is to alter the registry. (and as always use caution when altering the registry)

1. Click the Start Button in Vista and type "regedit" then hit enter.
2. Click OK on the UAC prompt if enabled.
3. Navigate through the folders to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\
4. Find the iaStorV folder and delete the folder within called "Parameter"
5. Find the iaStor folder and delete the folder within called "Parameter"
6. Restart your computer

My Results:
After using this fix, there are no longer random pauses or lag. There have not been any more Event 9's in my Event Log, and no adverse effects on my cd drive or in general.

About Window Cleaner

Window Cleaner was created on April 19th, 2009 to help people who have issues with the current Microsoft Windows operating system, Vista. Vista is notorious for having bugs and issues that prevent simple usage, and has many people mad at Microsoft. My purpose in this blog is to make my best effort for you to reclaim your computer and see clearly through Windows operating systems to the beauty inside. After all, Microsoft still is the leader of OS's, they didn't screw everything up. I hope to give you concise and simple solutions to your technology nightmares.


On another note, you may be wondering who the person is behind this. I'm just a simple college student, starting the journey of studying Computer Science at the University of Texas. One of my past times when I'm really bored and have nowhere else to turn is to try to make my computer perform at the best of it's ability. And if I'm already spending my time researching the issues that have arisen on my machine, why not help others too?

All of my knowledge comes from personal experience and other sources online. Many people probably have the same issues and are looking for the solution without spending days or weeks googling and researching the cause and solution. I just hope my solutions get to you soon! Go googlebots go!

Current Laptop Specs

[Dell Studio 17]

Current Desktop Specs

[Based on a Dell Dimension E520]

Processor: Intel Core II 6400 @ 2.13GHz
Motherboard:
Memory: 2GB
OS: Vista Home Premium 32-bit
Graphics Card: Radeon HD 4830 (Powercolor)
Power Supply: Corsair 650TX
Monitor: ViewSonic VA721
Mouse: Logitech MX400
Keyboard: Dynex Multimedia Keyboard
Printer: Espon Stylus C88+