Tom AZ

You are right, I have asked about this before -- and unfortunately, it's still not resolved. I have tried to eliminate things along the way and I'm quite sure it's not a memory problem or a graphics card problem. About Dial-A-Fix . . . do you suggest just checking all of the options and let it do its thing? Also, in answer to your question, yes, a while back I did post a HijackThis log, but quite honestly, I don't remember if it was for this issue or if it was for a possible spyware issue.

Thanks, rridgely, for suggesting Dial-A-Fix. I have never used this, but I'll take a look at it. I assume it's fairly straight forward and fairly safe to use. Is there anything in this program I should NOT use? In response to your question, I intentionally avoided being too specific because it's a little hard to describe -- but, yes, I am being forced to reboot. Basically, what happens is that everything runs just fine -- then very abruptly (at least once a day) the overall responsiveness deteriorates significantly -- everything becomes very very slow (switching screens, loading programs, etc.) -- then I notice that some of my screen graphics aren't filling completely -- and that's about the end -- it just freezes and I have to reboot. Once I reboot, everything is wonderful again until the next time. To put it another way, it just seems like something gets all "clogged" up -- that my computer just can't deal with any more stuff (whatever "any more stuff" is??) -- and the reboot just cleans it out.

This is probably an unreasonable request, but I'll ask anyway. I'm having some issues with my Windows XP (Home) machine which necessitates very frequent re-boots. I was wondering if someone with a pretty smooth running XP computer could share their "Services" settings. I'd like to know which are set on Automatic, which are Manual and which are Disabled. As I said . . . probably a lot to ask (and I know there are variables from machine to machine), but this list of settings might be very helpful. Thanks in advance to anyone who has the time to wade into this.

Very interesting! I don't really know the answer to your question, but I'm anxious to see the response of others. On a somewhat different (but related) note, what really happens during a registry cleaning process? Are old and obsolete entries simply removed (deleted) -- or are "repairs" to damaged and/or incorrect entries made -- or both?

Actually, I was thinking more about Desktop and folder items than websites. But in either case, they can be annoying. I was hoping for a little more flexibility other than simply "enable" or "disable." Thought maybe there would be some settings to adjust sensitivity or display time -- or something like that. However, I may just try disabling for a while -- although at times, they are handy. Guess you can't have it both ways .

Is there any way to modify the properties or behavior characteristics of Flyover Popups? -- those small little popup windows that appear as your mouse passes over an icon, a file name or a link -- then disappears when you move away from it.

Haven't tried Safe Mode -- I'll give it a shot.

Problem solved -- ephclean.exe now installed -- all's good! Thanks to everyone for the help.

Nope, don't see it. What could I have done wrong? I thought it was a (*.exe) self-extracting/installing file?

What the best way to get rid of some obsolete apps for which the installation source is no longer available -- making it impossible to uninstall them? These programs are totally unneeded and no longer unusable -- and I'd like to get rid of some of this junk, but I can't. Would it be a total disaster to simply delete the program folder(s)? I've even tried unlocker -- but that does nothing.

I downloaded this and thought I installed it properly -- but now I'm not sure. What should I be looking for in the Task Manager to tell if it's there and running?

I do have winapp2.ini installed. Here are the specific apps I have: AVG Anti-Virus Pro SUPERAntiSpyware Pro a-Squared Free CCleaner recognizes all three of these. What do you think? Clean -- or not clean?

What are some good reliable large file hosting/sharing sites? I guess I'm looking for reliability and speed (both up and down).

I assume that when CCleaner cleans anti-malware apps in the Application/Utility section (virus, spyware, etc.), for the most part, these are log files. Can these be cleaned, or should they not be cleaned? Is there any good reason for keeping these log files?

Thanks so much for the link, CeeCee -- appreciate the help.

Where do you find this and how do you actually disable it?

My Windows setup does not require file and printer sharing. What are the pros and cons of disabling it?

Have you ever used this, Andavari?

Are registry entries that are no longer in use and unnecessary (such as those identified by a good registry cleaner), just that . . . unnecessary? Are they just extra baggage and "clutter" in the registry, or can those entries become and/or create problems?

Anyone had any experience with the FireFox extension PhishTank SiteChecker?

What is the real significance of the "Common Files" folder? If there are sub-folders (in the Common Files folder) of programs that are no longer being used -- or are no longer installed, is it safe to delete these sub-folders -- or are the contents of these sub-folders being used or shared by other programs?

Try unchecking "Window Site/Location Cache" in the Advanced section of the Windows tab.

KUDOS! Andavari. You've been a big help to me personally over the last couple of months. I so appreciate your willingness to help -- whenever and wherever you're needed.

It looks like you have the Process Supervisor active. I haven't been using it. Is there any real need for it other than providing a Task Bar visual of what's happening?

One more time on registry cleaners... I use Registry Mechanic (and CCleaner). And, I have come to trust and respect many who share regularly on this forum -- so I just wanted to check on this one more time. Here's a quote (see below) from another forum from about a year ago. It seems to be absolutely contrary to what I've read on this forum -- especially from Andavari. And, of course, I'm not at all sure about the knowledge or credibility of the individual that made this statement -- so any additional comments or clarification would be welcome. "Registry Mechanic, in my usage of it, has had a tendency to produce false positives which would corrupt various software had I let it make the recommended deletions. RegSeeker, in my opinion, is a more trustworthy registry cleaner and considering it is free it's a much better value too. Thus, I would dump registry Mechanic in favor of RegSeeker."