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doodler

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Everything posted by doodler

  1. Davey, Correct me if I'm wrong or misinterpretting the situatin. But if someone uses the registry cleaner the very first time (or perhaps for the first time after an extended period of not using it), doesn't it take two or three scans to do the job? Clearing out registry fragments from the first scan results in additional fragments that are picked up by the second scan. That's what I recall experiencing and reading about. Could that be going on here? (PS - I'm using an older version of CCleaner. Haven't gotten around to upgrading yet. Perhaps newer versions correct this issue.)
  2. Ha! A paradox of the virtual world. I have read where people use Sandboxie with Returnil protection turned on. That's tight security.
  3. Great input. Thanks for your responses. As already stated, I have Sandboxie installed and I like how simple and practical it is. (That's my style.) But I'm confused why the registry fragments occurred when I downloaded, installed, and then removed Audacity in the sandboxed environment. Is that normal to happen...even with Returnil? Or did Sandboxie leak? I'm new to this virtual world of computing and still learning and don't know that answer. DennisD, your response is starting to sell me on Returnil. I read some of Returnil's user manual. Maybe have both, Sandboxie and Returnil, on my system for a while and decide which one I like best? Does anyone have any experience uninstalling Returnil? I had a very bad experience uninstalling Comodo a while back and want to avoid a repeat. Does Returnil uninstall cleanly?
  4. Thanks AnthonyA. I see in your earlier posts that the most recent version of Retunil gives you a choice of using RAM or HD to virtualize your system. Do you know the pros and cons of each?
  5. The above comments about Returnil have me curious. Here's what I'm looking for: 1. A way of safely downloading and installing programs to test them out...and a way to FULLY uninstall them that keeps my system pristine. I'm finicky about keeping my registry and OS clean. Sadly, I avoid downloading programs to test them out because most of their uninstallers don't fully work; they leave folders and registry entries behind. So I'm missing out on some of the fun of having a computer. I could consider using Revo or a similar uninstaller utility, but I like the "virtual" concept better for now. I discovered with Sandboxie that even though I may download a program in the "sandboxed" environment, I was surprised to learn that when I remove the program by closing the sandbox, and then do a registry scan in CCleaner, there are left-over registry fragments from that program that was sandboxed. I guess I assumed if the program was sandboxed, then absolutely nothing would be left behind anywhere when the sandbox was emptied...not even in the registry. Do you know how this works with Returnil? If you have Returnil protection on, and download a program, and then reboot, is it 100% removed or is there some residual stuff left behind in the registry like I discovered with Sandboxie? 2. Security. I like the idea of being able to surf the web and know that if you picked up something bad along the way, it will be gone by emptying the sandbox or by rebooting. Sounds like both Sandboxie and Returnil do a good job with this issue. 3. Simplicity. I tried HIPS (Host Instrusion Prevention...or something like that) and didn't like it. It may be a good fit for some folks, but I found it too high-maintenance. So one reason I like the virtual environment is you don't have that sort of mess and fuss. Returnil users...can you give me your opinions, particularly about above # 1?
  6. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.
  7. I asked this question on the Sandboxie forum and haven't received a response yet. Maybe I'll have better luck here. My grandson has a computer game on a CD that he wants to download onto my computer via it's disk drive. The game is "clean"; it's from a store and from a well-known manufacturer. Is there a way I can download the game into a sandbox using Sandboxie instead of directly onto my hard drive? The reason I'd like to do this is because if the game program is downloaded onto my hard drive, then the uninstall won't be nearly as clean as if it was installed in a sandbox.
  8. All... Thanks for the input. I welcome opinions. I could be wrong, but I thought Online Armor Free came with HIPS. I'm not too keen on that. Please let me know if I'm mistaken. Also, thanks for Sunbelt/Kerio suggestion. Here's an idea: Piriform...you folks did a stellar job with CCleaner. You made it with four essential features: Safe, Efffective, Simple, and Free. So, ready for a new project? Create a firewall that is Safe, Effective, Simple, and Free. What a great complement to your other products! A simple to use firewall...no bells or whistles...that controls/gives notices about inbound and outbound transmissions; that's pretty much it. Small footprint. Works on XP and Vista. Again, keep it simple to use because trust me...there's a whole population of computer users out there that don't know a whole lot about pc's and don't have the time or inclination to learn a whole lot either. They just want reasonable protection that is Safe, Effective, Simple, and Free. You'd make a fortune in donations.
  9. I'm asking questions only because I'm trying to learn. Not sure why you thought I was debating your answers; that wasn't my intent.
  10. Thanks for your input. Do the "security holes" to which you refer mean an outbound transmission (from my computer to the an outside computer) could be sent without Kerio 2.1.5 alerting me? Since you are like me in solely depending on Windows Firewall, do you have any concerns about outbound stuff? Do you think it's overrated concern?
  11. Thanks. I should also point out I have only a few programs on my pc (I love simplicity) and my pc is behind a wireless modem/router (hardware firewall). A few weeks ago I ran a ShieldsUP! and all my tested ports are stealthed (although my system still pings and I can't get it to stop). Anyway, I feel pretty well protected from inbound threats. It would nice, though, to have the added security of being alerted of outbound connection attempts. I thought Online Armour had HIPS?
  12. First, some background: I'm not a pc power user I have Windows XP pro with service patches 1 and 2 I'm careful where I go on the internet Typically I'm on the web 10-15 hours a week I do use the web occasionally for banking transactions My security set up is Eset Nod32, Spybot and Superantispyware (free versions), and Windows Firewall. To beef up my security, I installed Comodo Personal Firewall with HIPS + (free version) a few months ago. But I quickly discovered I'm not skilled enough to handle that firewall plus the HIPS. Frankly, even if I was technically-savvy, I don't want that level of intrusiveness on my pc. (Yes, I know you can disable the HIPS part, but it still digs deep into your system. Plus, I began getting BSOD's whenever I ran CheckDisk. Too buggy.) I've been searching and searching for a simple firewall (no HIPS...no needless bells and whistles) that gives me 2-way protection versus the one-way protection I'm only getting from Windows Firewall. Primarily, I want to be notified just in case something gets on my pc...like a keylogger...and tries to "call home". The best current firewall that I've found that meets my criteria for simplicity is the free version of ZoneAlarm. But, it's very bloated with a security suite (inactive) that takes it over 40 mb. Here's where the craziness comes into the picture. I'm considering downloading Kerio 2.1.5...which is a few years old, but from what I've read in forums, is very stable, user-friendly, and simple. Do you think I'm nuts to consider installing such an old firewall?
  13. doodler

    Registry cleaning

    Davey... Forgive me for jumping into this thread and going off-topic, but your responses here are typical of the consistently helpful and encouraging feedback you give posters in this forum and I thought I would take this opportunity to thank you. I'm just an average pc user (definitely not a super-techie) and have had CCleaner on my system now for about 6 months. Love it. And every now and then I take a look at this forum to see what's going on and there you are...helping out in a kind and patient way. Some other forums that I check out from time to time have a harder edge to them and their frequent posters convey a king-of-the-hill attitude that can feel intimidating to those less experienced. On the other hand, you demonstrate a welcoming attitude that is appreciated and is a worthy extension of the great reputation that CCleaner has.
  14. As of a few days ago, I run Windows Firewall on my SP2 machine. I tried Comodo Firewall Pro V. 3. If one is a power user, then he/she may have no trouble with CFP. But, I'm an "average" computer user and found CFP v3.0 too demanding, buggy, and complicated. I should mention CFP's HIPS was enabled, which added to the complexity. I tried for a month to cope with it, but the last straw for me was when I ran my monthly CHKDSK and my system had a major crash. (It wouldn't even reboot in safe mood; I had to use something called last known good configuration to bring it back up.) The final insult was when I tried to uninstall CFP and it left so many files and registry keys behind that Windows Security Center kept saying CFP was still installed. (Yes, I even ran CCleaner.) Ultimately I had to manually remove a bunch of that stuff (not fun) and reset Windows Firewall. I later discovered in the Comodo forums that the CHKDSK and uninstall problems I experienced are happening to some other CFP users as well. All in all, a very unpleasant experience. But again, if one is not daunted by such happenings and has a higher skill level with computers than I, then Comodo may be something for you to consider. I do have a question. I'm trying to learn more about firewall protection and went to Gibsons Research Center and ran ShieldsUP! for the first time. My Windows Firewall was turned on. I passed the File Sharing test, but failed the Common Ports test because ping reply was detected. I checked my firewall settings; no entries in the Exceptions tab are checked and no entries in the ICMP section of the Advanced tab are checked. I don't know much about this subject or how to fix this ping issue on my system. Help is appreciated (the simpler the explanation, the better). Thanks. PS - Other security on my system: Nod32, Superantispyware, Spybot S&D
  15. I'm relatively new to CCleaner, having downloaded it for the first time last November. I've been using it these past few months with no problems and now I see that version 2.04 is available, so this will be my first upgrade. CCleaner FAQ's state we can "install newer versions over the top of older versions, without having to uninstall". Nonetheless, I've read in most tech forums that it's best to uninstall a program before upgrading to the newer version. So my question to those of you who are more tech-savy than I and who have a longer history with CCleaner is how do you upgrade newer versions of this product? On top of older versions or uninstall then clean install?
  16. As YoKenny states, clearing the notification tray cache in Windows XP is actually a two-step process...always. Step 1 is to check the Tray Notification Cache in the Advanced section and then run CCleaner. Step 2 is to go to Task Manager, end Explorer.exe, then (still in Task Manager) click File, select New Task, and enter Explorer.exe If you execute step 1 at startup without immediately following it up with step 2, the notification cache won't be cleaned. I believe step 2 is necessary not because of a feature problem with CCleaner, but rather because of the way Windows operates. It is my understanding the entries in the notification tray cache come from two values in the registry that CCleaner edits. However, Windows recreates those values automatically on a reboot if you don't do step 2.
  17. Not too sure this is the right forum for this topic. I'm new at this...bear with me. I'd love to get some expert advice regarding editing my registry (Windows XP). I removed Symantec in favor of Eset Nod32. I used the Norton removal tool to uninstall Symantec from my pc and had no major problems that I could see. Then, I ran CCleaner. But, afterwards I thought I'd check the registry for any remaining Symantec/Norton files by going to Start > Run > Regedit > Edit button > Find > then I typed "Symantec" (and a second time by typing "Norton"). This search resulted in finding a bunch of remaining entries...probably 20 or so. Eset seems to be running fine on my computer, so I suppose these remaining Symantec and Norton entries aren't hurting anything in that regard. But, should they still be there? Some are actual folders with the words "Symantec" or "Norton" in the titles. Others are strings (? not sure if I'm using the right word...some registry folders themselves may not say "Symantec" or "Norton", but when you click on them, the strings that appear...with an "ab" symbol...have the words "Symantec" or "Norton"). So my question is: Is it appropriate and safe to delete those folder and "string" entries that have the words "Symantec" and "Norton" in them based on my registry search? Or should I leave well-enough alone and not worry about it? As mentioned above, I'm somewhat new to computers, but learning. I'd be grateful for your expert advice.
  18. Beckyj, My home pc has 3 user accounts, mine is the administrator. I loaded CCleaner from my account, but had to manually put the CCleaner shortcut icon on my desktop by going to Windows Explorer (again, from my account), then Program Files. I clicked on the CCleaner folder. The CCleaner icon appeared and I right-clicked on it to send it to my desktop. I repeated the above process, while logged into each of the other 2 user accounts, to add the the CCleaner shortcut icon to each of those two desktops as well. From reading some of the other threads, it doesn't look like there's a way to run CCleaner for all multiple accounts at one time. So, I figured the next best thing would be just to run it individually from each account. Seems to work fine.
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