Question

I have a question,

I downloaded CCleaner because i was having problems with an installation of a game and the support of the company told me to download this and run a registry cleaner then do all this other stuff to make sure i have a non-corrupt install. Do you think running a registry cleaner would really help with the installation of a program? Because im kinda worried about running one since this is a new computer and i don't want anything to happen to it.

Also on a side note, is running the cleaner completely safe? As in everything should run the same if not better than before with no problem. I'm just a worry freak over this computer.

It does seem a bit strange that you are being told to do all these things to install a program.

What is the program and what happens when you try to install it?

Its a game called Dawn of War Soulstorm and what happens is after i install it ill try to run it, it looks like it starts to load but then nothing happens.

Here is what they told me to do:

In order to ensure a clean, non-corrupt install, you would need to boot your computer in 'Selective start-up mode' before the installation begins. The following steps detail the correct install procedure.

Uninstall - all versions of the game (including demos, mods and patches) from the games un-install feature (Windows Vista users must use add/remove programs.)

-Install and run a registry cleaner, here's a good one http://www.CCleaner.com/download/

-Press the 'Start/Windows' key plus the 'R' key.

-Type the command 'msconfig' in the 'Open:' box, and then click 'OK.'

From the 'General' tab;

-Click 'Selective Startup.'

-Click to uncheck the box for 'Load Startup Items.' (For 'XP' click to uncheck the 'Process System.ini File' and 'Process WIn.ini File' check boxes as well.)

Click on the 'Services' tab;

-Click to check the box for 'Hide All Microsoft Services.'

-Click the 'Disable All' button and click 'OK.'

Allow your computer restart.

-Install the game and update to the most recent patch version.

To reset your start-up mode to 'Normal.'

-Press the 'Start/Windows' key plus the 'R' key.

-Type the command 'msconfig' in the 'Open:' box, and then click 'OK.'

-On the General tab, click 'Normal Startup.'

-Click OK to allow your computer to restart.

I think they're only recommending a registry cleaner to get rid of registry data after "uninstallling all versions of the game (including demos, mods and patches)." It would make more sense if they'd just offer a .reg file, or a program that would remove all existing game data from the registry.

As for the game not running correctly there could be a long list of reasons such as out-dated display card drivers, older Microsoft DirectX version, or a messed up game installer, etc.

Do you think running a registry cleaner would really help with the installation of a program?

Honestly I don't think it will make a difference. If you haven't been playing the demo version, etc., like they tell you to uninstall I think it will make no difference whatsoever.

To protect your registry from improper registry cleaning (note CCleaner doesn't have an aggressive registry cleaner, however if you use other registry cleaners they can cause allot of havoc on your system):

1. Download and use ERUNT (highly recommended), it's freeware and a quick and easy way to make a known good full backup of the registry. The restoration is very fast too should you need to restore the registry. Actually this should be used even if you don't clean the registry because it can save you if System Restore ever fails.

2. Make a System Restore Point.