What is deleting file from the registry?

I bought this computer about a year ago. Recently I tried getting rid of aol. But the "start" link to add/remove programs (set program access and defaults) didn't open. I was supprised because i had removed programs before. I then tried accessing it through the control panel. But the link in the control panel didn't work either. I tried opening it through a disc clean up but it wouldn't open. Even though the other option (the one you can erase other things) would open. One friend told me the prorblem was caused because i don't have the windows CD. (watever that is). It's true i bought the computer without the CD.

On a side note, I got DSL after this problem was found out. If it's spyware I might have gotten it when I had dail-up. My DSL connection is always slow, and always displays a "error reporting " on the bottom.

also, after i found this problem out, my computer keeps restarting with a blue screen during the start up. I think it's an .exe problem. It kepps restarting during the start-up. Once in a while it stops in the blue screen and says "beginning dump of physical memory" but doesn't do anything.

My symantac never says it detects any viruses. And i also always run "disc defragment"

Please help me fix this problem. Or tell me whether I should throw it away.

thank you

This question was answered on October 30, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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You may want to try it to delete it from the registry?

Windows RegistryWindows stores its configuration information in a database called the registry (The registry editor that ships with Windows is regedit.exe.) The registry contains profiles for each user of the computer and information about system hardware, installed programs, and property settings Windows continually references this information during its operation.

Registry editors are available that enable you to inspect and modify the registry However, you should not need to do so Instead, allow Windows programs to modify the system registry as needed It is strongly recommended that you do not edit registry settings yourself.

Warning

Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system At the very least, you should back up any valued data on the computer before making changes to the registry

If you do damage your system, you may be able to repair the registry or restore it to the same version you were using when you last successfully started your computer Otherwise, you must reinstall Windows When you reinstall your system, you may lose any changes that have been made, such as Service Pack upgrades, which you must reinstall separately For information about restoring the registry to a previous version

About the author

Posted by christopher of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on October 30, 2004

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