Solved Registry defrag results in locked/frozen system

[Note: System is an HP dv5t with dual core 2.53GHz CPU, 4Gb RAM, and 10% free disk space running Vista x64 Home Premium]

In an attempt to further improve my system performance, I embarked on the task of doing a Registry Defrag. This was suggested in a few different postings I'd read about Windows Vista optimization.

I downloaded three programs to try out: Free Registry Defrag, WinASO Registry Optimizer, and Auslogics Registry Defrag.

I tried each one after shutting down all applications (including the widget sidebar). In all cases, as the analysis process proceeds I don't touch anything else on the computer. About 10 to 15 minutes into the process, I begin to wonder what's taking so long. In two of them, a progress bar gets to 99% and just sits there. Another shows 3 out of 13 tasks and also can't seem to go beyond this.

At about this point, my user interface freezes in various stages. I can move my mouse, but I can't launch anything new from the Start Menu, or click on a desktop icon. Then, my cursor becomes unresponsive to my external mouse or touchpad. I also start to notice that the clock in the lower right corner is no longer updating. Other times I walked away for about 20 minutes and came back to see that my screen went to sleep (but all lights show active). Touching the mouse should "wake up" the screen, but nothing happens. The user interface is unresponsive.

Why... why do 3 different applications freeze up on me like this? Is Registry Defragging fraught with problems? Or, is it possible that some background process is interfering with it, something that the programs don't bother to detect before proceeding? Any ideas? :huh:

As far as I am concerned, the defraggers will not do much good. Stop using them. If you have a problem with your system, use System Restore to go back to where you were and then do not use the degfraggers. MS has made Vista to be maintained with a minimum of effort.

For best results follow these steps for the optimum performance.
To maintain your computer

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

10 Tips on How to Properly Maintain Your Computer

Steps that I did not notice on the guide include:

Running a scan disc before doing a defrag

Making System Restore points, at least once a week

Makaing a system Image once a month (varies by user)

Not relying on your A/V common sense, should prevail. You know of many sites can cause a problem.

Do not use any reg cleaning or optimizing software, regardless of recommendation in the article

Download and use [COLOR=#3485BD !important][COLOR=#3485BD !important]Ccleaner[/COLOR][/COLOR] about once every two months. Untick any [COLOR=#3485BD !important][COLOR=#3485BD !important]registry [COLOR=#3485BD !important]entries[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR].
http://www.piriform.com/

Download and use PSI, to to be sure that all of your software is up to date
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

If you follow these instructions, you will be trouble free for a long time to come.

Be sure to back up your hard drive about once a month (varies by user) and to keeep system restore points up to date.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...er-performance

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html

Hi Rich,
Thanks for your response. So, from what I gather in your message, the whole idea of "registry fragmentation" is kind of like snake oil? That Vista is perfectly capable of keeping the registry in order, unlike the plethora of temporary files that Windows operating systems seem intrinsically destined to leave lying around?

I agree. Don't use registry defraggers, optimizers, or cleaners. You are best off leaving it alone.

I agree with your statments, Cytherian.

Thanks. I have experienced a little improvement after having followed the basic advice. I had subsequently installed "PC Speed Up" to have an "alternate opinion", but it ended up as a rabbit chase with more aggravation than it was worth. The software warned of thousands of "junk" files that supposedly slows down the system, but that's far from the truth. It exaggerated on the effects of various services starting that would slow down the boot up. Also, the software itself slows down start-up by about 50% just to assess it... and would repeatedly do it upon each reboot (I'm guessing until I register for the paid version.) Well, I got rid of that junk straight off.

To get rid of your junk files, download and use Ccleaner, its safe and effective.

Yep, I did that earlier (Piriform CC Cleaner). You'd think that there wouldn't be anything else left to throw away, so subsequent programs that claim differently leave one to suspect if they're really correct.

You are much better off going with the safe (that removes less) than taking a chance. Although, I have Seven, it is very similar to Vista, I have no problems and I follow the instructions that I gave you. If you do nothing else be very, very careful with reg cleaners, defraggers etc.

I always backup my registry before doing anything, as the backup file becomes very small when compressed so it's a no brainer for the added safety.

Incidentally, are you running Windows 7 Ultimate? I'm on Home Premium Vista, but thinking of upgrading to Ultimate so that I can leverage things like multiple virtual machines. And with all the hype about Windows 8 going, I imagine Vista Ultimate could be had for less than the going rate about a year ago.

I, and most of the senior members at the Seven Forum, have Seven Home Premium, it serves all our needs. You needs seem to differ, a bit.
Allow me to give you a little heads up. I had Vista, I went to Seven because Microsoft had a pre order deal. Seven was issued Oct /09. I bought Seven, July/09. Total cost $49.99. Had to wait 3 months to get my CD. I mention this in case you want the most up to date, you may want to see if something similar is offered.

Thanks. Given how Windows 8 is slated to be released sometime towards the end of the year, I expect a similar deal might be had in the late summer/early fall. If I don't manage to snag a great deal on an upgrade to Vista Ultimate by then, I'll keep a look out. From the chatter I read about concerning Windows 7, it appears that the discount was a very short window of buying opportunity (like 2 weeks). If it does come up, I expect there should be some chatter about it in Eight Forums, is that fair to assume?

Yes, you might be wise to check out the Eight Forums. If I hear anything I will post, it too, in this Forum.
http://www.eightforums.com/

Thank you my friend for your rep support and kind words. I know that you will appreciate the following information
Pre-Order Windows 8 - Everything Microsoft
I feel obligated to advise you that this site will most likely send information not requested if you sign up; you may just want to watch it for updates on Windows 8. The choice is yours to be notified (by signing up) or or just watching.
I will be interested in knowing what OS, you finally decide to use.

Cytherian said:

I always backup my registry before doing anything, as the backup file becomes very small when compressed so it's a no brainer for the added safety.

Incidentally, are you running Windows 7 Ultimate? I'm on Home Premium Vista, but thinking of upgrading to Ultimate so that I can leverage things like multiple virtual machines. And with all the hype about Windows 8 going, I imagine Vista Ultimate could be had for less than the going rate about a year ago.

Click to expand...

I'm on Windows 7 Ultimate I was lucky enough to get a student upgrade disc for £50. I have to admit though, I don't use many of the features - I might as well be running Professional or Home Premium. I got Ultimate because it was the only upgrade available from Vista HP.

I know your problem has been solved now, but I thought I might as well share my thoughts. What do you backup your registry with? I would recommend setting up a daily backup with ERUNT:

Automatically Backup your Windows Vista Registry daily using ERUNT - The Winhelponline Blog

Lars Hederer (the person who made ERUNT) also makes something called NTREGOPT - a registry optimiser for Windows NT.

ERUNT and NTREGOPT

This is different to other registry optimisers though:

Note that the program does NOT change the contents of the registry in
any way, nor does it physically defrag the registry files on the drive
(as the PageDefrag program from SysInternals does). The optimization
done by NTREGOPT is simply compacting the registry hives to the
minimum size possible.

Click to expand...

I've used NTREGOPT before and didn't experience any noticeable speed increases, it did a good job of cutting down the file size though

Tom

Cytherian said:

I always backup my registry before doing anything, as the backup file becomes very small when compressed so it's a no brainer for the added safety.

Incidentally, are you running Windows 7 Ultimate? I'm on Home Premium Vista, but thinking of upgrading to Ultimate so that I can leverage things like multiple virtual machines. And with all the hype about Windows 8 going, I imagine Vista Ultimate could be had for less than the going rate about a year ago.

Click to expand...

I picked up Vista Ultimate on ebay, in a box, good COA, for 60 dollars shipped free on a "best offer" sale. I have 7 at work and love Vista Ultimate more. I actually replaced 7 home premium on my home computer with a clean Vista Ultimate install and it is so responsive and smooth and I have not seen any overriding advantage to 7 Enterprise, which is what I use at work.

You're welcome, Rich.

Tom, thanks for the heads up on that. I had seen ERUNT earlier but didn't get around to trying it. I do tend to believe that Microsoft engineers wouldn't be so remiss as to let the registry become a tangled defragmented mess over time. The file size is a different story. While compacting it isn't much of a concern from the size perspective, because hard drive space is ample relative to the registry size, I prefer doing it because it keeps things a little cleaner. Every little bit helps.

Frankly, I think it overkill to back up your registry every time you start the operating system. Maybe after installing a new program, though. I'll have to check into ERUNT again and review the options.


Well, after seeing only marginal performance improvements reported with Windows 7, and just the convenience of more codecs installed by default, I decided to go for an upgrade to Vista Ultimate. I want to have the flexibility of running a VM whenever I want (something you can't do with Home Premium). Being able to launch Linux or any other OS at will without having to go through the trouble of partitioning a hard drive and installing a boot manager feels a bit better to me. Also, it allows you to have a temporary sandbox to try out a bunch of software experiments that is easily rolled back simply by closing down the VM. I don't like how a lot of software leaves remnants in the registry after uninstalling. Anyway, hopefully the upgrade will go smoothly.

One other thing... with some of the desktop menu add-ons possible like Vista Start Menu and RocketDock, Vista gains a near Windows 7/Mac OS kind of feel. It's like getting a new OS with little effort/expense.

Cytherian said:

You're welcome, Rich.

Tom, thanks for the heads up on that. I had seen ERUNT earlier but didn't get around to trying it. I do tend to believe that Microsoft engineers wouldn't be so remiss as to let the registry become a tangled defragmented mess over time. The file size is a different story. While compacting it isn't much of a concern from the size perspective, because hard drive space is ample relative to the registry size, I prefer doing it because it keeps things a little cleaner. Every little bit helps.

Click to expand...

No problem Thanks for the rep.

Frankly, I think it overkill to back up your registry every time you start the operating system. Maybe after installing a new program, though. I'll have to check into ERUNT again and review the options.

Click to expand...

Yes, I do see your point. Perhaps I fiddle with my registry too much then! I just about killed my computer last week whilst testing Combofix.

You're welcome.

Ah, if you love to fiddle, you should definitely utilize virtual machines! You can play all you want then scrap it all with no harm done to your OS. Then after proving something works for you, install it for more long term use. Of course, the only real trouble with a virtual machine is that an operating system installation can't be a duplicate license.

But I guess you could also set a restore point and then roll back to it if things getting a little dicey.

I would love to be able to run a Virtual Machine but I simply don't have the computer for it My 2GHz CPU and 2GB RAM can't cope very well. I can just about get by with an XP VM, but it's horribly laggy. Once I've built my new computer, I'll see how that fares with them. Thanks for the tip I think I've got a few licenses left on my Windows 7 disc, if not, I'll go back to Vista HP.