I did something stupid

[PTRMAN]

I've had some severe problems after start-up. A few moments after startup anything that is open gets greyed-out and nothing works.

Looking back, I think I probably deleted some registry stuff I shouldn't have through CCleaner. To make matters worse, though, I've since gone through several system restores, and have also uninstalled a bunch of stuff (using Riva Uninstaller) in an attempt to fix the problem.

Safe mode works, but regular only works for about 2-3 minutes. I'm told reinstalling Vista Ultimate x64 is best way to fix this, but part of what I've messed up involves System Restore and Backup and Restore - I had to run System Restore from the install disk because it isn't on my PC anymore. And a search turns up Backup and Restore, but nothing happens with it.

I tried the SFC scan and also Repair Computer from the install disk. They both ran but said nothing wrong found.

Queries:
1) Any suggestions besides completely reinstalling Vista? Maybe I can undo the changes CCleaner made?
2) If reinstall is best option, how do I backup my existing data? I've got on HDD on this machine (partitioned) and a decent size external drive that I can use, but I don't know what to do (copy? find a freebie backup program?).

PS - I hate to admit it, but I'm just experienced enough to know better than to blindly allow CCleaner to delete stuff (no, I didn't check it closely) but not experienced enough to know exactly how to fix it.

 

[Impulse Fire911]

you know... most people think its the worst thing in the world to reinstall windows when its not THAT big of a hassle. basically if your vista is this screwed up the main choice is to just reinstall it. you wont lose any documents and/or files. they will be saved on your local disk c on a file named Windows.old so just reinstall because you will cause more problems than u started out with.

 

[PTRMAN]

Really? I'd read and been told that a reinstall wipes out everything; that I'd have to move everything I wanted to save off the PC, then reinstall it later?

 

[lemur]

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/241565-custom-install-vista.html

 

[PTRMAN]

So EVERYTHING will be saved under the windows.old folder? Programs, pics, docs, movies, etc.?

I'm using about 215GB of my existing 500GB drive, with about 60GB available on my external drive. You're saying I don't need to move anything?

 

[Brink]

Hello Ptrman, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Correct, but I would still backup any files that you do not want to lose to be safe though. Afterwards, all drivers and programs will need to be reinstalled as well.

 

[blue75]

I always thought you lost everything.I will keep this in mind when upgrading to Windows 7 thx all.

 

[Brink]

Hi Blue,

Doing a Custom install places everything in the previous installation in the C:\Windows.old folder. A Clean install (format and custom install) wipes everything out.

 

[blue75]

Cool thx Brink I will come here before I do anything :D My Dad is just 2 much to deal with.I guess he's been doing PC stuff so long its like second nature.I always try to stay open minded even if you already know something somebody might know a better way to do it.I dunno I just hate being talked down to

Back on topic I've heard messing with Vista 64's registry is like playing with a nuke ? Certain things are basic with a good guide while others I've seen people say its not worth the risk.

 

[Brink]

If you do not know what you are doing, then messing with the registry can hose your installation with one wrong change. :eek:

It's always best to create a system restore point, or backup anything that you do not want to lose before messing with the registry just in case a mistake is made.

 

[PTRMAN]

Thanks all. I did an off-PC backup of most of my stuff, but the reinstall went well and it appears all the old stuff is still there anyhow. My disk did not give me the option of looking for updates before the reinstall, so I'm going through the whole automated update process. Not a big deal, but a bit of a pain. All-in-all the process was nowhere near as difficult as it had been made out to be. Perhaps it used to be that difficult?

 

[Brink]

Ptrman, I'm happy to hear that all seems ok now.

 

[PTRMAN]

OK, last question. I've gone through and copied back all I wanted from Windows.old. I'm now left with two useless items in Windows.old - an empty Users folder and a sfi.dat folder in Windows/System32/drivers. Neither of these can be deleted with the Delete function. How can I get rid of them?

 

[Brink]

You can just delete the Windows.old folder from Disk Cleanup instead to regain all of the space back from it.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/240390-windows-old-folder-delete.html

 

[PTRMAN]

I tried that route, but it didn't work. Still have the very few old files hanging around. Even after reboot.

 

[CyberZeus]

What error appears when you try to delete those files / directories?

 

[PTRMAN]

No error. I check the correct box, disk cleanup runs, but the windows.old directory is not deleted. I thought perhaps it would require a reboot, but that didn't help. The same files remain in the windows.old directory. I did manage to delete most of them, so it isn't an issue of freeing up space, but more an esthetic issue - I like to get my HDD as clean as possible. Perhaps some kind of administrator issue? I'm the only user on this PC, and I do log in as admin.

 

[DarkNovaGamer]

No error. I check the correct box, disk cleanup runs, but the windows.old directory is not deleted. I thought perhaps it would require a reboot, but that didn't help. The same files remain in the windows.old directory. I did manage to delete most of them, so it isn't an issue of freeing up space, but more an esthetic issue - I like to get my HDD as clean as possible. Perhaps some kind of administrator issue? I'm the only user on this PC, and I do log in as admin.

Silly question, have you tried running disc cleanup as admin?

 

[CyberZeus]

What happens if you try to delete those files / directories with Windows Explorer?

 

[PTRMAN]

Disk Cleanup as admin has same results. Check previous installs box, cleanup runs, but Windows.old still shows up in Explorer.

Interestingly, Explorer (run as admin) shows Windows.old, but when I try right click/delete I get "Are You Sure" screen, then "Could Not Find" message. Specifically, says "Could not find this item. This is no longer located on C:\. Verify item's location and try again."

Appears there are three files that won't quite go away. Clicking through the subdirectories, I have two files in a AppData\Roaming\SecuRom\UserData folder. Right click/delete on these two, or any folder on the way down to them results in same "not found" message as above.

Then there is still the sfi.dat file in the Windows\System32\drivers folder within the Windows.old directory. Right click/delete on this says "you need permission". Same if I try to rename it (even in Explorer as admin).

So the two mystery files (appear to be in greek font) in the Users\...SecuRom folder don't exist anymore, but still show up, while the sfi.dat apparently does exist, but can't be touched.

So these remain annoying little nits in the grand scheme, but I'm surprised that all of the above actions didn't clean them up/out already. Suppose safe mode reboot, then disk cleanup (as admin) or explorer (as admin) might be next step. Any further thoughts?