ashwin Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 (edited) GreetingsI recentlly uninstalled a trial (bookmark) software, and multiple windows popped up stating that even though the shared files were not in use, uninstalling them might cause some programs not to work...I opted to not take off the shared files, and at the end of the uninstall, it said there were some parts of the uninstall which would have to be removed manually. One of the files was: SMTP.40.OCX I didn't write the others down ( I thought I was backing out of the entire uninstall by saying "no" to the prompt). The software was Alert Bookmarks.Would you recommend using system restore to back up and then uninstall all the shared files?? Is this how the computer can get bogged down- with bits and pieces of files- or not to worry??Thanks in advanceAshwin Edited May 3, 2006 by ashwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 If you had System Restore enabled before you installed the program just restore to a point before the install. That's all I do when removing a program that I didn't like. It saves you from running a registry cleaner. In fact before installing any new program I create a new restore point and name it Before installing program name, that way I can revert to my previous setup with ease. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martymas Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 before you try restore try this if you use xp change the sys to classic viewreboot your comptwhen it is booting tap f8 keep tapping until it goes to safe modego to safe mode on networking then follow the screens until your desktop appears then go to start-searchtype the name of the program your trying to get rid of then right click them alland delete them all in the windowthe reason your getting those messages is because the sys is using some of the files from that program and in safe mode they are stand alone you will probably have to empty your trash can once your back in normal modei hope this helpsmarty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ashwin Posted May 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Thanks to you both.TT 75: In the PAST I used SR the way you are and my restores got slower and slower, and eventually froze my entire hard drive- I had to reinstall windows. I'm not afraid to use it once, but there is some kind of limitation I don't know about...MARTY: I think you're saying it is OK to delete the 4-5 unused files, and since the program is uninstalled, I'll go into safe mode and see if I can find them.All the best--Ashwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 If SR slowed down your system then you need to reduce the size of it. You can reduce System Restore's voracious appetite for disk space by manually reducing the area set aside for the Restore cache area. Here's how to access that setting: In XP: Right click on My Computer, then Properties, and then the System Restore tab. Select the hard drive you wish to adjust (in XP, each drive can have its own System Restore setting), and click the Settings button.I have mine set to 5% (1061MB) on a 20GB hard drive space. For 2 weeks worth you could set it as low as 200MB. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ashwin Posted May 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 SUPER!!ThanksAshwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shanenin Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 If you had System Restore enabled before you installed the program just restore to a point before the install. That's all I do when removing a program that I didn't like. It saves you from running a registry cleaner. In fact before installing any new program I create a new restore point and name it Before installing program name, that way I can revert to my previous setup with ease.That sounds like a pretty good statagie. With that said, do you think it really matters much if a program leaves a bit of info in the registry? I would not think a few extra entrys would slow stuff down much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheTerrorist_75 Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 If you had System Restore enabled before you installed the program just restore to a point before the install. That's all I do when removing a program that I didn't like. It saves you from running a registry cleaner. In fact before installing any new program I create a new restore point and name it Before installing program name, that way I can revert to my previous setup with ease.That sounds like a pretty good statagie. With that said, do you think it really matters much if a program leaves a bit of info in the registry? I would not think a few extra entrys would slow stuff down much.Some leave entries that report back. Also some trial software places entries in your firewall so they can call home. It is always a good idea to clean up after discovering you don't want to conrtinue using trial software. Using System restore makes this easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martymas Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 for what ist worth i have my restore popints set at fullbut when ever i clean my sys i delete the restore points up until then then go in and set a restore point up until that time .those restore points do not slow my sys down you may have spy ware doing that or some foreigner butting on you sysmarty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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