Registry problem after windows update and registry optimization tool

[adverley]

Hello sevenforum,

I've already spend some time on this forum today but I can't find the solution to a particular registry problem I'm having.
While windows was uploading some updates yesterday, I cleaned my registry using Iolo's system mechanic tool and that's where the problems started. (I already read and understood your message: don't use those tools and stay out of your registry. A lesson I learned too late, unfortunately.)
My computer rebooted and after a couple of minutes I noticed the message: " failure configuring windows features reverting changes ". I managed to bypass this loop by running in safe mode and recover my computer to a restore point in the past.
This only worked partially: I get windows to run in normal mode but I get this message: "system failed while restoring the registry from the restore point. Restore point damaged or was deleted during restore". So it didn't restore but I can get into my windows now.

So I don't get the 'reverting change - loop' anymore, so I can access my computer but what's the mess? Well my computer is slow as hell.
Like mentioned above, I already looked around on this forum and wrote down what I already tried.
What I did so far:

1. in CMD: chkdsk /r /f
no problems found

2. in CMD: sfc/scannow
no problems found

3. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/139576-startup-repair-infinite-loop-recovery.html
this trick didn't solve my problem, although I really thought it would help.

4. Recovery --> System restore: Tried all possible and available restore points but none worked.
Also tried a system restore with windows boot disk.
Given error:
system failed while restoring the registry from the restore point. Restore point damaged or was deleted during restore.

5. Start up tool on the windows7 "repair problems" disc.

Because none of these solutions helped me, I was wondering wether somebody of you experts might help me out?
So in short: My computer is terrible slow because of a registry defrag/optimization of a registry tool (in combination with windows update) --> I need to find a way to get back my old registry files but system recovery ain't working.

Please do not hesitate to ask further questions, I'm really waiting for some help!

Further details:
Dell vostro 1750 laptop with windows 7 professional version 32 bit.

 

[marsmimar]

Hello adverley and welcome to Seven Forums.

I think you've tried most of the recommended ways to repair your computer. At this point you might consider a Repair Install. This should hopefully fix your currently installed Windows 7 and preserve your user accounts, data, programs, system drivers, etc. You would have to re-visit the Windows Update site and reinstall a whole bunch of updates.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Depending on how many updates you need to reinstall, I'd recommend turning off automatic updates and manually install just a few at a time (maybe 5 or 10.) If you need to reinstall SP1 I'd start with that first as it will take care of the first 50 - 100 updates. Reboot your computer. Then start installing the first group of 5 - 10. Keep track of the KB numbers. Start with the Critical/Important updates, then the Recommended, then the Optional. Reboot after installing each group. If any problems are noted you'll know which group of updates to uninstall. Try installing one at a time, rebooting after each one. They'll either all install correctly or you'll know which update is the problem. Leave it for last and continue with the next group. Yes, it's a lot slower doing it this way but when you're dealing with maybe 50 or more updates to be installed, this seems to work.

 

[windude99]

Never run a registry defrag/cleaner tool. They almost always end up as bad news with Windows 7 as you experienced. Do what marsmimar said above (the repair install) and don't use a registry cleaner again.

 

[Hopalong X]

+3 Repair Install

 

[adverley]

Thank you for the very fast responses.

I'll do the repair install immediately!

 

[wanchoo]

Since how long have you been using Iolo's System Mechanic Tool? I used it long back in the Windows 95 days and gave it up because of bad experience. Have you had problems with it earlier?

I suggest you please go through the thread http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/230611-registry-cleaners-5.html#post1936970 in these Forums very carefully before trying any Registry Cleaner in the future.

 

[adverley]

I've only been using it for 1 year. Thought it would help speed me up my computer. I used it when I noticed my startup time was decreasing or was experiencing slow process time. In my opinion, the tool really did his job and increased performance. But the pills ain't worth the trouble.

Thank you for the hint, I'll make sure to check it out.

 

[wanchoo]

You are most welcome, Adverley.

 

[cyclic]

These programs normally backup the registry before making any changes, have you tried reinstating the backup if the reg ? that should fix the problem.

 

[Britton30]

Hard way to learn adverley.

In the future CCleaner can be used safely at default settings to clean your registry, nothing else. Many of us here use it safely with no problems, and it does give the option to back up the registry before hand.

 

[adverley]

@Cyclic: That's true, System Mechanic made restore a point and backup of the registry before optimizing. On Iolo's site, they also give a guide how to find these backups and restore them. Its actually the same method as explained on this forum. I tried it but alas, to no avail.

@Britton30: It's indeed a harsh way to learn but I think my computer needed a refresh anyway. This way, not all effort is lost ^^
I think I will keep my hands of registry optimizers. I also read on this forum that windows7 has its own built-in registry cleaner using CMD, I'll probably use that in the future. Thanks though

 

[windude99]

@Cyclic: That's true, System Mechanic made restore a point and backup of the registry before optimizing. On Iolo's site, they also give a guide how to find these backups and restore them. Its actually the same method as explained on this forum. I tried it but alas, to no avail.

@Britton30: It's indeed a harsh way to learn but I think my computer needed a refresh anyway. This way, not all effort is lost ^^
I think I will keep my hands of registry optimizers. I also read on this forum that windows7 has its own built-in registry cleaner using CMD, I'll probably use that in the future. Thanks though

Windows 7 doesn't have a built in registry cleaner, but it does do background optimizations to itself and your programs (prefetching and superfetch which help with boot times and application load times). You are smart to not use ANY registry cleaners as they always end up in bad news. My systems run great with NO registry cleaning or CCleaning and all that stuff. The only computer that I own that has a registry cleaner is my old IBM Windows 98 SE computer, because Windows 98 had a registry cleaner by Microsoft.