Re: bios update and registry cleaners
- From: "R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:23:34 -0500
I don't subscribe to or believe in the maxim "Don't Fit it....". Actually,
I spend a good amount of time preparing & sending update notices to
my customers. It's that involvement that helps them to learn. Here most
folks want help with an immediate problem - or perhaps some issue
with performance. Registry Cleaners aren't some "Magic Fix" and if
we (responders) suggest their use & that results in an unbootable PC
then we are at fault as much as the "Cleaner". Everybody here phrases
answers differently. 'Don't use one', is still as acceptable an answer as
'Don't use one BECAUSE.....' I suppose XP General is a classroom
of sorts, but nobody takes names or hands out grades. Learning about
PCs is a cumulative thing that takes time, lot's of time.
"Louis Rost" <junkie123ATlonepineDOTcom@> wrote in message
news:l547o1h4dmvbr635k1q11gift3kc4jln4c@xxxxxxxxxx
> On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 10:19:06 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>>Louis Rost wrote:
>>
>>> Bios update: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is a complex and
>>> even dangerous thing to attempt. Don't do it. I disagree strongly!
>>> Updating a bios is no more difficult than installing most
>>> applications. It is much easier to update the bios than most video
>>> adaptors. You download the bios update from the manufacturer and many
>>> times simply run the self-extracting exe file and the bios is updated
>>> without exiting Windows. Less than one minute of run time.
>>
>>
>>I'm one of those who regularly advice against updating the BIOS unless you
>>need to. But I certainly don't give that advice because it's complex and
>>difficult. In fact, I don't recall anyone here ever suggesting that it was
>>complex or difficult. It isn't. As you say, it's very easy.
>>
>>The reason I advise against it is because there's danger invoilved. If
>>something goes wrong while you're doing it (for example, a sudden loss of
>>power) you can be left with no workable BIOS at all and an unbootable
>>computer.
>>
>>That's not the biggest risk in the world (and can be greatly lessened if
>>you
>>use a UPS) but it *is* a risk. My advise is to do a BIOS Update if you
>>need
>>to (because the old BIOS doesn't properly support your hardware), but not
>>just because one is available.
>
> And did you obtain your computer knowledge by avoiding all unecessary
> risks?
>
>>
>>
>>> Bios
>>> updating can prevent problems when installing new hardware. Case in
>>> point. Installed a new WD800J drive on my daughter's computer for
>>> purposes of backup using Norton Ghost 10. Norton Ghost took about 1
>>> hour 20 minutes for the backup but from prior experience with similar
>>> systems, I knew it should run in 20 minutes or less. After many hours
>>> of trouble shooting attempting to find out what the conflict was it
>>> turned out to be the bios needed to be updated. Norton Ghost ran in 9
>>> minutes after the update.
>>
>>
>>Although your example is a relatively rare occurrence, there sometimes
>>*is*
>>a need to update the BIOS. I don't think anyone would argue (certainly not
>>I) that you should never upgrade the BIOS. Do it when you have to, but
>>don't
>>take the risk when you don't need to.
>>
> Any why not if it will prevent problems in the future? It is more
> important to know the risk, know precautions that can be taken, than
> to be told, 'If it ain't broken, don't fix it."
>
>>
>>> Many of the same folks who advocate not
>>> updating the bios are quick to point out that Windows should be kept
>>> updated. Same folks are quick to suggest getting the latest device
>>> drivers including video drivers.
>>
>>
>>Not I. I recemmend getting a newer driver only when the old one is causing
>>a
>>problem that the new one is known to fix.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Bios updates when obtained from the
>>> manufacturer and installed according to the instructions is no more
>>> difficult,
>>
>>
>>True. In fact it's probably less difficult.
>>
>>
>>> no more dangerous
>>
>>
>>But that's false. The risk of something like a power failure while doing a
>>BIOS upgrade is much more signifiant than when updating a driver.
>
> UPS come to mind?
>>
>>
>>> and serves the same purpose: preventing
>>> problems.
>>
>>
>>> Registry Cleaners on Windows XP: Not needed. Don't use them. They
>>> do not improve performance, do not save space and can cause serious
>>> problems.
>>
>>
>>All correct. Again, I don't claim that every time someone uses one of
>>these
>>a problem will result. But the risk is always there. And the benefits of
>>using registry cleaners are very close to non-existent, the tradeoff of a
>>non-existent benefit for even a small risk is foolhardy.
>>
>>
>>
>>> I've used various cleaners often enough to agree that on my
>>> systems performance is not improved, insignificant space is reclaimed.
>>> But they are fun to use once in a while,
>>
>>
>>Using software that presents risks and accomplishes nothing, and calling
>>it
>>"fun" is the mark of a tinkerer, someone who treats his computer as a toy,
>>rather than as a ueful tool. If you fall into that category, be my guest
>>and
>>do all the tinkering you want. But advising others to do the same is
>>irresponsible.
>>
>>
>>> can be a good learning tool
>>> unless one simply blindly deletes any and every thing listed.
>>
>>
>>The enormous majority of computer users have no ability to discern what
>>should or should not be deleted. Moreover they have no interest in this
>>kind
>>of learning tool. They are interested in the computer's working with a
>>minimum of fussing and attention.
>>
>
> And probably do not come here asking about registry cleaners. The
> ones who do ask have shown an interest and motivation and should be
> given proper advice, not told, "Do not do it."
>
>>
>>> Computers are merely tools for many but for many they are also
>>> interesting and a semi-hobby. Registry cleaners, in my opionion,
>>> falls in the semi-hobby category and interested users should be
>>> instructed how to use them rather than castigated for even mentioning
>>> the subject.
>>
>>
>>You are clearly a tinkerer. That's fine. Tinker to your heart's content.
>>But
>>don't advise others who need their computer to always be there to do the
>>same.
>
> I do/did not advise anyone to update their bios or use registry
> editors. I simply believe that sticking ones head in the sand does
> nothing to improve ones knowledge of computers. Risks must be taken.
> It is better and less demeaning to be told the risks and appropriate
> precautions than merely be told, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it."
.
- References:
- bios update and registry cleaners
- From: Louis Rost
- Re: bios update and registry cleaners
- From: Ken Blake, MVP
- Re: bios update and registry cleaners
- From: Louis Rost
- bios update and registry cleaners
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