How did I go from less than a dozen registry problems to more than 1600?!

How is this even possible?!

I decided to run RegScrupXP to do a normal cleanup.
I observed a sharp lag while it was scanning COM names,
and I thought the entire program was frozen-- however, when I
looked in Task Manager, it seemed to be running (and sucking up 70% CPU).
So, I left it for about a half-an-hour and came back to find 1,698 new problems!
However, none of them were listed for some reason, so I couldn't fix them...

Could someone tell me how something so disastrous could have occurred,
and what superior programs I could use to fix these programs?

 

This is pretty much why you should not run registry cleaners and the like. They tend to do more harm than good. The registry is not something to mess around with.

I really don't know anything that will actually fix the issue. Was your system having any probalems before this? Does it now? It could be a similar tatic that Ad-Aware uses. The first time you run that program it usually comes up with hundreds of supposed threats, most of which are harmless cookies. If your system is not having problems, leave it be. With computers the if it ain't broke don't fix it motto rings very true.

 

Try CCleaner. It is what I use, and it is very reliable.

 

CCleaner doesn't delete/fix registry values.
I do use it, though.

I used RegScrub two days ago and got 3 problems.
Today? 1,698.

 

Sounds like a possible spyware/virus issue. Do you have up to date protection, or have you done a free sweep with any programs? I would try that.

Personally, I think RegscrubXP is the way to go for registry cleaners. It actually fixes many problems rather than just blindly deleting keys like some registry "cleaners". However 1600 is a pretty high number. I'd say run some spyware/virus scans and see what you come up with.

 

Personally, i think regXP does more harm then good. i tried it out once and my notebook wouldn't even boot after the initial scan. I'd recommend Tweaknow Regcleaner (freeware) and if you have extra cash to blow Registry Mechanic is worth every dime.

 

I ran Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware, and AVG.
No problems at all. I'm afraid to run Regscrub again.
It finds seven problems, then seems to crash.

 

I use Registry Mechanic but only because the my firm bought it for me (otherwise I would've used a free scanner). It's pretty good.

Try to rememeber what you did in the last two days. There must be something which created these problems.
If your location wasn't NYC, I would have asked whether you have file names in non-English/Latin characters; this used to cause problems in the past

 

I've seen a virus -- twice -- that inserts literally thousands of entries into the runs of the registry. Select all freezes, msconfig freezes, anything but regedit basically freezes when trying to fix. You have to manually select a bunch at a time, careful not to select anything you DO want running, and delete. It's a ****ty, ****ty virus. But, you can recover from it.

 

Boot in safe mode, then run everything you have of antivirus, anti-adware, chkdsk and whatever else you can think of.

 

always do anything related to virus/spyware suspicions from safe mode in the administrator account only. you cannot get everything otherwise.

 

Thanks for all the help! I'll try it

 

I regularly (after un-installs, unexplained codec problems, freezes...I.E. when there is an issue) use CCleaner and RegCleaner. they bothe tell you what they've found and are pretty good at removing the 'Ghosts of Programs Past'.