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Personal Tech

Solutions: Damaged registry entry likely caused System32 problem

By JOHN TORRO
Published April 17, 2006

When I turn on my computer, the first thing that pops up is System32 showing all folders in it. How can I get rid of this?

This is a known problem caused by a null, incomplete or damaged registry entry probably caused by an incomplete installation of some application. You can try using MSCONFIG (Start, Run, type MSCONFIG) to check the Startup tab. You can uncheck suspected startup items to narrow it down to which one is causing the problem. If you cannot determine the problem using MSCONFIG, it will require a registry edit, so make sure you are comfortable doing this and understand how to back up and restore your registry in case of a problem. System Restore can also be used as a safeguard. Using REGEDIT (Start, Run type REGEDIT), view the following two Windows registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Verify that all the values in these keys do not contain any incorrect, incomplete or null entries (such as "). Select and Delete the key or keys in question.

I have a wireless network setup that is causing some headaches. The second computer is using a wireless USB adapter to connect to the network. For some reason, it does not have a constant connection. Everything will be fine, but then it suddenly loses the connection and then comes back on its own. Is it possible that the cordless phone may be interfering with the signal? They are very near each other in the office. If so, is there some way to change the frequency on the router (Linksys Wireless G)? Also, how would I encrypt the router?

Yes, it very well may be the cordless phone causing the problem. Wireless G uses the same frequency range of 2.4 GHz as do many cordless phones. You can try changing the frequency channel used by your router through the administration program. If you haven't used it before, you access it through your browser at address http://192.168.1.1 Leave the user name blank and enter "admin" (without the quotes) as the password, unless you have changed the password. Changing the password is recommended as any of your neighbors who can pick up your signal and know the default password can just as easily access and change settings on your router. All wireless networks should be secured. You'll find the Wireless Channel selector for the Linksys Wireless G router under Wireless menu section. There are several frequencies you can try. After you change it, reboot the router and see how it goes. Keep in mind that not all USB network adapters are of the same quality. I have used some that have performed poorly and some are much more sensitive to interference than others. I had the same problems and channel switching did not resolve it. I eventually changed my wireless phone to the 5.8 GHz type, which solved the problem.

It doesn't matter if I'm online or not. There is a glitch of some kind that makes my computer turn off whenever it pleases and then restarts itself (Windows XP Pro).

First I would check the system log file to see if it can give any reason or clue as to what is happening. You can find it in the Control Panel under Administrative Tools, Event Viewer. Check the system log at about the time the unexpected shutdown occurred. This could also be a faulty power supply problem. Observe the cooling fan on the outside of the power supply and make sure it is functioning. This also could happen as the result of power fluctuations, in this case a power-conditioning surge protector.

A friend asked me to look at her computer (Windows Me). I got everything back up and running without reformatting her hard drive, but I can't create a restore point. The message that comes up is: Unable to create restore point. Please restart computer and try restore point again. I also was not able to take it back to an earlier time; it just sits on the date and won't go back. I've run Ad-aware and Spybot and even did a few of the security updates. I haven't downloaded the Service Pack 1 yet because I really didn't want to undo what I got done.

It sounds like this could be a corrupted System Restore volume. Try this: Through Control Panel, go to System, Performance, File System, Troubleshooting and check "Disable System Restore," click apply and then reboot. This will flush the corrupted System Restore volume. Next, reverse the process and turn System Restore back on: Control Panel, Performance, File System, Troubleshooting and uncheck Disable System Restore, Apply and again reboot.

[Last modified April 17, 2006, 07:43:03]