Ordinarily I wouldn`t post software links in this forum, unless someone is looking for something, but here is the best registry cleaner I`ve come across for free.

I use Nbg Cleaner from Tucows. It is shareware but you can use it for 30 days. It found 683 invalid references in my registry. It also has a 'go back' feature which lets you return the deleted entries to their original position should anything 'orrid happen. You cpuld also try OleClean (ZDNet) which is a freebie but I used that before nbg and nbg found even more errors. Steve

Look man, don't do this to these people.. A full registry backup doen't take up more than a few megs and these guys are going to believe you.. Never f with the registry unless you know what and where you want to take care of.

I use all the below cleaners , each one specialises in a different area . Recommend you print this info out . EasyCleaner from http://nonags.gj.net/disku32.html ( Freeware ) ver.1.5 ( When I was using W95 , I prefered this version , now I'm W98 , I use 1.7 , from http://www.s/tonihele ) I have a program that uses a Visual Basic file ( msvbvm60.dll\3 ) . The last part of this file , \3 , is called an numeric tail . EasyCleaner removes this comlete file , because of the tail , unless it is told not to . Here is how to do that . Open EasyCleaner/Clean registry & in Skip ( under Select all ) delete Norton & type in C:\Windows\system\msvbvm60.dll\3 Even if you don't have this particular file , it won't hurt to put it in Skip , as you may get it in the future . Should you see EasyCleaner list another file with a numeric tail ( or a file like Norton , that you want to keep ) for removal , put a comma after what you have already in Skip & type in the file path \ name . Don't use Duplicate files unless you really know what your doing . I have used EasyCleaner on over 50 comp's & have not had a single problem . Don't be suprised if you get a lot of files / dll's to be removed . I then run Microsoft's RegClean , http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=18924 If using W95 & it wont run , below is the fix . IE5 installs a bad registry key in Win 95 that baffles RegClean.Here's what to look for: Open regedit, select edit-find off the menu bar. In the search box key EXACTLY:{00000201-0000-0010-8000-00AA006D2EA4} When search finds it, click on the + boxes to open up the key path. Look for the HELPDIR key. If you see (default) "???o" that's your problem , it's an invalid path. Highlight (default), right click and select MODIFY.Key in EXACTLY:C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYSTEM\ADO\ Go to the key above , which is {00000200-0000-0010-8000-00AA006D2EA4} & repeat . RegClean should run again. This problem is limited to Win 95, Win 98 doesn't have HELPDIR on that key. You might be able to get away with simply deleting the HELPDIR key, but I wasn't that brave. If that doesn't work then run RegClean with the /L parameter (REGCLEAN.exe /L). This will create a HUGE log file. When RegClean stalls open regclean.log with WordPad and scroll to the bottom. This will show you the problem key. Find it in the registry and look at the contents. An invalid entry will be obvious. Compare the offending key to comparable keys on either side of it and you should be able to determine what a valid entry should be. Edit it and with any luck away you go. Also , now use OleClean (Freeware) as well,I tick all boxes in Options. http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/contents.html?Fcode=0015UT&Title=OleClean&DispCategory=Utilities&DispSubcategory=System+Utilities&DispTitle=OleClean&Category Last use , Clean System Directory ( Freeware ) from , www.ozemail.com.au/~ksolway/ , this removes extra files . These stay on the HD ( but out of the Registry ) & if I ever get a program that needs them in the future , I use the Move Files Back , feature of Clean System Directory .