I decided to run a registry cleaning programme a couple of nights ago without setting a system restore point, which may be one of the dumber decisions that I've made as of late. Right now, Windows XP is not saving my settings and acting rather peculiar. In particular: -When I boot up, it does not remember to display the Quick Launch bar. I have to put it on manually everytime. -My folder toolbar settings are never saved - when I click on My Computer, I want the "Address Bar" toolbar to always show. As soon as I click off My Computer, the setting is forgotten and the address bar is gone. -When I boot up, my desktop icons are arranged by name and not in the custom arrangement that I created for them. -Most frustratingly, once I arrange my desktop icons back into the order I want and align them by grid, they instantly revert back to the old "by name" settings as soon as I make any kind of application change. (I'm not sure I described this well, so I'll give an example. Go into My Computer, click on Tools, Folder Options, View. If I check any box or make any change and hit "apply," all of the icons revert back to the by name order and my 'align by grid' setting is completely forgotten). I have tried restoring my system to a variety of points within the last week, but I have had no success; whenever I try, Windows XP gives me an error message upon booting up. I am quite certain that this problem is somehow linked to the registry alterations I made a couple of days ago, but have no way of knowing for certain. It appears that my Windows XP is locked into a particular brand of settings that I do not want. But I could be quite incorrect about this. I hope have described this well enough that someone can come along and help. If anyone has any ideas, please do let me know. Thanks. Best, Jay

first of all always set a restore point and registry cleaners are a joke, they do nothing but delete un needed files. if you try downloading a program called spybot sd you might have some luck with finding the spyware the the registry cleaner put on your pc.... :( Discombobulated?

I definitely learned my lesson about setting a restore point (and about registry cleaners). I tried restoring my computer to some of the automatic checkpoints that the computer had set up, but I was told each time that it wasn't possible. Is there a reason for this? Is there a way to get around it? I even tried booting up the computer in safe mode and to no avail. I'm running a spybot now. I'll run an ad-aware later and X-Cleaner after that, if need be. Are you sure that they put spyware on my computer and that's the problem? I'm concerned that I deleted something important from my registry.

"Are you sure that they put spyware on my computer and that's the problem?" It's a bit of a stretch, given the circumstances - often new posters feel the urge to contribute, regardless of experience Registry cleaners have a bit of a reputation for being 'overzealous' by removing necessary entries - this doesn't make them malware, just a tool that cuts a bit too sharply I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter

Jay, Set everything up the way you want it then go to the link below and scroll down to Line 54 (right column) and click on "Save Settings on Exit" to download a reg file. Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes to the import prompt. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_... It may correct the problem. Tufenuf

Tufenuf, I tried Line 54's Save Settings and restarted my computer. The problem still remained. I also tried Line 30 on the left side. I am completely stumped and confused, not to mention a bit frustrated. I've tried all sorts of things at this point. Anyone have any other ideas? Jay

anyone?? please??