good software to repair dll files

[sgleo87]

I do a lot of installing and uninstalling since I test out new programs frequently and switch programs that I use also pretty frequently. Now that obviously messes with the dll's and leaves stuff behind in the registry. Is there a good and RELIABLE program that would clean that up or what should I do? There are no major problems that I have so should I just leave it like it is because the chance is greater that I will mess stuff up when using a cleaning program?

 

[nweaver]

yes, there is a great program..2 actually, but one is free (beta)

vmware (free beta right now)
and virtualPC (MS product, not free)

both work great for software testing

 

[sgleo87]

I do have vmware already to test new stuff but I only got it recently and I wanted to clean up the "dll mess" I have already produced in the past years from installing and uninstalling stuff

 

[daniel49]

when the mess gets too burdonsome, most people just generally reinstall from scratch.
I use to use cleansweep for install/uninstall tracking before quarterdeck sold it to Norton.
worked fairly well.
but I cannot really recommend any after the fact (to try and clear up 2 years of mess) ...odds are you will delete something you need.
The software that advertises itself as cleaning up your system and or registry really is not that good imho.

 

[sgleo87]

ok, thx...well, i guess I will use vmware from now on to try out stuff and then maybe do a fresh install eventually.

 

[dunkster]

Rooting out all vestiges of some drivers can be a real pain.

Consider:
- Dedicated Windows partition.
- Clean Windows install with no drivers.
- Image backup of clean Windows partition to single DVD or hard drive partition.

Restoring Windows partition from DVD takes about 15 minutes, less from hard drive image, and it's guaranteed 'clean'.

Hope this helps!