ALLTOAVI Problem

[gonwk]

Hi folks,

I installed this darn program "AllToAvi ver 3.0.0R2" to convert DVD & so forth to AVI ... well after the install I noticed that it Installed a Shortcut on my "Right-Click" function of the "Start" button ... which I DO NOT like ....

See the attached JPEG for what I am saying ...

Does anyone know how to REMOVE this thing ... I have already Uninstalled the darn program via "Add & Remove" function of the Windows ... I am running Win XP Prof.

By the way, I have limited authority on this computer ... "Power User" only ... No Admin Rights.

Any Solution(s) would be appreciated.

Also ... on the side note ... STAY AWAY from this Crapy Program ... I think the program has Spyware or something in it ... also version 4.07.144 is worse than 3.0.0R2. And I thought if it is on the "SourceForge.net" it must be SAFE ... Think Again!!!

Thanks,
G!

[benbryant]

Please open the Registry Editor by go to Start > Run and type regedit. Then go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell (expand the "shell" key to check for it) and see if you can find the obnoxious Alltoavi there. If you see it, just right-click that key and delete it. Don't delete the "shell' key or anything else. Please also back the registry up before editing it. Good luck

Regards

[gonwk]

Hi Benbryant,

Thanks Dude!

Now, I have to suck up to the Big Brother to get "Admin Right" to do what you told me ... since I am running XP Prof. and have ONLY a "Power USer" authority ....

Thanks agian,
G!

[gonwk]

Hi Benbryant,

I was actually able to run RegEdit with my Authority ... I think I did what you said ... here are my steps and the darn thing is still there ...

1) I ran RegEdit
2) Opened the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell (I think * is my DIRECTORY as you had mentioned).
3) Under "shell" folder there was a Folder called "AlltoAVI" the trouble making program. in the LEFT Pane I right-click'ed and deleted the entire "alltoavi" folder and closed RegEdit.
BUT ... the darn shortcut still shows in my right-click ....

Now before I do this I wanted to ask you ... here what I have done ... and I think might/will work ...

1) I exported the ORIGINAL "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" folder and named BackUp.
2) I made a copy that Backup ... copy and paste in different place.
3) Opened this working copy with "Wordpad" and looked for "ALLTOAVI" application and I found 2 entries ...
4) I deleted those 2 lines
5) I saved the new "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" AS BackUp ammended.

NOW my Question is ... do I change this name to the original "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" and imported back in the Registry ... and HOW?

Thanks,
G!

[benbryant]

Originally, when you export (save) the registry, you shouldn't edit anything to the backup because it's the backup that allows restoring in case you mess it up. After backing up, you then can edit the registry directly with the registry editor. If anything goes wrong after editing the registry, you can restore your registry back as before by double-cliking the registry backup file or right-click on it and select "Import". In your case, did you restart the windows and then check again? If the problem recurs, that would mean that that annoying has already imbedded itself to the system

PS: Naming or renaming the registry backup doesn't make any difference. Just double-click it to import it back

Regards

[gonwk]

THANKS Benbryant,

Back to the drawing board ...

BTW, I am doing a lot of googling and trying to learn about "Registry" ... I am having a hard time understanding what they mean by deleting "That KEY" ... is that the folder in the LEFT PANE or the individual entries in RIGHT PANE.

Also, I jumped the gun and "Deleted" the Entire "AllTtoAvi" Folder under "SHELL" in the Left Pane ... may be I should not have done that.

There is 2 thing that I can do ...

1) Re-Install the Stupid program again ... and uninstall again. That might give me the FOLDER that I mentioned above that I deleted.

2) Just go into my REGISTRY in Text mode and physically DELETE the lines that refers to the program "AllToAVI".

What do you suggest?

Thanks,
G! (the Dummy!)

[benbryant]

Also, I jumped the gun and "Deleted" the Entire "AllTtoAvi" Folder under "SHELL" in the Left Pane ... may be I should not have done that.

The folders in left pane are the keys and the entries in the right pane are either String Value, Binary Value, DWORD Value, Multi-String Value, or Expandable String Value. Deleting the AllToAvi key means deleting the AllToAvi "folder" in the left pane. You didn't do it incorrectly at all. The only thing that I don't understand is that why the AllToAvi context menu is still there after its registry key was remove and restarted.

Regards

[morpheusx]

Okay. Found the answer. Explanation will be for newbies/non tech-savvy people.

1) Go to the Start menu and in the "Search programs and Files text box type "regedit". This will bring up "regedit.exe", so just hit Enter and it will launch the RegEdit app.

2) In the menu at the next, click on Edit and then click on the Find option.
In the new pop up window, type "alltoavi" and enter.

This will bring up the AllToAvi folder which will be located in:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > FOLDER > SHELL > All To Avi

Delete that folder and the accursed AllToAvi contextual menu option disappears.

Taa-daa...