CHAPTER I

Introduction and its Background

With a world innovation for top speed, and increased performance for

computer applications, games and other programs, utility tools perform a vital

role in maintaining and optimizing computer performance to keep up with the

technology innovative requirements. Utility tools have different categories

according to its focus task for where it was built for. Registry is one of the

categories that utility tools try to provide services and solutions.

Every computer has different registry issues and problems. Registry

issues or faults are or can be caused by virus infection, malware, trojan, adware,

improper installation of programs, program updates, operating system and

program modifying, installation or updates or device drivers, games, chat clients

and many other applications. Changes can occur with or without user’s knowing.

With those changes, which most are undesirable, contributes to general slowing

down of the computer's performance or worst can cause inoperability of the

computer.

The proponents proposed application software which is a utility tool that

aims to remove empty, broken and unwanted entries from the systems’ registry.

1.1 Background of the Study

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 AMA is the largest educational institution in Asia and pioneer in Computer-

Based learning, and one of its branches is AMA Computer College Biñan

Campus. The proponents are conducting a study that aims to give assistance

and support on maintaining system performance on laboratory computers in an

easy way and in less time. Since laboratory computers are always used by the

students, it is essential to keep systems’ performance well-maintained and fast to

efficiently use the computers. Many applications installed and uninstalled might

result to numerous registry entries which mostly are unmanaged and is

unwanted. Currently, problems related to computers’ performance are emerging

without quick solutions causing the inability or inoperability of computers as well

as slowing learning and educational procedures that is needed by the students to

accomplish for laboratory activities.

Based on the study, AMA Computer College’s laboratories need a utility

tool that will optimize computer performance for better usability. The proponents

will create software for the computer administrators that maintains computer

performances, and for students that needed proper tools for maintaining system

performance and preventing activity interruptions caused by computer

performance-related problems.

AMA Computer College Biñan Campus was established in 1995 at Km. 32

Brgy. Canlalay Biñan, Laguna. The Annex building then was located at Pacita

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Complex, San Pedro, Laguna. The school director that time was Danter Charles

Sullivan.

The AMA Computer College Biñan Campus transferred location having

the same address in the year 2005. The first school director, Mr. Danter Charles

R. Sullivan was replaced by Dr. Priscilla Coligado and followed by Engr. Quintin

V. Beltran. Presently, the campus’ school director is Ms. Cherryl T. Rojas. AMA

Computer College Biñan Campus continues its objective of providing quality

education.

AMA Computer College mission is to “Provide a holistic, relevant, quality

and globally-recognized IT-based education in all levels and disciplines. With this

mission, it aims to produce professionals and leaders that will be responsive to

the needs of science and the international community cognizant of the welfare

and benefits of its men and women thereby realizing their potentials as

productive members of society for the honor and glory of God Almighty.”

AMA Computer College vision is “To be the leader and dominant provider

of relevant and globally recognized information technology-based education and

related services in the global market.”

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 “TweaKing – Registry Tool” will be user-friendly software, easy to manage

and to familiarize with. The software will optimize computer usability for its users.

Authenticate user Software

application

Scan Registry Registry Details

Remove selected
registry entries Cleaned Registry
(invalid, broken
links, etc.)
1.2 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Update settings Customized
SettingsIt indicates
The illustration below shows the flow of the proposed system.

the input of data by the users and how the software processes the data.

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TweaKing Easier work and

Registry Tool less working time
 INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Variables:
sign-in login
Username and
Password

scan display
Scan option

clean display
Clean option

save apply
Configure
Settings

Beneficiaries:

configure customize
Computer
Administrators

Figure 1.0 Research Paradigm

Figure 1.0 shows the research paradigm of the proposed system. It

is the three column table that contains the input, process and output. The

first column contains the variables and the beneficiary. The second

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 column consists of the processes of the software. Then the third column

consists of the outputs of the software.

1.2.1 Operational Model

The diagram represents the operational flow of the proposed

system.

Select
cleaning
Scan Registry option
Clean
Enhance

System Performance
Registry

Figure 2.0 Operational Model

Choose
Features options Customize
apply
Custom
Configuration Settings Configuration

Figure 3.0 Operational Model

Figure 2.0 shows the operational model of the proposed software.

The user will select cleaning option and then performs cleaning of the

registry. The cleaned registry will enhance system performance.

Figure 3.0 shows the additional functionalities of the software.

Through these custom configurations, administrators can easily administer

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 restrictions like disabling task manager, disabling access to display

properties, etc, which is directly changed through the registry.

1.2.2 Conceptual Model

The proponents gather the information using the books, theses,

internet, and other references that help them to collect various information

that supports and compares to the other studies.

Operation
initialize completion
Scan and Clean Registry Cleaned
Registry Details Registry

optimize optimize
System Useless Registry Entries Faster Application
Performance Removal Loading

Figure 4.0 Conceptual Model

Figure 4.0 shows the conceptual model of the proposed software.

The system’s registry will be scanned and cleaned to remove unwanted

entries. Removing useless or unwanted registry entries from the system

will result to system enhancement, specifically making loading of

applications faster.

1.3 General Objective

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 The primary objective of this study is to help speed up application loading

by means of cleaning or removing broken links or invalid entries on the system’s

registry.

1.4 Specific Objectives

The following are the goals that the software intends to accomplish in able

to achieve the general objective of the proposed project:

1. To eliminate registry entries that is not needed by the system.

2. To eliminate errors in the registry.

3. To scan and remove empty or broken registry entries.

4. To prevent clogging up of entries in the registry.

5. To help the users maximize the computer’s performance.

1.5 Assumption of the Study

The proponents expect that the proposed project will be useful in helping

the computer moderators’ in maintaining the performance level of the computers.

The proposed project will also help in removing unwanted or invalid registry

entries that the system does not need. This will contribute assistance or make

registry tweaking easy for inexperienced users.

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1.6 Scope and Limitation

The proponents’ proposed software entitled “TweaKing – Registry Tool” is

a utility tool that helps in improving the performance of the system. The software

use is intended only for faculty and IT staffs of the school. The software is

operational on Windows XP operating system. The software will scan and

remove invalid and unwanted entries as well as broken links from the registry.

The software does not have a registry recovery function. The software provides a

security feature that allows registry tweaking available only for authorized users

or administrators. The software runs on startup or by user demand that is

implemented according to the set application settings.

1.7 Definition of Terms

The definition of terms serves as reference for words that have uncommon

meaning. This is also serves as a guideline to know a certain word that has been

used differently.

1.7.1 Operational Terms

The operational terms will serve as demonstration of a process

such as a variable, term, or object in terms of the specific process. It is a

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 process for identification of an object by distinguishing it from its

background. These are the following:

Administrator. One who manages and maintains computer

systems and software.

Password. It is a secret word or string of characters that is used

for authentication, to prove identity or gain access to a resource or

program.

Registry Cleaning. The process of removing configuration data

from the Windows Registry that is no longer in use or that is unwanted on

the system.

Tweaking. The act of making minor adjustments in an electronic

system or in a software program in order to improve performance.

Usernames. Are names used to gain access to a computer

system.

1.7.2 Technical Terms

These terms serve as reference for the IT words that have one or

more meanings that are not necessarily the same as those in common

use.

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 Log files. A file that lists actions that have occurred in a system.

Microsoft Access. Relational Database Management System from

Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database engine with

a graphical user interface and software development tool.

Microsoft Visual Basic. It is a third generation event driven

programming language and Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

from Microsoft for its COM programming model.

Utility Tools. It is a kind of system software designed to help

analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.

Windows Registry. It is a hierarchical database that stores

configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating

systems.

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