Any way to avoid formatting HD and reinstalling Win Vista?

[Ignoramus]

I have a Vista Premium PC where I installed a trial version of a program,
let it expire and now I bought the full version but cannot seem to get it to
install since the ghost of the old trial version seems to be haunting my PC.

Before I start formatting the drive (and lose all my other programs and
settings) and attempt to reinstall Vista, I was wondering whether there was
some easy way to wipe all traces of the trial program? I am no great tech
expert, so protracted brain surgery with registry settings may not be an
option for me!

 

[Huib]

Hi,
Go to a restore point just before the trial version and it should be ok.
By the way it is a good custom prior installing new SW to make yourself a
restore point, so if any problem you can step back immediately.
When the package is working fine it is also a good custom to make a new
restore point so that if you encounter any other problem you can step back
after the previous installed package and don't loose that one.

Regards
Huib

 

[Walter Blanchard]

I'm guessing you don't have an image of the drive made before you installed
the trial?

 

[Charlie Russel - MVP]

If you _do_ end up formatting and reinstalling, please save yourself some
time and pain by running the Windows Easy Transfer (WET) before you start
rebuilding.

And try contacting the ISV that provided the full version - they, after all,
should have a clean way for you to go from trial to real.

 

[C.B.]

I have a Vista Premium PC where I installed a trial version of a program,
let it expire and now I bought the full version but cannot seem to get it
to
install since the ghost of the old trial version seems to be haunting my
PC.

Before I start formatting the drive (and lose all my other programs and
settings) and attempt to reinstall Vista, I was wondering whether there
was
some easy way to wipe all traces of the trial program? I am no great tech
expert, so protracted brain surgery with registry settings may not be an
option for me!

Ignoramus,

To begin with, you should change your name. Requesting assistance with
an issue you don't understand does not make you an ignoramus.
Was the trial software Norton by any chance? If so, use the Norton
Removal Tool and reboot your computer. Once you have done this run the
removal tool a second time and reboot your computer again. If not Norton,
once you have uninstalled the trial software via Programs and features you
can check to see if there is still a folder in Program Files and Program
Data. If so, delete them. You can then go to your registry and delete any
values still remaining. If you don't know how to remove these entries in
your registry you can post again and someone will instruct you on the proper
procedure for doing so.
The other advice you have been given is good advice. Always do a System
Restore before adding any software to your machine. Better yet, take an
image of your system prior to installing any software.

C.B.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a Vista Premium PC where I installed a trial version of a program,
let it expire and now I bought the full version but cannot seem to get
it to
install since the ghost of the old trial version seems to be haunting my
PC.

Before I start formatting the drive (and lose all my other programs and
settings) and attempt to reinstall Vista, I was wondering whether there was
some easy way to wipe all traces of the trial program? I am no great tech
expert, so protracted brain surgery with registry settings may not be an
option for me!

Have you asked the manufacturer of this 3rd party application how to
resolve problems with their product?


--

Bruce Chambers

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