G
Guest
I think we're dealing with two problems here: remnants of failed
installations/uninstallations blocking proper installation processes, and
perhaps corrupted system files (in some cases from an earlier XP install) as
well that might require some elements of Vista repair.
1. Install/Uninstall Debris Problems. The Vista Installer is a fragile
program that can be damaged or blocked by Windows Updates or even failed
installations, which can occur for any number of reasons, producing inability
to install anything and any number of error messages. The Windows Uninstall
program is less than optimum at removing all parts of any uninstall and
frequently leaves remnant files and folders or registry entries of the
uninstalled program on your computer. The more the debris from failed or
broken installations and from incomplete uninstallations mounts up, the worse
your system works.
Some software companies provide an uninstall tool on their support website
(i.e. AdobeFlash, Norton, McAfee) which can help with this process, but often
even these special uninstaller tools leave remnants of the program on your
computer that can block or degrade the installation new or update programs.
You can further clean up your computer manually as outlined in the following
tutorial:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/87249-unable-install-latest-version-program-vista.html
I have since found and used a program called "Smarty Uninstaller" that does
an even better job of uninstalling programs, even tough ones like McAfee and
Norton. You scan your computer and the program identifies all the programs
on your computer, listing those that have their own uninstaller program and
those that are only remnants of a program. First you click for it to use the
program's uninstaller, and then when it’s finished, Smarty UI identifies any
program remnants and will then uninstall the remnants (from files, folders,
and registry entries). For Smarty UI (free trial period, cheap to buy) see
link below:
http://www.winnertweak.com/uninstaller/
After running Smarty UI, I recommend using the Windows Installer Cleanup
Utility to finish off the uninstallation. This program is available at the
following link:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301
Once the debris of failed installs/uninstalls is completely removed, you
should be able to do a clean install of the new or update program without
problems. If all this fails, you can do a clean reinstall of your OS.
2. Vista Repair Options. If you've cleared your computer of all
install/uninstall debris and you're still having problems, go to the
following tutorial which will take you stepwise through repair steps. The
last step in the process involves a clean install of Vista. Some people have
upgraded from XP to Vista over an XP install and portions of XP may be
jamming up your Vista OS. This last tutorial will show you how to do a clean
upgrade install, with a primary Vista install from XP, and then doing a
secondary clean Vista install from your primary Vista install, eliminating
all traces of XP.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/101393-repair-vista-options-preferred-sequence.html
installations/uninstallations blocking proper installation processes, and
perhaps corrupted system files (in some cases from an earlier XP install) as
well that might require some elements of Vista repair.
1. Install/Uninstall Debris Problems. The Vista Installer is a fragile
program that can be damaged or blocked by Windows Updates or even failed
installations, which can occur for any number of reasons, producing inability
to install anything and any number of error messages. The Windows Uninstall
program is less than optimum at removing all parts of any uninstall and
frequently leaves remnant files and folders or registry entries of the
uninstalled program on your computer. The more the debris from failed or
broken installations and from incomplete uninstallations mounts up, the worse
your system works.
Some software companies provide an uninstall tool on their support website
(i.e. AdobeFlash, Norton, McAfee) which can help with this process, but often
even these special uninstaller tools leave remnants of the program on your
computer that can block or degrade the installation new or update programs.
You can further clean up your computer manually as outlined in the following
tutorial:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/87249-unable-install-latest-version-program-vista.html
I have since found and used a program called "Smarty Uninstaller" that does
an even better job of uninstalling programs, even tough ones like McAfee and
Norton. You scan your computer and the program identifies all the programs
on your computer, listing those that have their own uninstaller program and
those that are only remnants of a program. First you click for it to use the
program's uninstaller, and then when it’s finished, Smarty UI identifies any
program remnants and will then uninstall the remnants (from files, folders,
and registry entries). For Smarty UI (free trial period, cheap to buy) see
link below:
http://www.winnertweak.com/uninstaller/
After running Smarty UI, I recommend using the Windows Installer Cleanup
Utility to finish off the uninstallation. This program is available at the
following link:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301
Once the debris of failed installs/uninstalls is completely removed, you
should be able to do a clean install of the new or update program without
problems. If all this fails, you can do a clean reinstall of your OS.
2. Vista Repair Options. If you've cleared your computer of all
install/uninstall debris and you're still having problems, go to the
following tutorial which will take you stepwise through repair steps. The
last step in the process involves a clean install of Vista. Some people have
upgraded from XP to Vista over an XP install and portions of XP may be
jamming up your Vista OS. This last tutorial will show you how to do a clean
upgrade install, with a primary Vista install from XP, and then doing a
secondary clean Vista install from your primary Vista install, eliminating
all traces of XP.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/101393-repair-vista-options-preferred-sequence.html