add/remove programs

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My operating system is Windows2000 Professional. I have had problems trying
to remove software from my PC using the Add/Remove Programs function from
Start/Control Panel. Has anyone else ever had any problems like that? I
have never heard of problems in using those functions.
 
What Add\Remove can remove correctly depends on a number of things. When the Add\Remove gets an entry for the
installed software it must also be given information on an uninstall sequence that can be used for the uninstall. Often
what happens is users will remove the software's entry in C:\Program Files manually and later see it in Add\Remove and
try to Remove it from there by "uninstalling." Trouble is the information for uninstalling has been removed by manually
deleting and so it doesn't work. Windows 2000 is supposed to give you the opportunity to remove it from the
Add\Remove list when this happens but that doesn't always work.

Another reason why Add\Remove may cause poblems is that the mfg of the Software are just incompetant and didn't
provide a usable uninstall sequence or the software isn't compatible with Windows 2000. I have an application that is
made from Sysinternals a well respected software co where this is the case. Their application doesn't even exist in
Add\Remove.

So yes we have experienced issues with Add\Remove. It is one reason software cos have come out with their own
versions of Add\Remove software. Norton comes to mind CleanSweep I believe it was. Don't use it.
 
Thank you, George. I was trying to uninstall my McAfee security suite so
that I could install the newer version. I am getting the message "The windows
installer could not be accessed. Contact your support personnel to verify
that the Windows Installer sefvice is properly registered." This gives you
the impression that the Add/Remove function on the control panel is a
separate service from the operating system. I have Windows 2000
Professional. I thought the Add/Remove function came as just another
function in the operating system software.
Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do at this point so that I can
use the Add/Remove function?
 
The error is telling you the Installer service could not be accessed? Hmmm...can you try unnstalling another application
which uses the Windows Installer technology and see if you get the same thing? Maybe try one of the Microsoft Office
products. Excel is a good choice that will easily go right back in. I suspect there is nothing wrong your Installer
service. Or try to Add\Remove it in Safe Mode.
 
I got the previously-mentioned message when I was trying to do the uninstall
in Safe Mode. I didn't get any message when I tried the uninstall in regular
mode; in regular mode, it just didn't do anything when I clicked the Remove
button.
I don't understand the message implying that the Windows Installer service
is a service separate from the operating system. What do you think I can do
at this point if I need to remove the software?
 
The Windows Installer service is just that a Service. You can see it in Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrator
Tools | Services | near the bottom. The default Startup is manual and you should keep it that way.

But I'm still wndering about this message you got. It may have been just a normal outcome of being in Safe Mode. Can
you try to uninstall another application which uses the Windows Installer technology in normal mode? I suggested Excel
from Microsoft Office. For that you would access the Microsoft Office in Add\Remove | Change | and just uncheck all
in Excel and proceed with the wizard. This will tells us if in fact we have an issue with the Windows Installer.

But again I don't think so. No response from Remove in Add\Remove implies there is no uninstall "directions." The
place in the registry that houses the entries you see in Add\Remove are here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Get to this by Start | Run | regedit | OK and then navigate to the above location. The keys under that hold the
information for the entries you see in Add\Remove. If you look at a few of them you will see on the right-hand side an
entry:

"Uninstall String" with a data section where that is or points to. If that Uninstall String entry is not in there for the
application you are trying to remove then yes Remove will do nothing in Add\Remove. If you just want to get the entry
for the application out of Add\Remove you would back up the key (Registry | Export registry file... | name it | Save to a
location you'll remember like My Documents. Then delete the key (Right-click the key (McAffe installation in this case)
| delete).
 
I feel a little leary about uninstalling Excel. I use that, Access, and Word
alot. I imagine I won't lose my Excel files if the application goes will I?
I'm also not clear on what this will prove if I was already not able to
uninstall McAfee. Could you elaborate a little more on your thoughts? I
don't mind trying it if I can fell more comforable. If it goes, I guess I
will have to reinstall it from the disks?
 
"I won't lose my Excel files if the application goes will I? " - right you cannot lose anything in an uninstall that was not put
there by the install. That is assuming the uninstaller works as it should. And in this case no you won't lose anything. I
chose Excel because that one is relatively tame you can take it out put it back in hundreds of times and not be worse for
wear. Yes you will need your install medium to reinstall it.

It will prove whether or not you have a Windows Installer issue. I believe you do not but it would be good to know.
Try some other application something you don't use much or don't care if you can't get it back in at the moment. We
are trying to test the Windows Installer.

Hey you know there is a different way to test the installer. Go into Office in Add\Remove Change | choose to install
addtional components choose one and proceed with the wizard. If that succeeds you have no issue with the Windows
Installer Service.

If the above succeeds and McAffee still fails, Jack Jack Jack it is a problem with McAffee and they really should get it out for you. I suspect you can find this exact issue at their Web site.

http://www.networkassociates.com
 
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