Error message: Error Deleting Key

[Rick Nelli]

I tried to Uninstall Norton Firewall but it wouldn't
Uninstall. I called Symantec for help and after trying
several different things we were able to uninstall the
programs, but we couldn't delete the Symantec folder in
the registry. I kept getting the following error message:
(Red X) "Error Deleting Key -
Cannot delete Symantec: error while deleting key".
I was logged on as the adminisrator with full authority to
read/delete keys. I tried REGEDIT and REGEDT32. Has anyone
seen this before and is there a fix without reformatting
the hard disk and re-installing Windows 2000?

 

[Mark V]

Rick Nelli wrote in

I tried to Uninstall Norton Firewall but it wouldn't
Uninstall. I called Symantec for help and after trying
several different things we were able to uninstall the
programs, but we couldn't delete the Symantec folder in
the registry. I kept getting the following error message:
(Red X) "Error Deleting Key -
Cannot delete Symantec: error while deleting key".
I was logged on as the adminisrator with full authority to
read/delete keys. I tried REGEDIT and REGEDT32. Has anyone
seen this before and is there a fix without reformatting
the hard disk and re-installing Windows 2000?

I have no specifics on your (Symantec) problem.
Generally keys are not deletable for one or more of:
There is an open handle to the key. IOW some process is using it.
The Permissions (ACLs) on the key or a sub-key do not allow Delete.
Since you say regedt32, did you check/alter the permissions to allow
your account to delete (and sub-keys if any)?
You are in a registry area that is being maintained dynamically by
the system and will not allow for deletion.

You should always include the particulars when posting:
OS, SP, fully qualified path of the registry key (and/or valuename)
in question.

Always have a complete registry backup before any editing takes
place.