Errors encountered when uninstalling pre-installed software

[Guest]

My Dell XPS 410 with Windows Vista came with some demo software--including
Roxio Creator DE, which expired before I had opportunity to use it. Nice.

When I went to uninstall this software using Vista's Programs and Features
tool, there were five or six different Roxio entries. None of them had a name
that would indicate that it would uninstall the whole suite--so I uninstalled
them entry-by-entry. For each uninstall, the same type of error dialog
appeared:

"Error writing to file C:\Config.msi\cc1c24f.rbf. Verify that you have
access to that directory."

Each time, the file name was different, but the location was the
same--C:\Config.msi. Each time, I checked the contents of the C:\Config.msi
folder; it was empty--not even a hidden or system file.

I saw this with some other software that I uninstalled, too.

All of the software uninstalled--at least, I *think* it did; the entries no
longer appear in the Programs and Features list.

Is this error to be expected when uninstalling pre-installed software? What
causes it? I don't recall deleting the contents of the C:\Config.msi folder
myself.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Follow the instructions in this KB Article:

http://kb.roxio.com/content/kb/Creator/000127CR

 

[Guest]

Thanks! I'll see how many of the steps are still applicable, since I already
uninstalled the software.

As I said though, I've seen this 'Error writing to file C:\Config.msi\...'
message when uninstalling other software--even though I've been logged on as
an administrator. What is the root cause of this?

 

[Guest]

This may be a security issue involving folder Ownership and Permissions.
Even though you're an administrator, you may not have access to some folders
because of these issues. I recommend clicking on the Program Files folder
and Taking Ownership, and granting yourself (your username) Full Control
permissions of all folders, sub-folders, and files for all your programs.
You should then be able to modify everything in the Program Files folder,
including uninstall it's programs. Instructions on how to do this are
included in this tutorial.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html

In the event that your problem involves more than security issues, the Roxio
uninstaller programs that come with the programs may have become disconnected
from the programs such that Vista uninstaller can't really uninstall them.
You may also have a problem with failed install/uninstall debris blocking
proper install/uninstall processes. Instructions on how to fix this are
included in this tutorial.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/87249-unable-install-latest-version-program-vista.html

 

[Guest]

Thanks. Perhaps it *is* an ownership or permission issue. I find it strange,
however, that *none* of the files whose names are displayed in the dialog
boxes exist in the C:\Config.msi folder. In fact, the C:\Config.msi folder
has no files in it whatsoever.