Install/Uninstall Problems
Most install/uninstall problems are due to remnants of older versions and
install/uninstall debris blocking normal install processes. Until you
completely clean your system of any older versions, broken install or
incomplete uninstall debris, you won't be able to install a new version or
program. Vista uninstaller does a very poor job of removing all parts of a
program. Sometimes a proprietary removal tool can help, but even these will
leave blocking files and registry entries on your system.
You can do a manual uninstall with the help of Windows Installer CleanUp
Utility, but the best way to get rid of all remnants of an older program,
failed download and install, or failed uninstall is using Smarty Uninstaller.
This program will scan your system and list all the programs on your
computer, including "broken" parts of programs. It will then run the
program's uninstaller (if present), and then rescan to list any pieces left
on your system. Clicking Cleanup will then remove all traces of your program
and installation of the new or update program can then proceed normally. You
can access Smarty Uninstaller, a number of proprietary removal tools and
instructions for doing a manual uninstall at the tutorial link below.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/87249-unable-install-latest-version-program-vista.html
Take Ownership/Permissions
Even running as Administrator may leave you without permissions to modify
some files or folders, even ones that you have just downloaded and installed.
To access or modify (copy, delete, rename) files or folders you can take
Ownership of (in your Username) and grant yourself Full Control permissions
of the files or folders in question described in the following tutorial.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html
To avoid having to do this individually for hundreds of files, Take
Ownership of large branch folders like Program Files folder, Users folder, or
Windows folder, and grant yourself Full Control of the folder, all
subfolders, and all files contained in the folder. In the case of Program
Files, you would have full access to all your programs. In the case of Users
folder, you would have full access to your Music, Pictures, Videos,
Documents, etc. In the case of Windows folder you would have full access to
your OS, including Windows Installer. These folders are all major branches of
your C:\ drive that can be accessed by clicking on Computer->C:\. My C drive
is listed as OS(C
.
Windows Explorer Run As Administrator
Another way to gain access to modify files and folders includes going to the
Start button, typing in Windows Explorer, right-clicking on this and
selecting Run As Administrator. You should then have "elevated privileges"
to do whatever you wish to files in Windows Explorer.
Unlocker Program
There is also a program called Unlocker that you can use to gain access to
modify files and folders.
http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/