How to TOTALLY uninstall a program from the Registry?

[rocio]

I tried uninstalling Netscape 7.1 from my machine as it
was not working, with the thought of doing a new
installation. So I tried uninstalling from the Control
Panel>Uninstall Progams. However, after running the
unsinstall for that version of Netscape, the following
message showed.
"0: Unsinstall log folder not found
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Netscape\Netscape\7.1b1(en)
\Uninstall\Uninstal Log Folder"

After looking at the Registry>
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Netscape

There are only 2 folders ('Deinstall' and 'Netscape
Navigator') but none in the path mentioned by the warning.

How can I TOTALLY uninstall Netscape, so that I can
reinstall it again? I'm very new to the Registry and all
this kind of 'in-depth' troubleshooting, so if you can
help me, please explain it to me in terms a newbie can
understand. Thanks in advance!

Rocio

 

[Dave Patrick]

Better to get in touch with the application developer. Arbitrarily hacking
the registry will get you in trouble almost every time.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
|I tried uninstalling Netscape 7.1 from my machine as it
| was not working, with the thought of doing a new
| installation. So I tried uninstalling from the Control
| Panel>Uninstall Progams. However, after running the
| unsinstall for that version of Netscape, the following
| message showed.
| "0: Unsinstall log folder not found
| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Netscape\Netscape\7.1b1(en)
| \Uninstall\Uninstal Log Folder"
|
| After looking at the Registry>
| HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Netscape
|
| There are only 2 folders ('Deinstall' and 'Netscape
| Navigator') but none in the path mentioned by the warning.
|
| How can I TOTALLY uninstall Netscape, so that I can
| reinstall it again? I'm very new to the Registry and all
| this kind of 'in-depth' troubleshooting, so if you can
| help me, please explain it to me in terms a newbie can
| understand. Thanks in advance!
|
| Rocio
|

 

[Ndi]

I tried uninstalling Netscape 7.1 from my machine as it

was not working, with the thought of doing a new
installation.

If you just plan to reinstall, just delete the folder and reinstall, it
worked for me. Installing again will overwrite current registry anyway. Just
make sure you have the complete kit and go with the necessary reboots.
Always reboot when reinstalling so the BHOs, handlers and GUI enhancements
get replaced.

 

[rocio]

Ndi,
Thanks for your suggestion, Andrei, I actually tried
reinstalling and then re-starting to no avail. It is very
strange, because I had them working before but at some
point, something must have happened that corrupted the
installation.

When I tried isntalling it again, it seemed that
everything was going ok, except that at the end, there is
no message saying that the installation was a success. But
when trying to open the application using any of the icons
created, it would not open. Nothing will happen.

So after that, I was at least able to totally UNISTALL the
software from the Remove Programs window. Although in the
Registry there was a couple of files related to Netscape
that where still there.

So, that's the story at this point. Thanks anyway for your
suggestion.
Rocio

ps. It was interesting to see your "Brainbench"
connection. I hold my transcript there!

 

[Ndi]

Nothing will happen.

That's bad news, it's most likely that some part of your system has become
corrupted and is not behaving as Netscape is expecting. In this case, you
either give up Netscape or reinstall clean. I assume you'll dump Netscape.

What I can tell you is that Netscape lives though installations, I've seen
tones of times Netscape starts if launched directly from the \Program
files\, so I guess it's down to a dead plugin. Or perhaps some intercepts
build ONLY of IE or a bad intercept for Netscape. Some programs inject both
IE and N (like download accelerators, anti-virus and like) without checking
for a valid install, some relying on the fact that some people use Netscape
without an install.

You'll probably have to install, but for a 2-cent advice you could copy
another installaton from a friend or something like that. It also helps if
you both have the same root drive and install path (c:\winnt, say). This is
not professional advice and not a recommended approach, but it still works
sometimes.

ps. It was interesting to see your "Brainbench" connection

Yes, it's been some 4 years and it's still nice to be there. Too bad they
do that expire thing. My original transcript (http://www.ndi.ro/about.htm)
shrunk to just 3 exams (from 18). I'll catch up.

 

[rocio]

Hello Andrei,
Thank your, you have given me another otpion or idea that
could work, I will find someone that has more or less the
same path and system installation and see what structure
information do they have when it comes to Netscape.

You see, I need to have Netscape working, so I need to
find some way to make it work. I will hate to have to do
a 'clean installation' (I assume you are suggesting of
MSk2). I have made as many clean reinstalls in the last
few weeks as I'm willing to do without going 'nuts'.

So before I do the 'nuts' option, I will try to find a way
to make Netscape works... the good news would be that if I
succeded... I would almost feel like an 'advanced power
user".

Thanks for your time and your lines,

Rocio