Really Weird Un-install Problem

[fifi]

I have two problems un-installing 2 programs form Windows 2000 "Add and Remove Programs" Everytime I tried it says "An installation support file could not be installed" "Access Denied". Well I logged on as Admin with all access rights assigned. I also get the same message when I tried to re-install the the software. I have never seen anything like this. Any help is appreciated.

[rjfvillarosa]

Access Denied implies that the file is in use, have you attempted to uninstall the application in safemode?

[fifi]

RJ thanks for the post. Yes I tried to uninstall in safe mode. No luck. Same error. Also tried to re-install in safe mode. Same result.

[rjfvillarosa]

Reinstalling in safemode probably would not work because windows installer would not be running.
Try these two "MyUninstaller" from www.nirsoft.net scroll down the page a bit it is there, or "Easycleaner" from toniarts http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/R...yCleaner.shtml
Easycleaner has a built in uninstaller as well as a few other usefull utilities.

[macko72]

Try to look in process tree in task manager and to stop process of program you are trying to uninstall!!!

[fifi]

Thanks all. The two programs have no entry in the task manager services. They dont have any service running. I installed MyUninstall. It listed the program but when I selected uninstall it came backk with the same error I was getting from the W2K Add/Remove programs. I could not get Easy Cleaner to install. It came back with Unhandled Exception during installation with error 0X80040706. The problem continues. I may have ot resort to reformat HD and clean this PC. I hate to do that because it has all my program development SW.

[macko72]

http://www.soft32.com/download_8359.html
You can try this uninstaller but I don't know what funcionality has trial version because I have full version and it's great.(but I'm sure that will help you)!!!

[fifi]

Advance un-installer did the same. Returned same error. I screwed up by force removing it. Now the prog is still there but not shown on the Add/Remove prog. Now its really screwed. The funniest thing is that it wont let me re-install the program. It comes back with the same access denied messasge. All the installation files are not read only.

[Statica]

If you are familiar with checking access rights to files, then this should be along the similar lines - if you need clarification try posting back here.
Check the registry (regedit) and search for instances of the program. When you arrive at any one instance for example: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ProgramName1 select the key and go to EDIT > PERMISSIONS.
Make sure that you have read/write permissions to the registry key as well. It might be the cause of the issue.

[fifi]

I found many instances of the SW in the registry but there is no way in registry "edit" menu to see the permission and assign rights. Mya be I need a little more clarificaiton. I dont understand why it wont let me re-install the prog. I get the same access denial either way.

[fifi]

One additional piece of info: I had originally installed this prog Thursday last week and un-install it because I didnt need it anymore. But now I realized i need it but it wont re-install. I didnt have any problem when I un-install last week. I dont really think its the prog because as I said earlier there some other prog I couldnt install this morning (Easy clean etc). I think this is a W2K user rights issue. All the rights are wide open for admin in user acces rights in W2k. Any help is appreciated.

[Statica]

Oops Win2k .. try using regedt32.exe to view permissions on the keys.

[macko72]

I will tell you what I've done in same situation maybe not with same programs but with same situation.
I enter registry editor delete program(s) from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE and from HKEY_CURRENT_USER/software then manualy delete folders of programs in Program Files(or where ever thei are installed) and then manualy find them in WINDOWS/Prefetch folder (if they are there) and delete them. Sounds complicated and it is be aware when editing registry don't make mistake!!!

[fifi]

Thanks, That works. I found many instances of the SW but all have full control access for admin. I really think this is admin user setting issues. I have just reviewed the ad rights comparing with another pc that works OK. I cant even open the disk manager right now. It comes up with access denied.

[fifi]

Is there other places in W2K that user access rights and settings may be changed or affected other than local user and security facilties. Because the settings on seems OK when looking at the local setting. The admin login is local.

[fifi]

Just finish re-installing W2K (not fresh install). While doing that converted to NTFS from FAT32. Still the same access denied issue. Just an update.

[mystvearn]

I have the same kind of problem.
I installed premier 1.5 then the pc crashed nearly completion, tried to use premier, error, tried to uninstall it, I could not. I tried this tip
http://www.pcmech.com/newsletter/viewtip.php?tipid=144
but it did not work. I manually deleted the files, and the start shourtcut menu. Now how am I going to remove the uninstall option in the add remove programs?