Unistalling McCaffe Problem! HELP

[Alex123]

Hi people.
I've been having an issue with McCafee VirusScan V4.5
When installed it was working properly, then a while later started having problems and it looks it got corrupted.
Then what I am trying to do is to unistall it and trying to install it again.

The problem is that it doesn't let me unistall it, neither re-install it.

My system has become too slow when booting up and an error messege appears everytime it is rebooted.

I am running w2k pro.
Don't know if hardware is important in this case but here I go:
Pcchips m747 Motherboard
Intel Celeron 333Mhz. (I know: Oooolllldddd one!)
96mb memory
integrated 8mb video card
80GB maxtor hd.
Sound blaster card
Etc,

Hope anybody give me any ideas of how to unistall this software, since it didn't work from add/remove programs in control panel, neither trying to reinstall it.

No clue. HELP

Thanks people.

Alex.

[dldz]

Have you tried looking for it in the Control panel/ add remove programs yet ?
It will leave alot of junk in the registry even after you uninstall it get it uninstalled then we can help you with the rest.
HTH
Don

[Alex123]

Thanks Dldz.

Yes, I did tried that, but it doesn't let me do it.

What I am wondering is if is there any third party software (unistaller) that let me do the trick.

More ideas?

[dldz]

You could D/L Eraser And then locate the mcafee folders and right click them and erase them. Is this what you wanted ?
Don

[eldon]

Have you tried putting the mcaffee cd in and then checking if there is a uninstall option on the cd,I have seen a few programs that require the cd in before uninstalling.

[Alex123]

ElDon.
I tried that already.
It gives me an option for "REMOVE" but it also fails.

dldz.
I will try that and post results.

Alex.

[morriswindgate]

ADD/Rmove Plus trial version may be able to do it for you.
http://www.aurelitec.com/software/arplus/
But before you run it shutdown all the McAfee application that are running in the background using Ctrl-Alt-Del.
After you get it uninstalled and all the old McAfee folders deleted, then throw the McAfee disk in the trashcan and use any other AV program.

[Alex123]

Hi people.

Dldz.
I tried Eraser and it looks like it is a file eraser program.
Not a program unistaller.
For me to use it, I would have to know wich files I would have to delete specifically.
When the program installs, who knows what files are created and where. "program files/folder name/etc" Registry and other places. That option; I don't think is viable.


Regarding what Morriswindgate posted, Add/Remove plus it is more like what I am looking for, however when I use it it does exactly the same thing than when I try to unistall it via ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS from the control panel, or when its own unistaller from the cd is used.

I am still stucked with this issue.

Any other help please???

[TwoRails]

Hi Alex123,

That's why I don't like McCafee stuff as they seem to have a long history of install / remove problems. Everytime I've tried one, I've run into similiar problems. The only way I've been sucessfull is to do all the usual stuff, delete the directories, make sure nothing is in the startup folders and MSCONFIG, etc. and some Serious registry hacking removing everything related to the product and any EXE in the folders.

( insert all the usual disclaimers / waivers about editing the registry here...)

TwoRails

[Alex123]

TwoRails
It looks like I will have to go with a manual uninstall.
How would I go in order to achieve this?

Can you give me some tips on how to do it?

Thanks.

Other comments are welcome.

Thanks people.

Alex.

BTW: We are talking about unistalling McCafe Virus Scan V4.5

[dldz]

I just would like to mention how much I agree with morris & two Rails,I thought I got rid of all mcrappy's registry entries on a machine and 2 years later when I worked on it again I found several more i missed. It's right up there with AOL IMO once it's installed it takes over your registry.....like morris said when you get done uninstalling it toss that CD in the garbage.
Don

[Alex123]

Well, thanks for the advise dldz. I will consider it for the future.
However, is there anything that I can do to get rid of it?
Or will I have to make a back up of my important data and format my c: Drive and start all over...

Any solution?

Thanks.

[TwoRails]

Hi Alex123,

First, the disclaimers: You do this at your own risk as very bad things can happen to your system, such as instability and or not even being able to startup, etc. etc.

First, readup on backing up and restoring the Registry, as well as other precautions. I also recommend making a full back, like a Ghost or Drive Image image.

Second, while all this can be done in the Windows Registry Editor (I do it all the time) it does help to have a nicer editor. Norton System Works (if you have it) has a nice one, and there are nice freebies to be downloaded. Ziff Davis (PC Mag) has one, for example.

Also download a copy of Microsofts Registry Cleaner (regclean.exe) and run it before and after.

Now comes the fun part. Go to McCafee's site, as they sometimes list some tips for Manual Uninstall. Next, write down (or print out) all the EXE files in McCafees directory(s), as well as the "friendly names" like the file names and trade names, etc.

Make sure nothing else is running in the background. Turn off all you can. Be offline, antivirus off, etc., etc.

Then search thru the registry for each occurance of all the names and references you wrote down. When something is found, note all items around it for more names / data to search for. Here's the risky part. You'll need to delete something here.... Exactly what is the harder part. If the value found is on the right side, then you have to figure out what the entire contents are of the Key on the left. It may just be the one value on the right, or a whole list. You see when you get in there.

Be careful, because while deleting a value on the right is risky, deleting the key on the left can cause the most trouble. If there are a bunch of things on the right that don't seem to be related, then delete just the value / data (which is on the right). If everything on the right seems to be what you're looking for, then delete the Key on the left. Don't forget to be watching for little things that can be related !! For instance, (I'm making this name up for example) if you run across something like McCafee Utilities Scheduler, or whatever, make note of it and do a total seperate search for it, also.

You'll have to loop thru the registry for each and every item that you think is McCafee related, and you'll have to make a decision on what to delete or not!

It has taken me hours to get rid of stuff before, so do this when you have lots of time and won't be needing your system for a while. Don't forget to plan for time to do the backup (hopefully, you won't need to do the restore part...) AND DO THE BACKUP!!!

Reboot when you done. (more disclaimer stuff: ) It should reboot, but IT MAY NOT, so be prepared!!

Good Luck!! (it's kinda like flashing your BIOS. Very scary until you get use to it, then it's just a little scary )

If I left out anything major (I'm tired from a long day and had a couple of cold ones) I'm sure some one will jump in with more tips or warnings or...

HTH

TwoRails

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by TwoRails Hi Alex123, First, the disclaimers: You do this at your own risk as very bad things can happen to your system, such as instability and or not even being able to startup, etc. etc. ...Now comes the fun part. Go to McCafee's site, as they sometimes list some tips for Manual Uninstall. Next, write down (or print out) all the EXE files in McCafees directory(s), as well as the "friendly names" like the file names and trade names, etc. ...Then search thru the registry for each occurance of all the names and references you wrote down. When something is found, note all items around it for more names / data to search for. Here's the risky part. You'll need to delete something here.... Exactly what is the harder part. If the value found is on the right side, then you have to figure out what the entire contents are of the Key on the left. It may just be the one value on the right, or a whole list. You see when you get in there. Be careful, because while deleting a value on the right is risky, deleting the key on the left can cause the most trouble. If there are a bunch of things on the right that don't seem to be related, then delete just the value / data (which is on the right). If everything on the right seems to be what you're looking for, then delete the Key on the left. Don't forget to be watching for little things that can be related !! For instance, (I'm making this name up for example) if you run across something like McCafee Utilities Scheduler, or whatever, make note of it and do a total seperate search for it, also. You'll have to loop thru the registry for each and every item that you think is McCafee related, and you'll have to make a decision on what to delete or not! It has taken me hours to get rid of stuff before, so do this when you have lots of time and won't be needing your system for a while. Don't forget to plan for time to do the backup (hopefully, you won't need to do the restore part...) AND DO THE BACKUP!!! Reboot when you done. (more disclaimer stuff: ) It should reboot, but IT MAY NOT, so be prepared!! Good Luck!! (it's kinda like flashing your BIOS. Very scary until you get use to it, then it's just a little scary )

Hey Two Rails, or anyone that knows, is this where the value of AShampoo UIWatcher comes in handy? Cuz it's supposed to monitor that huge load of details when installing proggies.
Found here:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...id,8087,00.asp

[TwoRails]

Hi TimPoet and All,

Well.... Yes and No.... The uninstaller you mention has good reviews. I used to run "Uninstaller" programs but gave them up for several reasons: (in no real order)

1) They are just yet another program running and hogging resources.

2) They worked much better in the old days when programs / computers were simpler.

3) They just seem to fall short, way short IMHO, on newer stuff, and especially things like "Suites," "Offices," and just about anything that has more than one program / utility attached to it.... which is just about everything commercial nowadays.

4) They also seem to choke on programs that require a reboot after install, which, again, is just about everything.

5) (redundant I don't know of any that would successfully uninstall things like all the junk that comes with a SoundBlaster card, or video cards, etc...

Some 'uninstallers' don't even track after a reboot. I've even had 'uninstaller' tell me to use the "Suite's" uninstall routine because they can't be properly tracked.

And the scariest part is that most software companies don't have a clue on how to manually uninstall their own product if the uninstall gets botched up! That doesn't give me much confidence.

What I'd like is a program that will give "before and after" shots of the Registry and show only the difference. If you had this info, then I personally don't care if there is a stray .dll somewhere because HD storage is cheap and I got 200 gigs anyway.

I've tried a couple programs that check the Registry, some are really nice, but won't compare after a reboot. Others I've tried that will compare before / after reboot don't work worth a hoot. (Anybody know of any???)

That's just my experience in this, and, since such programs are so popular, I'm sure that others have had more success than I. I'm just saying I've spent a lot of money on such programs to spend anymore since I still wind up doing most of the complicated stuff manually anyway.

(Heck, I still have a copy of the program named, "Uninstaller" when it was named #1 and never installed it. Why? Because a different company bought them out and released the new version (which I didn't figure out until I opened the box up). Give ya three guess who....... Yep, McAfee! )

TwoRails

[GaryRouth]

Just another thought: check the Microsoft downloads website for a program called RegMaid: I believe there is a Win2000 version available. It offers to clean up the Registry, but displays a list of changes and lets you pick and choose what clean up you want.

My syster-in-law called me last month with a system that had McAfee and Win2000 . . . she ended up just re-installing Windows 2000 and then going with Norton. And she's been the head of the network and pc techs at a large corporation for many years now . . .

But every system is different, best of luck to you. Besides, Rails will keep the train rolling. . .
. . . Gary

[TwoRails]

Hi GaryRouth and All,

Nice piece of info, GaryRouth! I use RegClean all the time as part of maintenance, but wasn't hip to RegMaid

I did a quick search as suggested and RegMaid can be found here.

Haven't tried it yet, but will shortly

~~~~~~~~~~~

OK, hold on!!!! The above link is for the source code only!! I guess you have to have C++ to compile and run it. I searched again and that is the only ref I could find for RegMaid...

Anyone find a compiled version?? I can't

TwoRails

[GaryRouth]

Hi all

Rails, if you downloaded from the "C++.6.0" link, it should have contained an executable RegMaid.exe I believe it's there ready to go. Like RegClean, I don't believe there's any "installation" procedure: you just extract it to a folder you've named for it (RegMaid Files, etc) and double-click on the file - or create a shortcut to the executable and click that. Truth is, I've seen it recommended many times, but haven't had to use the Win2k version (I use RegClean with Win9x boxes - haven't needed a Registry cleaner for Win2k yet . . . and I use regedit a bunch for little tasks)

Let me know if that RegMaid executable works or not.
. . . Gary

_______
[p.s. ...Update: since I don't have a Win2k box available at the moment, I just downloaded and ran the same RegMaid from Rail's link on this Win98 2nd Ed. machine: works OK when it's executable is doubleclicked. Has a bunch of different views: check out the .hlp help files= this is the sort of download where to make it look better you can create shortcuts and put them in your System Tools menu - makes life a lot easier: as long as you don't have adventurous folks who share your computer & might monkey with the program - in that case, you might want to leave it hidden away in it's folder]

[TwoRails]

Hi GaryRouth,

I just tried it again. There are two links on that page (linked above) and I tried the other one this time. Same thing.... The .exe expands into about 90 files in 3 directories.



TwoRails

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Rails - the first RegMaid.exe unpacks the files, then there's another one in the folder "Release" that has the application itself. Sorry I wasn't clear. The help files are in that Release folder, too.

. . . Gary

[TwoRails]

Hi GaryRouth,

You were more than clear - The problem, I'm sure, is on my end. I must not be getting the right RegMaid.exe. I went back again and downloaded it from the second link on the page (linked in the post above).

After expanding / extracting the RegMaid.exe (it's auto-extracting) I came up with the identical same stuff:

1) in the root directory, 46 source code files with extentions like: .h, .cpp, .txt, etc. There are no .exe files.

2) In the 1st of 2 sub-directories, labeled "hlp," is 36 files: mostly .bmp's but other extentions like: .hlp, .hpj, .rtf, etc. No .exe's.

3) The last directory, labeled "res," (resource, I believe) has 6 files: 3 .ico, 2 .bmp, 1 rc2. No .exe's.

I did a search again, but that was the only place I found with RegMaid on it... I must be missing something.... Sorry.

TwoRails

(PS: this is take two!! I was in the middle of replying (spelling?) last night when my system blew up, so I quit for the night. I find it amazing that, without exageraton, I consistantly blowup while at MicroSoft's sites! Last night, while at MS, my Firewall went nuts and I tried to kill IE, but my system locked up instead...)

[GaryRouth]

Alex - any luck yet?

Rails - I finally got my cup of coffee for the morning, and it's already afternoon! Been busy. I looked at the files that extracted just now for RegMaid. The C++ 6.0 versions extracted a RegMaid folder with three subfolders: hlp, Release, and res. Sounds like you just see the hlp and res subfolders? The Regmaid.exe executable is in the Release subfolder. Try extracting the file with WinZip and see if you get the Release subfolder nested under the RegMaid folder - maybe the self-extractor isn't working properly on that download: I use WinZip 8 by default. Interesting, especially since your system went on a soma holiday shortly thereafter! ("soma holiday" is from Brave New World). . . . And to tell you the truth, after playing with RegMaid for a while, it doesn't seem as thorough as RegClean, but that's just an impression. Too bad there's not a Win2k version of RegClean, that's a nice program. Of course Norton has a Registry Cleaner, but then that's not free, either.

I'll check back after more boring work here at the lab.
. . . Gary

[hmm...one more post script before my break ends: the .Net version probably works a bit differently, since your pc would need to have the whole .Net environment installed already - which if I remember right it a pretty hefty download. Try the C++ 6.0 version again - it's the link closer to the top of that webpage]

[TwoRails]

Well, you were right-on as usual, GaryRouth !!

It was an extraction error, but closer to an operator error. I was telling it where I wanted the files put; apparently it didn't like that. When I let it do it's own thing, it worked like a charm.

I see what you mean about RegMaid. I've only breifly looked at it but first impression is: not impressed too much...

Thanks for the assist !!

TwoRails