Hi

I cannot uninstall certain programs. Namely Norton. It says that Window Installer isn't working. I do have it but it is stopped and I have totally no idea how to get it running. Also, in msconfig I have two files with empty squares in them and again no idea how to get rid of them.

There's the other problem with disk D recovery--I have free 974mb and used 455 gb. In other words its on overload and I have no idea how to recitify it.

The computer is HP--I cannot talk to them no idea why and running XP.

Thanks for any help.

Mary

What is the exact HP model & #?

What version of Norton? Norton quite often needs to be manually uninstalled.
Instructions depend on version & program.

There is also a program deletion option among many other usefull tools included in Ccleaner: http://www.ccleaner.com/

Drive D: if HP recovery partition should be as it is. It should neither grow nor shrink in size.

Do you take all Critical Updates? There was a new version of Windows Installer issued on April 12. You can find it at Windows Update.

The items in msconfig can be cleared via:

These values are stored in the Registry. Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT to access these keys and values:


For items that were in the Start menu, Programs, Startup folder:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupfolder. You'll find a subkey for each disabled item.


For items loaded from the Registry:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. Again, you'll find a subkey for each disabled item.


If the item has been disabled (unchecked), then it wasn't removed at uninstall because it wasn't where the uninstaller expected to find it:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services

Altering system files; & or modifying the registry can be risky and D-A-L.com and its members cannot accept liability for any adverse effects caused by following advice freely given on this site.

Hi

Its Norton 2003. Can't afford to renew it (and yes it does make me wonder).

If you mean the Critical Updates as in MS Pack 2. No sorry didn't do that because of some programs on my computer that a mailing list I am on says it did nasty stuff to.

Thanks for all your help. I'm rather nervous about touching stuff in registry.

Mary

Manually uninstalling Norton also requires editing the registry.

Just do a back up first & you should be fine:

Making a Backup of the Registry

A quick way to make a backup of your registry is to select File > Export from the menu of the registry editor. You can choose to save the complete registry, or only the key you whish to make changes to.

However, this isn't fail save. The best way is to create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) disk. For more information, type Automated System Recovery in the Search box on Windows XP's Help and Support Center (click Help and Support on the Start menu).


Removing Norton SystemWorks 2003 from Windows 2000/XP after Add/Remove Programs does not work

You should search the web sites of your questionable programs as to SP2.
Many had conflicts when it was first released but by now all manufacturers should have addressed their issues.

All Critical Updates should be installed & this includes SP2 plus additional updates including the latest Windows Installer.

Hope this helps.


Altering system files; & or modifying the registry can be risky and D-A-L.com and its members cannot accept liability for any adverse effects caused by following advice freely given on this site.

Hi

Hope this goes through. Tried what you suggested. Problems:

I can go to run, regedit fine but I don't see Start menu Programs, Startup folder (most importantly I cannot see startup folder anywhere).

I DID find the HKEY-LOCAL-MACHINE.....and the startupfolder there. It says

AB icon the (default) REG-SZ value not set

The same for the startupreg. Did not see subkey at all. I did go to system I think and I did see Window Installer so I KNOW its there.

Thanks for any help.

Mary Ann

I take it you are refering to this:

These values are stored in the Registry. Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT to access these keys and values:


For items that were in the Start menu, Programs, Startup folder:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupfolder. You'll find a subkey for each disabled item.


For items loaded from the Registry:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. Again, you'll find a subkey for each disabled item.


If the item has been disabled (unchecked), then it wasn't removed at uninstall because it wasn't where the uninstaller expected to find it:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\services

If you have unchecked boxes in msconfig & still have the program installed (i.e. just not starting up automatically) then they will be listed in the above folders. In other words you installed these programs to start with windows & at some point you turned them off in msconfig. Hence the blank box remains.
If you have not done this then there will be nothing in those folders.
To open folders click the "+".

These are all under the folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mi*crosoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\

I am not sure what you mean by:

I did go to system I think and I did see Window Installer so I KNOW its there.

What I was mentioning was that a new version of Windows Installer was released on April 12 & would be available at Windows Update.

Hi

I did some investigating and found this out

When I went to run and typed in services.msc and found Window Installer and clicked on it it said the system cannot find the path specified.

Then I ran a search and found Window Installer on my desktop (thats where HP said to put it) and in Windows: Prefetch. I know nada but I would think what needs to happen is to somehow get the Windows Installer in another file where the systepm can find the path specified. The question is how?

Mary

This is where it belongs:

C:\WINNT\system32\msiexec.exe /V

Or C:\Windows\system32\msiexec.exe /V

I have no idea what HP gave you. I would suggest going to Windows Update & downloading:
Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Hi

Did as you said. There is now the msiexec.exe N in system32. Now when I went to service.msc and clicked on Window Installer to start I got the message:

Error 997: Overlapped I/O operation in progress.

Is it okay if I delete (which really won't get really deleted until I can take off the Norton package) the other Windows Installers?

Mary

Are you saying that you downloaded the latest Windows Installer from Windows Update?

Where are you seeing other Windows Installers?

___________________________________
Just to clarify your Norton issues: Do you have just Norton AntiVirus 2003 or do you have Norton System Works 2003?

The Error 997: Overlapped I/O operation in progress could be in reference to a Backup program running in the background.
GoBack & or the Protected Recycling Bin.

I would suggest removing Norton manually & then try to resolve your Windows Issues via Updates.

If you have Norton System Works:
Removing Norton SystemWorks 2003 from Windows 2000/XP after Add/Remove Programs does not work

If you just have Norton AniVirus:
How to uninstall Norton AntiVirus 2003 or Norton AntiVirus 2003 Professional Edition