ISTech Support Forum

ISTech Support Forum
http://www.istechforum.com/YaBB.pl
Evo-ERP and DBA Classic >> Installation >> having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
http://www.istechforum.com/YaBB.pl?num=1116020034

Message started by vicki on 05/13/05 at 13:33:54

Title: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by vicki on 05/13/05 at 13:33:54

Hi everyone,

We have a problem with uninstalling Pervasive on a machine. we ran the cleanup utility off the DBA CD. But when we go to reinstall the system, it still thinks Pervasive is on the machine and gives us the option of repair or remove.

We seem to be in a loop. Can anyone give me a clue on what Im doing wrong?

Vicki

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by Danimal on 05/13/05 at 14:04:27

I've neither heard of nor tried the cleanup utility from the DBA CD, so I'm not actually sure what it does. Did you try to remove Pervasive using the Add/Remove Programs function in Windows' control panel? If not, and it's still listed, give that a shot. If all else fails, what I like to do is just rebuild the machine, reinstall Windows and rest of your software - just backup your files first! HTH ;)

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by aricon on 05/13/05 at 21:01:08

Did you reboot after using the clean utility?

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by vicki on 05/14/05 at 06:39:57

to respond #2: Yes still thinks it's there :(
to respond #1: Hope I dont have to do this :o

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by aricon on 05/14/05 at 07:00:46

OK, if it is still showing in Add/Remove Programs, you can try to remove it from there. Likely won't work though.

If it does not work, or if it is not showing there, I would re-install and then use the more complete removal method which is:

1) Remove through add/remove programs in control panel. Say no to prompts that come up about removing registry entries and such.

2) Re-boot.

3) Run the Clean utility and remove ALL components.

4) This will usually leave the PVSW folder with a couple of files. You should be able to manually delete these through Windows Explorer either before or after a re-boot.

5) Either way, re-boot.

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by vicki on 05/16/05 at 12:58:04

We did this several times. The clean utility does not remove all the registry entries for Pervasive SQL because after reboot, when attempting a clean install, the installer says that a copy of Pervasive SQL exists on the machine and only gives the option to repair or remove the existing installation. But there is no existing installation because the PVSW folder and common registry entries have already been deleted by the clean utility. :'(

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by aricon on 05/16/05 at 14:20:18

Well, must say that I have used the method I outlined MANY times on stand-alone AND server installs as well as client installs and have not had that problem. Best I could recommend then would be (sorry for this) wipe the machine and rebuild.

By the way is this an NT box or W2K or later?

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by Kelloggs on 05/16/05 at 14:45:03

No need to rebuild your machine

use Registry Mechanic. It will clean up your "bad" register entries.

https://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/

ciao,

Kelloggs

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by aricon on 05/16/05 at 15:57:57

I do not agree. The fact that a system is not properly responding to removal commands indicates that it is not stable anyway. And an unstable server begs to be rebuilt. And registry "cleaners" can often identify "false positives" as it were, and you end up removing stuff you should not unless you are experienced at working in the registry.

For non-sysadmin's these tools are often dangerous and it should not be a recommended solution. Particularily as the symptom is indicative of likely systemmic problems rather than purely application specific.

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by Danimal on 05/17/05 at 06:19:37

Funny... you could have had the machine fixed by now if you would have just counted your losses and rebuilt the machine as in my original response. What does it take - two, maybe three hours tops depending on processor speed and the amount of installation software? Seriously, there is nothing to be afraid of in performing the task, and if you are at all, just hire a professional - that's what they're there for. Good luck! ;)

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by David Waldmann on 05/17/05 at 10:41:37

Danimal wrote:

What does it take - two, maybe three hours tops depending on processor speed and the amount of installation software?

I recently replaced my personal workstation. All of my data files are on a file server, so all I did was install and configure my applications. I didn't get it done in a whole Saturday.

Not that anyone here can do anything about it, but I sincerely wish that all applications would use the same configuration file locations. It would make this kind of thing a whole lot easier.

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by aricon on 05/17/05 at 11:48:28

Sorry David, I generally agree with Dan. And a network person can do a workstation, including configuration and file reloads, generally in 3 hours. If there are a LOT of apps, maybe 5 at the outside. And if users are trained to use the MS Office "Save My Settings" wizrard and save everything to an .ops file, then one of the more onerous chores (re-storing the Office programs the way that user likes them) can also be a 5 second task of restoring from that .ops file.

Now assuming that Vicki is on a Server, then that is NOT a 3 hour task even for a REALLY good pro, with every install CD sitting beside the server. It IS an all day process even for a pro. But, as I said, if things like this are happening, then it points to a server install that has become unstable. And therefore should be re-built.

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by David Waldmann on 05/17/05 at 13:07:36

aricon wrote:

I generally agree with Dan...

:-X

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by Danimal on 05/17/05 at 13:57:25

Well said, Lorne. However, you know what they say about assumptions... ;D Two key questions have not been asked or answered yet - whether it is a workstation or server that is having the (un)install problem - and what was the reason for performing the (un)install in the first place? Then again, they are irrelevant, as the problem still exists and must be resolved regardless.

Yes, servers do take a bit more time to setup, but that all depends on what you are running and how much you need to configure as well. I had upgraded our server last year starting with new raw components, put them together, installed and configured the software. Was nice to have a fresh start on a much faster machine.

Anyway, if you go forward with the rebuild, I would recommend creating a Ghost image when you're done, and save yourself some time in the event this happens again. Don't know if any of this is any help to you Vicki, but again, best of luck to you. ;)

Title: Re: having trouble uninstalling Pervasive
Post by vicki on 05/19/05 at 14:39:29

Thanks everyone. Oh by the way it was my tech who asked about this. Just for your information its a workstation that is 3.01gm with 317mb free. running windows 2000 do you think that this maybe the problem?
:-/