No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98SE

[Jim H.]

Here's a problem that Glen Ventura (glee) and Alan Edwards (both MVP's) are
familiar with but the usual solutions they (and Microsoft) have suggested in
former posts just don't seem to work for me.

Multiple problems with my computer occurred after I did a Norton Utility
operation to clean up my slow-running computer. I've solved most of the
problems but a few critical programs still will not run, or run properly
including my Outlook 98 and the Control Panel utility for Add/Remove
programs.

How did I get this far??? Seems that the Microsoft solution for the Outlook
98 problem (Error Message: "An OLE registration error occurred. The program
is not correctly installed. Run Setup again for the program.") requires me to
uninstall IE6 but when I go to the Control Panel Add/Remove utility, the
Install/Uninstall list is completely empty.

So . . . . , according to the Microsoft article at
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q240348/), I opened up my registry and made
a .txt file of
"[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" as
suggested and did the search of all entries for uninstall names and
DisplayNames longer than 63 characters. No names even came close to that
length. Also, there are many entries shown which makes me suspect that
all-in-all, every program I've ever loaded is still shown.

So, where do I go from here?

Below are my basic machine parameters and I can send the .txt file to anyone
who is interested in inspecting it.

It's a self-built machine (back in 1998 and I'm proud to still have it)
including:

Asus Mobo (P2L97)
PII processor
Windows 98SE with all the updates.
Microsoft Office 97
Microsoft Outlook 98
and a lot more crap you will see if you take a look at the .txt file.

As an aside, after this, I'm considering throwing my Norton software
overboard!

Thanks,

Jim Hopkins
.. . . in lovely . . .
Pollock Pines, California

 

[Brian A.]

"Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6137664A-9C12-49D1-9AA8-D5B4D7ED7C28@microsoft.com...
> Here's a problem that Glen Ventura (glee) and Alan Edwards (both MVP's) are
> familiar with but the usual solutions they (and Microsoft) have suggested in
> former posts just don't seem to work for me.
>
> Multiple problems with my computer occurred after I did a Norton Utility
> operation to clean up my slow-running computer. I've solved most of the
> problems but a few critical programs still will not run, or run properly
> including my Outlook 98 and the Control Panel utility for Add/Remove
> programs.

Outlook is part of MSOffice, IIRC MSWord to be specific. Run the Office 97
installation disk and you should have the option to add/remove programs, I can't
recall if it has a repair option. Uninstalling/installing any application in Office
will not remove any data files you created, yet you should still back them up just in
case something goes amiss.

>
> How did I get this far??? Seems that the Microsoft solution for the Outlook
> 98 problem (Error Message: "An OLE registration error occurred. The program
> is not correctly installed. Run Setup again for the program.") requires me to
> uninstall IE6 but when I go to the Control Panel Add/Remove utility, the
> Install/Uninstall list is completely empty.

Have you tried to repair IE?
To repair IE
Click Start>Run, type the following and click Enter, for IE6x: RUNDLL32
SETUPWBV.DLL,IE6Maintenance
Choose the Repair option, and continue.
If the repair says it cannot complete, reinstall Internet Explorer over itself.


>
> So . . . . , according to the Microsoft article at
> (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q240348/), I opened up my registry and made
> a .txt file of
> "[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" as
> suggested and did the search of all entries for uninstall names and
> DisplayNames longer than 63 characters. No names even came close to that
> length. Also, there are many entries shown which makes me suspect that
> all-in-all, every program I've ever loaded is still shown.

See if anything here helps:
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=add/remove+programs+list+is+empty&qt_s=Search+Groups

>
> So, where do I go from here?
>
> Below are my basic machine parameters and I can send the .txt file to anyone
> who is interested in inspecting it.
>
> It's a self-built machine (back in 1998 and I'm proud to still have it)
> including:
>
> Asus Mobo (P2L97)
> PII processor
> Windows 98SE with all the updates.
> Microsoft Office 97
> Microsoft Outlook 98
> and a lot more crap you will see if you take a look at the .txt file.
>
> As an aside, after this, I'm considering throwing my Norton software
> overboard!

I wouldn't use Norton Utilities if you paid me, I do use others but never that one.




--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[glee]

Send me the text file export of your Uninstall key, to:
glen.vee at gmail.com

Does Outlook 98 run at all? When do you get the error?
Does Outlook Express run?

Have you tried inserting your Ofice CD and runing Setup, then choosing a Repair, or
doing an uninstall/reinstall via setup on the CD?

To repair IE6, which is what I would try first rather than uninstalling =>

Click Start>Run, type the following (or copy/paste) and click Enter:
RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE6Maintenance

Choose the Repair option, and continue.

If the repair says it cannot complete, or it does not fix the problem, reinstall
Internet Explorer over itself.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6137664A-9C12-49D1-9AA8-D5B4D7ED7C28@microsoft.com...
> Here's a problem that Glen Ventura (glee) and Alan Edwards (both MVP's) are
> familiar with but the usual solutions they (and Microsoft) have suggested in
> former posts just don't seem to work for me.
>
> Multiple problems with my computer occurred after I did a Norton Utility
> operation to clean up my slow-running computer. I've solved most of the
> problems but a few critical programs still will not run, or run properly
> including my Outlook 98 and the Control Panel utility for Add/Remove
> programs.
>
> How did I get this far??? Seems that the Microsoft solution for the Outlook
> 98 problem (Error Message: "An OLE registration error occurred. The program
> is not correctly installed. Run Setup again for the program.") requires me to
> uninstall IE6 but when I go to the Control Panel Add/Remove utility, the
> Install/Uninstall list is completely empty.
>
> So . . . . , according to the Microsoft article at
> (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q240348/), I opened up my registry and made
> a .txt file of
> "[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" as
> suggested and did the search of all entries for uninstall names and
> DisplayNames longer than 63 characters. No names even came close to that
> length. Also, there are many entries shown which makes me suspect that
> all-in-all, every program I've ever loaded is still shown.
>
> So, where do I go from here?
>
> Below are my basic machine parameters and I can send the .txt file to anyone
> who is interested in inspecting it.
>
> It's a self-built machine (back in 1998 and I'm proud to still have it)
> including:
>
> Asus Mobo (P2L97)
> PII processor
> Windows 98SE with all the updates.
> Microsoft Office 97
> Microsoft Outlook 98
> and a lot more crap you will see if you take a look at the .txt file.
>
> As an aside, after this, I'm considering throwing my Norton software
> overboard!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim Hopkins
> . . . in lovely . . .
> Pollock Pines, California
>

 

[Dan]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec) puts
on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.

<smile>

 

[glee]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info in his
original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than the
backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
> Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
> back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
> and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
> install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec) puts
> on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
> beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
>
> <smile>

 

[Jim H.]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

Yes, Glen, in answer to your offline question, Norton does allow me to
restore what "Clean Sweep" has chucked. Now, please answer which Norton
restore option I should choose:

1. Replace Older Files Only.
2. Replace All Files.
3. Never Replace Files. Only Add New Files.

Last night, I did go ahead and uninstall Office 97 using the uninstall on
the CD-ROM and then reinstalled it and then did an upgrade to Outlook 98. No
effect. Same problems still exist. (Previously, I had done a repair on
Windows 98, too).

I am spending so much time dealing with this problem it is preventing me
form doing anything else. I want my life back.

So . . . does Dan's suggestion mean to backup all my data files and then
reformat my HDD? I'm now willing to do this if you think it's necessary.
Won't really cost me any more time than I've already spent.


--
Jim H.


"glee" wrote:

> heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info in his
> original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than the
> backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> http://dts-l.org/
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
> > Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
> > back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
> > and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
> > install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec) puts
> > on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
> > beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
> >
> > <smile>
>
>

 

[glee]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

I would choose the option to 'replace all files' in order to be sure to get back to
where you were prior to the Nortonizing of your system. The 'replace older files'
only *might* work too, if you have done a lot of updating since the Nortonizing, but
I think I would go with a total replacement.

If that does not fix anything, and it may not now that you have played with things
trying to fix this (and upgraded Outlook also), I would consider the backup, format
and reinstall. Be aware that this route will require that you do a lot of updating
afterwards via Windows Update and also any drivers and so forth. You will need to
I.D. all your hardware ahead of time so you can ensure that you get the right
drivers downloaded after, if you don't have them on CD or floppy.

What I see in your Uninstall key does not look like the problem there will be solved
conventionally and I think the issue is there is something else wrong elsewhere in
your Registry.

If you do want to try manipulating the Uninstall key to find out if anything will
help there prior to formatting and after trying the Norton undo, make sure you have
a copy of your Uninstall key backed up, then open Regedit and delete these Epson
sub-keys under the Uninstall key, along with ALL the sub-keys they contain:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
Printer and Utilities\PrinterDrivers]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
Printer and Utilities\Applications]

Close Regedit and reboot.

See if the Uninstall info is still missing in Add\Remove Programs. If it is still
blank, and your other repairs did not fix anything, I wouldn't waste more time on
it.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7FB0DD4C-10AE-4CC0-B53B-552E0D0392B3@microsoft.com...
> Yes, Glen, in answer to your offline question, Norton does allow me to
> restore what "Clean Sweep" has chucked. Now, please answer which Norton
> restore option I should choose:
>
> 1. Replace Older Files Only.
> 2. Replace All Files.
> 3. Never Replace Files. Only Add New Files.
>
> Last night, I did go ahead and uninstall Office 97 using the uninstall on
> the CD-ROM and then reinstalled it and then did an upgrade to Outlook 98. No
> effect. Same problems still exist. (Previously, I had done a repair on
> Windows 98, too).
>
> I am spending so much time dealing with this problem it is preventing me
> form doing anything else. I want my life back.
>
> So . . . does Dan's suggestion mean to backup all my data files and then
> reformat my HDD? I'm now willing to do this if you think it's necessary.
> Won't really cost me any more time than I've already spent.
>
>
> --
> Jim H.
>
>
> "glee" wrote:
>
>> heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info in
>> his
>> original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than the
>> backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> http://dts-l.org/
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
>> > Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
>> > back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
>> > and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
>> > install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec) puts
>> > on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
>> > beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
>> >
>> > <smile>
>>
>>

 

[Jim H.]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

OK, I did the Norton restore thing. No change.

Then I tried to restore a copy of the registry (.cab file) made just a few
days before I had the problem. The restore operation failed but I don't know
why.

So, it looks like I will have to do a full-up reformat on my boot drive.
I've backed up my entire hard disk to my wife's computer (took me two days as
I kept running into file names too long to copy).

So, now I need a good procedure for installing W95 (from which I will do the
upgrade to W98).

Question? When I boot from a floppy, I can't see my C: drive. In my machine,
I have the following drives:

A: Floppy
B: Floppy
C: 60GB HDD
D: 6 GB HDD
E: CD-ROM R
F: CD/DVD-ROM R/W

However, when I boot from floppy, the 60 GB HDD is missing and the 6 GB HDD
is moved up to C:, the CD-ROM R is moved up to D: and the CD/DVD-ROM R/W is
moved up to E:.

How in the world can I reformat my 60 GB drive if my boot floppy can't see it?

--
Jim H.


"glee" wrote:

> I would choose the option to 'replace all files' in order to be sure to get back to
> where you were prior to the Nortonizing of your system. The 'replace older files'
> only *might* work too, if you have done a lot of updating since the Nortonizing, but
> I think I would go with a total replacement.
>
> If that does not fix anything, and it may not now that you have played with things
> trying to fix this (and upgraded Outlook also), I would consider the backup, format
> and reinstall. Be aware that this route will require that you do a lot of updating
> afterwards via Windows Update and also any drivers and so forth. You will need to
> I.D. all your hardware ahead of time so you can ensure that you get the right
> drivers downloaded after, if you don't have them on CD or floppy.
>
> What I see in your Uninstall key does not look like the problem there will be solved
> conventionally and I think the issue is there is something else wrong elsewhere in
> your Registry.
>
> If you do want to try manipulating the Uninstall key to find out if anything will
> help there prior to formatting and after trying the Norton undo, make sure you have
> a copy of your Uninstall key backed up, then open Regedit and delete these Epson
> sub-keys under the Uninstall key, along with ALL the sub-keys they contain:
>
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
> Printer and Utilities\PrinterDrivers]
>
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
> Printer and Utilities\Applications]
>
> Close Regedit and reboot.
>
> See if the Uninstall info is still missing in Add\Remove Programs. If it is still
> blank, and your other repairs did not fix anything, I wouldn't waste more time on
> it.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> http://dts-l.org/
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:7FB0DD4C-10AE-4CC0-B53B-552E0D0392B3@microsoft.com...
> > Yes, Glen, in answer to your offline question, Norton does allow me to
> > restore what "Clean Sweep" has chucked. Now, please answer which Norton
> > restore option I should choose:
> >
> > 1. Replace Older Files Only.
> > 2. Replace All Files.
> > 3. Never Replace Files. Only Add New Files.
> >
> > Last night, I did go ahead and uninstall Office 97 using the uninstall on
> > the CD-ROM and then reinstalled it and then did an upgrade to Outlook 98. No
> > effect. Same problems still exist. (Previously, I had done a repair on
> > Windows 98, too).
> >
> > I am spending so much time dealing with this problem it is preventing me
> > form doing anything else. I want my life back.
> >
> > So . . . does Dan's suggestion mean to backup all my data files and then
> > reformat my HDD? I'm now willing to do this if you think it's necessary.
> > Won't really cost me any more time than I've already spent.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jim H.
> >
> >
> > "glee" wrote:
> >
> >> heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info in
> >> his
> >> original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than the
> >> backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
> >> --
> >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> >> http://dts-l.org/
> >> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >>
> >>
> >> "Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
> >> > Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
> >> > back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
> >> > and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
> >> > install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec) puts
> >> > on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
> >> > beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
> >> >
> >> > <smile>
> >>
> >>
>
>

 

[Jim H.]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

Well, well, well . . . I've been bitten by the obvious I did not see. I've
just received an email from Alan Edwards (Tasmania), the contents which I
will post below. However, I still do need my questions from my previous post
on how to see my 60 GB HDD from a floppy boot. Now, Alan's email:

Hi Jim,

There are certainly no overlength names but there is an Uninstall subkey
with 67 characters.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
Printer and Utilities\Applications\EPSON USB Printer Driver PnP Setup Tool
for EPSON Stylus Photo 2200]

However, this may not be your problem, as it is a sub-sub-sub key of
Uninstall and may have no effect.

I believe your problem is that some application you installed has added 33
times, the string "DisplayName"=""
I suspect if you go to Add/Remove and scroll the "blank" list, you will see
the entries. (I did when I replaced my keys with yours)

To fix it, merge the attached file Uninstall-jim.reg
It has all the "DisplayName"="" lines removed.
If you have trouble getting a .reg file, let me know and I will zip it.

Let me know how you get on.

....Alan

Tasmania, Australia

----------------------------------

Alan is right. If I do scroll down the Install/Uninstall window, my
installed programs do eventually come in to view. Now, I've got to see if I
can uninstall IE6 to fix my Outlook 98 bomb problem. Stand by.

Jim H.


"Jim H." wrote:

> OK, I did the Norton restore thing. No change.
>
> Then I tried to restore a copy of the registry (.cab file) made just a few
> days before I had the problem. The restore operation failed but I don't know
> why.
>
> So, it looks like I will have to do a full-up reformat on my boot drive.
> I've backed up my entire hard disk to my wife's computer (took me two days as
> I kept running into file names too long to copy).
>
> So, now I need a good procedure for installing W95 (from which I will do the
> upgrade to W98).
>
> Question? When I boot from a floppy, I can't see my C: drive. In my machine,
> I have the following drives:
>
> A: Floppy
> B: Floppy
> C: 60GB HDD
> D: 6 GB HDD
> E: CD-ROM R
> F: CD/DVD-ROM R/W
>
> However, when I boot from floppy, the 60 GB HDD is missing and the 6 GB HDD
> is moved up to C:, the CD-ROM R is moved up to D: and the CD/DVD-ROM R/W is
> moved up to E:.
>
> How in the world can I reformat my 60 GB drive if my boot floppy can't see it?
>
> --
> Jim H.
>
>
> "glee" wrote:
>
> > I would choose the option to 'replace all files' in order to be sure to get back to
> > where you were prior to the Nortonizing of your system. The 'replace older files'
> > only *might* work too, if you have done a lot of updating since the Nortonizing, but
> > I think I would go with a total replacement.
> >
> > If that does not fix anything, and it may not now that you have played with things
> > trying to fix this (and upgraded Outlook also), I would consider the backup, format
> > and reinstall. Be aware that this route will require that you do a lot of updating
> > afterwards via Windows Update and also any drivers and so forth. You will need to
> > I.D. all your hardware ahead of time so you can ensure that you get the right
> > drivers downloaded after, if you don't have them on CD or floppy.
> >
> > What I see in your Uninstall key does not look like the problem there will be solved
> > conventionally and I think the issue is there is something else wrong elsewhere in
> > your Registry.
> >
> > If you do want to try manipulating the Uninstall key to find out if anything will
> > help there prior to formatting and after trying the Norton undo, make sure you have
> > a copy of your Uninstall key backed up, then open Regedit and delete these Epson
> > sub-keys under the Uninstall key, along with ALL the sub-keys they contain:
> >
> > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
> > Printer and Utilities\PrinterDrivers]
> >
> > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
> > Printer and Utilities\Applications]
> >
> > Close Regedit and reboot.
> >
> > See if the Uninstall info is still missing in Add\Remove Programs. If it is still
> > blank, and your other repairs did not fix anything, I wouldn't waste more time on
> > it.
> > --
> > Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> > http://dts-l.org/
> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> > "Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:7FB0DD4C-10AE-4CC0-B53B-552E0D0392B3@microsoft.com...
> > > Yes, Glen, in answer to your offline question, Norton does allow me to
> > > restore what "Clean Sweep" has chucked. Now, please answer which Norton
> > > restore option I should choose:
> > >
> > > 1. Replace Older Files Only.
> > > 2. Replace All Files.
> > > 3. Never Replace Files. Only Add New Files.
> > >
> > > Last night, I did go ahead and uninstall Office 97 using the uninstall on
> > > the CD-ROM and then reinstalled it and then did an upgrade to Outlook 98. No
> > > effect. Same problems still exist. (Previously, I had done a repair on
> > > Windows 98, too).
> > >
> > > I am spending so much time dealing with this problem it is preventing me
> > > form doing anything else. I want my life back.
> > >
> > > So . . . does Dan's suggestion mean to backup all my data files and then
> > > reformat my HDD? I'm now willing to do this if you think it's necessary.
> > > Won't really cost me any more time than I've already spent.
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jim H.
> > >
> > >
> > > "glee" wrote:
> > >
> > >> heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info in
> > >> his
> > >> original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than the
> > >> backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
> > >> --
> > >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> > >> http://dts-l.org/
> > >> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> "Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > >> news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
> > >> > Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
> > >> > back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
> > >> > and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
> > >> > install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec) puts
> > >> > on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
> > >> > beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
> > >> >
> > >> > <smile>
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >

 

[glee]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

Yes, and I passed right over it without realising it would cause the list to be
blank till it was scrolled down the required amount to get past the empty area. I
did not replace my key with yours as Alan did, or I would have most likely seen
that, since there is a scroller on the side of the window.

My apologies for not making the connection and leading you down the wrong path.
Those "DisplayName"="" lines should not have been there.....Thanks to Alan for
entering and paying closer attention to detail.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BD3D335A-391A-456C-959E-85BF92B2D250@microsoft.com...
> Well, well, well . . . I've been bitten by the obvious I did not see. I've
> just received an email from Alan Edwards (Tasmania), the contents which I
> will post below. However, I still do need my questions from my previous post
> on how to see my 60 GB HDD from a floppy boot. Now, Alan's email:
>
> Hi Jim,
>
> There are certainly no overlength names but there is an Uninstall subkey
> with 67 characters.
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
> Printer and Utilities\Applications\EPSON USB Printer Driver PnP Setup Tool
> for EPSON Stylus Photo 2200]
>
> However, this may not be your problem, as it is a sub-sub-sub key of
> Uninstall and may have no effect.
>
> I believe your problem is that some application you installed has added 33
> times, the string "DisplayName"=""
> I suspect if you go to Add/Remove and scroll the "blank" list, you will see
> the entries. (I did when I replaced my keys with yours)
>
> To fix it, merge the attached file Uninstall-jim.reg
> It has all the "DisplayName"="" lines removed.
> If you have trouble getting a .reg file, let me know and I will zip it.
>
> Let me know how you get on.
>
> ...Alan
>
> Tasmania, Australia
>
> ----------------------------------
>
> Alan is right. If I do scroll down the Install/Uninstall window, my
> installed programs do eventually come in to view. Now, I've got to see if I
> can uninstall IE6 to fix my Outlook 98 bomb problem. Stand by.
>
> Jim H.
>
>
> "Jim H." wrote:
>
>> OK, I did the Norton restore thing. No change.
>>
>> Then I tried to restore a copy of the registry (.cab file) made just a few
>> days before I had the problem. The restore operation failed but I don't know
>> why.
>>
>> So, it looks like I will have to do a full-up reformat on my boot drive.
>> I've backed up my entire hard disk to my wife's computer (took me two days as
>> I kept running into file names too long to copy).
>>
>> So, now I need a good procedure for installing W95 (from which I will do the
>> upgrade to W98).
>>
>> Question? When I boot from a floppy, I can't see my C: drive. In my machine,
>> I have the following drives:
>>
>> A: Floppy
>> B: Floppy
>> C: 60GB HDD
>> D: 6 GB HDD
>> E: CD-ROM R
>> F: CD/DVD-ROM R/W
>>
>> However, when I boot from floppy, the 60 GB HDD is missing and the 6 GB HDD
>> is moved up to C:, the CD-ROM R is moved up to D: and the CD/DVD-ROM R/W is
>> moved up to E:.
>>
>> How in the world can I reformat my 60 GB drive if my boot floppy can't see it?
>>
>> --
>> Jim H.
>>
>>
>> "glee" wrote:
>>
>> > I would choose the option to 'replace all files' in order to be sure to get
>> > back to
>> > where you were prior to the Nortonizing of your system. The 'replace older
>> > files'
>> > only *might* work too, if you have done a lot of updating since the
>> > Nortonizing, but
>> > I think I would go with a total replacement.
>> >
>> > If that does not fix anything, and it may not now that you have played with
>> > things
>> > trying to fix this (and upgraded Outlook also), I would consider the backup,
>> > format
>> > and reinstall. Be aware that this route will require that you do a lot of
>> > updating
>> > afterwards via Windows Update and also any drivers and so forth. You will need
>> > to
>> > I.D. all your hardware ahead of time so you can ensure that you get the right
>> > drivers downloaded after, if you don't have them on CD or floppy.
>> >
>> > What I see in your Uninstall key does not look like the problem there will be
>> > solved
>> > conventionally and I think the issue is there is something else wrong elsewhere
>> > in
>> > your Registry.
>> >
>> > If you do want to try manipulating the Uninstall key to find out if anything
>> > will
>> > help there prior to formatting and after trying the Norton undo, make sure you
>> > have
>> > a copy of your Uninstall key backed up, then open Regedit and delete these
>> > Epson
>> > sub-keys under the Uninstall key, along with ALL the sub-keys they contain:
>> >
>> > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
>> > Printer and Utilities\PrinterDrivers]
>> >
>> > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
>> > Printer and Utilities\Applications]
>> >
>> > Close Regedit and reboot.
>> >
>> > See if the Uninstall info is still missing in Add\Remove Programs. If it is
>> > still
>> > blank, and your other repairs did not fix anything, I wouldn't waste more time
>> > on
>> > it.
>> > --
>> > Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> > http://dts-l.org/
>> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >
>> >
>> > "Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> > news:7FB0DD4C-10AE-4CC0-B53B-552E0D0392B3@microsoft.com...
>> > > Yes, Glen, in answer to your offline question, Norton does allow me to
>> > > restore what "Clean Sweep" has chucked. Now, please answer which Norton
>> > > restore option I should choose:
>> > >
>> > > 1. Replace Older Files Only.
>> > > 2. Replace All Files.
>> > > 3. Never Replace Files. Only Add New Files.
>> > >
>> > > Last night, I did go ahead and uninstall Office 97 using the uninstall on
>> > > the CD-ROM and then reinstalled it and then did an upgrade to Outlook 98. No
>> > > effect. Same problems still exist. (Previously, I had done a repair on
>> > > Windows 98, too).
>> > >
>> > > I am spending so much time dealing with this problem it is preventing me
>> > > form doing anything else. I want my life back.
>> > >
>> > > So . . . does Dan's suggestion mean to backup all my data files and then
>> > > reformat my HDD? I'm now willing to do this if you think it's necessary.
>> > > Won't really cost me any more time than I've already spent.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > Jim H.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > "glee" wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info
>> > >> in
>> > >> his
>> > >> original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than
>> > >> the
>> > >> backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
>> > >> --
>> > >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> > >> http://dts-l.org/
>> > >> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> "Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> > >> news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
>> > >> > Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should
>> > >> > he
>> > >> > back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff
>> > >> > together
>> > >> > and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
>> > >> > install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec)
>> > >> > puts
>> > >> > on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
>> > >> > beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
>> > >> >
>> > >> > <smile>
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> >
>> >

 

[glee]

Re: No programs shown in the Install/Uninstall list in Windows 98S

You don't have to install 95 prior to installing 98 just because it is a 98 upgrade
disc....you can do a clean install of 98 from an upgrade CD. When you run setup on
the 98 upgrade CD, setup will see, and tell you, there is no copy of Windows on the
drive. It will then give you the option to provide prooof of ownership of a
qualifying version by asking you to insert the 95 disc in the drive to verify your
chain of ownership. Once setup sees the 95 disc, it will allow you to continue and
do a clean install.

As for not being able to see the 60GB hard drive from a floppy boot, you may have a
drive overlay installed on the drive.

Cannot Access Hard Disk After Booting from Floppy Disk
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/245162

How to Tell If Drive Overlay Program Is Installed in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/186057/EN-US/

However, with the latest info in this thread, you may not need to reinstall anyway.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EA2F9F81-3B89-4B53-B73C-CC4D4E9B1D5D@microsoft.com...
> OK, I did the Norton restore thing. No change.
>
> Then I tried to restore a copy of the registry (.cab file) made just a few
> days before I had the problem. The restore operation failed but I don't know
> why.
>
> So, it looks like I will have to do a full-up reformat on my boot drive.
> I've backed up my entire hard disk to my wife's computer (took me two days as
> I kept running into file names too long to copy).
>
> So, now I need a good procedure for installing W95 (from which I will do the
> upgrade to W98).
>
> Question? When I boot from a floppy, I can't see my C: drive. In my machine,
> I have the following drives:
>
> A: Floppy
> B: Floppy
> C: 60GB HDD
> D: 6 GB HDD
> E: CD-ROM R
> F: CD/DVD-ROM R/W
>
> However, when I boot from floppy, the 60 GB HDD is missing and the 6 GB HDD
> is moved up to C:, the CD-ROM R is moved up to D: and the CD/DVD-ROM R/W is
> moved up to E:.
>
> How in the world can I reformat my 60 GB drive if my boot floppy can't see it?
>
> --
> Jim H.
>
>
> "glee" wrote:
>
>> I would choose the option to 'replace all files' in order to be sure to get back
>> to
>> where you were prior to the Nortonizing of your system. The 'replace older
>> files'
>> only *might* work too, if you have done a lot of updating since the Nortonizing,
>> but
>> I think I would go with a total replacement.
>>
>> If that does not fix anything, and it may not now that you have played with
>> things
>> trying to fix this (and upgraded Outlook also), I would consider the backup,
>> format
>> and reinstall. Be aware that this route will require that you do a lot of
>> updating
>> afterwards via Windows Update and also any drivers and so forth. You will need
>> to
>> I.D. all your hardware ahead of time so you can ensure that you get the right
>> drivers downloaded after, if you don't have them on CD or floppy.
>>
>> What I see in your Uninstall key does not look like the problem there will be
>> solved
>> conventionally and I think the issue is there is something else wrong elsewhere
>> in
>> your Registry.
>>
>> If you do want to try manipulating the Uninstall key to find out if anything will
>> help there prior to formatting and after trying the Norton undo, make sure you
>> have
>> a copy of your Uninstall key backed up, then open Regedit and delete these Epson
>> sub-keys under the Uninstall key, along with ALL the sub-keys they contain:
>>
>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
>> Printer and Utilities\PrinterDrivers]
>>
>> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\EPSON
>> Printer and Utilities\Applications]
>>
>> Close Regedit and reboot.
>>
>> See if the Uninstall info is still missing in Add\Remove Programs. If it is
>> still
>> blank, and your other repairs did not fix anything, I wouldn't waste more time on
>> it.
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> http://dts-l.org/
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Jim H." <JimH@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:7FB0DD4C-10AE-4CC0-B53B-552E0D0392B3@microsoft.com...
>> > Yes, Glen, in answer to your offline question, Norton does allow me to
>> > restore what "Clean Sweep" has chucked. Now, please answer which Norton
>> > restore option I should choose:
>> >
>> > 1. Replace Older Files Only.
>> > 2. Replace All Files.
>> > 3. Never Replace Files. Only Add New Files.
>> >
>> > Last night, I did go ahead and uninstall Office 97 using the uninstall on
>> > the CD-ROM and then reinstalled it and then did an upgrade to Outlook 98. No
>> > effect. Same problems still exist. (Previously, I had done a repair on
>> > Windows 98, too).
>> >
>> > I am spending so much time dealing with this problem it is preventing me
>> > form doing anything else. I want my life back.
>> >
>> > So . . . does Dan's suggestion mean to backup all my data files and then
>> > reformat my HDD? I'm now willing to do this if you think it's necessary.
>> > Won't really cost me any more time than I've already spent.
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Jim H.
>> >
>> >
>> > "glee" wrote:
>> >
>> >> heh....looking at the exported text file Jim sent me, combined with the info
>> >> in
>> >> his
>> >> original post, I'm not sure any kind of repair will be effective, other than
>> >> the
>> >> backup and reinstall routine you mention. We'll see.....
>> >> --
>> >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> >> http://dts-l.org/
>> >> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Dan" <Dan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:5FF4601C-ADCB-41C9-A081-5F93D20F71B6@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Glen, do you think a repair will be enough in this case for Jim or should he
>> >> > back up and later attempt an overinstall and get all program stuff together
>> >> > and back up needed information to do a clean install? I think a clean
>> >> > install will eventually have to happen due to the crap Norton (Symantec)
>> >> > puts
>> >> > on a PC. Norton has been really bad for a while but it was not bad in the
>> >> > beginning but now it is like AOL or worse.
>> >> >
>> >> > <smile>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>