I just cannot uninstall realplayer! 1

[deekydoo]

Hello again,

Some time back I made the mistake of installing the free version of Real Player. I have been trying to uninstall it but I get the message: 'uninstall component missing' .

Has anyone got any ideas of how to rid of such software without going through the regular uninstall procedure?

Thanks,

deek

 

[bcastner]

Try:
Go to: Crogram FilesRealRealPlayerSetup
Click on the file: r1pclean.exe
This will uninstall real player. You may see a message telling you it can't do it but after clicking that away it should carry on and uninstall.

 

[linney]

Another two possible methods.

1. Install it again then uninstall?

2. Delete everything to do with Real Player and use a Registry Cleaner to manually remove all entries for it.

Afterward run Ad-aware, SpyBot and Hijack This to remove any other bits and pieces that might have been installed with it.

 

[deekydoo]

Thanks bcastner,

I did the r1pclean.exe thing and it asid 'missing uninstall componet' as before but then it did message that the uninstall was complete. However it is still part installed(even though it won't run now) and main real player files still exist.

Thanks Linney,

I tried the install/uninstall route before without success. I will try the regclean way later.

Deek

 

[deekydoo]

Thanks bcastner,

I did the r1pclean.exe thing and I got the 'missing uninstall component'message as before, but then it did message that the uninstall was complete. However it is still part installed(even though it won't run now) and many real player files still exist.

Thanks Linney,

I tried the install/uninstall route before without success. I will try the regclean way later.

Deek

 

[bcastner]

Now delete c:\program files\real

 

[drk1]

Nothing to add, just had to "vent" a bit.

realplayer and quicktime... I get so tired of seeing them showing up somewhere on the pc.

Regards,

drk1

 

[deekydoo]

Hi Guys,

Well, I've done everying suggested and now I've still got the Real PLayer 'installed' but it doesn'r run (since the software is deleted).

RegClean seemed to work OK and when I ran Norton Utilities Win Docter it sorted many errors in the registry.

Is it worth using RegEdit to check through the registry? I've never used that program before.

I can live with the ghostly installation of Real Player but I would like to get closure on this.


Deek

 

[bcastner]

When you say installed, do you mean it still has an entry in Add/Remove programs?

"Ghost" entries are not unusual and easily removed with the use of regedit:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310750

 

[deekydoo]

HI Bill,

Yes, that is exactly it. The entry is there in add/remove programs - with no bytes used for it. Is regedit easy to use?

Deek

 

[bcastner]

Try it and see. If it seems too much, use the trial version of RegVac to remove the entry:

http://www.brothersoft.com/Utilities_Optimize_Utilities_RegVac_1411.html

 

[linney]

Launch RegEdit and use the Help program as it is your best source of information about RegEdit.
These following links take the subject a bit further too.

310516 - How To Add, Modify, or Delete Registry Subkeys and Values by Using a Registration Entries (.reg) File

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310516&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310426 - How To Use the Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Registry Editor Features

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310426&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

I remember the first time I looked at the Registry and how daunting it all seemed, but with time and plenty of safety nets (see below) it soon becomes as familiar as using Explorer.

If you change a key or value, use the Export function to save a copy of any key prior to your change. You just right-click on the highlighted key to find Export.

To backup the whole Registry for easy re-installation (even from other operating systems or DOS) I recommend this free program.

Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/XP

http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt

 

[deekydoo]

Thanks Linney,

I just took a squint at the registry using Regedit. It has got many many entries relating to Real Player.

Before I start deleting stuff I think I should take time to bone up on what the various registry components do etc. Thanks for your help. I'll re[port back when I've done the various deeds.

Deek