Remove MSDE 1

[SpiderBear6]

Does anyone know of an app or a way to totally remove MSDE from a machine? I tried to run the uninstall (Add/Remove Programs) but I got an "Instance name is not valid" error. The machine has two instances of MSDE on it - the default one and a named one. The named one was installed via merge modules in an app. I uninstalled the app and it has left the machine in a mess. Usually each instance of MSDE has an entry in the Add/Remove programs, but only the default instance shows up.

Can anyone help me, please - there are stars on offer for this one - yes I am that deparate that I have gone to this level.

 

[JayKusch]

Give this a whirl ...


To remove all known instances of SQL Server, follow these steps:

1. Locate, and then delete the %drive%:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Binn folder.

2. Locate, and then delete these registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server

3. Locate, and then delete these registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SQLSERVERAGENT
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServerADHelper

4. The three registry keys in step 3 correspond to the default instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2000. Named instances appear similar to those listed in step 3, along with $instance_name, because instance_name is the name given to your particular instance. After you locate the correct keys for the instance you are removing, select those keys, and then delete them.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServer$InstanceName
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SQLSERVERAGENT$InstanceName
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSSQLServerADHelper$InstanceName


Let me know if this help ...



Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[SpiderBear6]

That's great... thanks.