[tealbingy]

My system is a Dell Inspiron 518 desktop running Windows Vista Home Premium, 64 bit. The Roxio Creator DE 10.2 was preinstalled by Dell. I decided to uninstall this unused program, following carefully the instructions on the Roxio website, which includes editing registry keys and deleting hidden files.

I was left with startup glitches: two previously used programs "configuring" at every startup, my Dell Dock missing language files, my McAfee Security Center giving a "system is at risk" popup which immediately becomes "system is protected" when I click on "technical assistance".

I have searched this site's forums, and find that use of Revo Uninstaller is often recommended for uninstall problems. However, my question is this: is there any reason that I could not simply use the Roxio Creator 10.2 DE installation disk that came with the system to put it back on the hard drive? Or would the fact that my uninstall was not "clean" cause even more problems?

Many thanks for any help you can give!

[Car54]

Hi tealbingy, and welcome

My first thought is to try System Restore, and if that doesn't work, going into Safe Mode and trying "Last Known Good Configuration" to bring your PC to the point before the Uninstall and the related issues. We may end up using the disc to reinstall and try a more simple uninstall approach, but for now, lets try the above.

[tealbingy]

Car 54 - great username - I actually remember the show!

I've tried System Restore, and it did not help. I looked up Last Known Good Configuration through Microsoft, and they recommend it only if the current start did not work, but the last start before it was correct. I'm a good number of starts past that point, alas.

When you mentioned using the disk, were you referring to the Roxio disk? Is it possible that using it to install the same program that I deleted might work, despite the "unclean" uninstall?

I deeply appreciate your kind reply!

[Car54]

Thanks for trying and looking into my above suggestions, and yes, it was a classic show with Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis

My thought is yes, in trying to reinstall the Roxio from the disc, it won't cause any more problems in that if it installs w/o any error pop ups, we would just fore go their instructions and use Programs and Features to remove Roxio, and leave whatever registry keys(that may be more of an issues in causing problems) be as they are. Otherwise it just won't install, and give you an error message. I've had a Dell with Roxio, and that was one of the most finicky software to uninstall and reinstall that I've used, you're not alone. If you want to use Revo Uninstaller you could, but that will also ask you about deleting certain files and reg. keys also. For now lets try reinstalling it.

If you're concerned, you could also create a System Restore point first.

"Update", if we could get it to install correctly, maybe we could just leave it on your PC? It is not a background running process, and would only be taking up space.

This post has been edited by Car54: 04 October 2010 - 12:59 PM

[tealbingy]

Thanks, Car 54, I will try the disc and see what happens. It probably won't be until tomorrow - this is the only computer in the house and it is homework time for a high schooler. I'll keep you posted!

[tealbingy]

Oh, and I am familiar with creating a restore point. Thanks for the reminder to do so!

[Car54]

No problem, family comes first You're welcome

This post has been edited by Car54: 04 October 2010 - 01:01 PM

[tealbingy]

Car 54 - I was getting ready to create my restore point in advance of trying to use the Roxio install disc, when I decided to look back at the Roxio uninstall instructions which I had printed. Roxio had me proceed in this order:

Disable startup/virus protection/spyware protection.

Use Add and Remove programs to uninstall Roxio (got a wizard to do so).

In Folder and Search options, show Hidden Folders. Deleted several named folders in the C drive.

***Edit registry - I did, at that time and per their instructions, save a copy of the Registry before I edited it. Would restoring the registry using that file possibly resolve my problems - or cause more because more "pieces of Roxio" would be floating around?

FYI, Here are Roxio's instructions that I originally used concerning the registry -

"5.Remove these keys from the registry:

WARNING: THE NEXT STEP INVOLVES EDITING YOUR SYSTEM REGISTRY. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU EXPORT YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY EDITING. EDITING YOUR REGISTRY INCORRECTLY CAN CAUSE IRREPARABLE SYSTEM DAMAGE.

To export a copy of your registry, please do the following
◦Click on Start --> Type "regedit" in the Search field and press Enter on your keyboard.
◦Locate and left click File in the upper left hand corner of the Registry editor.
◦Click Export (Export range "All" should be selected).
◦Choose a location on your hard drive and give the file a name.
◦Click Save. Your registry should now be backed up in a .reg file to the location you specified


Registry Edit instructions for HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder:


◦Click on Start --> Type "regedit" in the Search field and press Enter on your keyboard.
◦Double-click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder this will expand or open the folder.
◦Locate the Software folder.
◦Locate the Roxio folder.
◦Right click on Roxio and click delete.
◦Do the same for the Sonic folder (if present).
◦Close the HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder.


Registry Edit instructions for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder:


◦Double-click the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder this will expand or open the folder.
◦Locate the Software folder
◦Locate the Roxio folder
◦Right click on Roxio and click delete.
◦Do the same for the Sonic folder (if present. WHICH IN MY CASE, IT WAS NOT).
◦Close the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder."

So... go ahead and try to reinstall from the disc, or try restoring the registry from the file which I created?

P.S. I never cease to be amazed by the kindness of strangers on internet forums - I've had people help me fix appliances, give me valid legal advice, find obscure car parts, and now you're willing to help me try to resolve this issue. I do pay it forward, in that I belong to an advice forum on a topic for which I have a good deal of knowledge and experience - but computer issues obviously isn't it! Whatever happens, I deeply appreciate your helpfulness!

[Car54]

Your welcome teal, and thank you for your kind words.

Those instructions are helpful (good for you, you are very through), as my thought would be to restore your backed up registry, for 2 reasons:
1) It may fix the issues listed in your 1st post, in which case I would call it a day.
2) Sometimes when you delete registry keys, and it doesn't go as planned, and you try to reinstall the software, that "corrupted" registry may bring back an install error. This way if it's clean, and we need to reinstall Roxio, it will "see" all is well (hopefully) and overwrite (not sure, may double up on them?) the reg keys.

So after restoring your backed up Reg. and seeing if #1 happens, I would then try the reinstall of Roxio.

If I don't get back to you until tonight, that's because I'm self employed, and it is going to be a long day.

This post has been edited by Car54: 05 October 2010 - 06:47 AM

[Car54]

Teal, I had to run and do a pick up but forgot to mention to restart your PC after the you restore your Registry.

[Car54]

tealbingy, on 05 October 2010 - 04:05 AM, said:

So... go ahead and try to reinstall from the disc, or try restoring the registry from the file which I created?

Sorry I missed that, and didn't answer that properly. Restore your registry from the back up you made before your uninstall that Roxio suggested. Then if we need to, will install from the disc, as chances are the Roxio file will be corrupted from the previous uninstall process.

This post has been edited by Car54: 05 October 2010 - 08:15 AM

[tealbingy]

Car 54, I just was able to sit down to try the registry import from just prior to the Roxio uninstall when I had a thought - is it prudent/possible to also export the current registry just in case the import makes for more problems? I've done some searching, and can't find any info that says whether or not more than one registry export can exist at a time as a separate file. (I know that separate files can exist for System Restore points, that's why I thought perhaps it would be true for a registry export, also.)

Any opinion? I do appreciate that you've taken time out of your busy day already!

[Car54]

tealbingy, on 05 October 2010 - 09:26 AM, said:

Car 54, I just was able to sit down to try the registry import from just prior to the Roxio uninstall when I had a thought - is it prudent/possible to also export the current registry just in case the import makes for more problems? I've done some searching, and can't find any info that says whether or not more than one registry export can exist at a time as a separate file. (I know that separate files can exist for System Restore points, that's why I thought perhaps it would be true for a registry export, also.)

Any opinion? I do appreciate that you've taken time out of your busy day already!

Lunch time, coffee time

No, I'm not familiar of a second Reg. back up, or have heard of it being routinely done. System Restore, as you mentioned might be that safety net. You could wait to see if others here have done that, or if you would just be backing up a corrupted Reg. due to the Roxio uninstall issues.

[tealbingy]

Thanks - I just posted that question about more than one registry export file to Microsoft, since it is their program and still supported on my version of Vista. I'll see what they have to say - although I think that you're right in saying that I could create a Restore Point which would keep all of the current settings, however annoying they are. Obviously, I'm very cautious at this point - don't want to create more problems!

Thanks for sticking with me on this - I WILL let you know what transpires, if/when I get an answer (hope it is in plain old American English - I find it very hard to make foreign call center people understand my issue or communicate effectively their response!).

And you can bet that once this is over that I will never mess with the registry again, even with a software manufacturer's instructions!

[Car54]

tealbingy, on 05 October 2010 - 10:13 AM, said:

Thanks - I just posted that question about more than one registry export file to Microsoft, since it is their program and still supported on my version of Vista. I'll see what they have to say - although I think that you're right in saying that I could create a Restore Point which would keep all of the current settings, however annoying they are. Obviously, I'm very cautious at this point - don't want to create more problems!

No problem, feel comfortable about what you're doing, and as you go about this, you are learning more about PCs than you knew last week, just in a crash course sort of way

tealbingy, on 05 October 2010 - 10:13 AM, said:

And you can bet that once this is over that I will never mess with the registry again, even with a software manufacturer's instructions!

I hear you, been there, done that, got the T Shirt

[tealbingy]

Car 54 - It has been about two weeks since I last posted, and I do apologize for the delay. Our extended family has had a couple of medical emergencies that have caused us to put plenty on the back burner, including this issue.

To update you, I got back to this issue today. I decided to first set a System Restore Point. I then started the Registry Import from my saved copy from just before the Roxio uninstall.

The Registry Import ran for a while, and then I got a pop up telling me that some of the registry keys were in use and the restore could not be completed successfully. Am I correct in thinking that this could be due to the start menu items and my McAfee, which also begins to run at startup? I'm thinking that I'll need to disable the start menu items and the McAfee (and turn off the modem, of course).

If I need to do that, do I restore the start items and McAfee before I restart the computer - or restart first, just after the registry import (hopefully) completes. I'd really appreciate your opinion on this, if you have the time to respond.

Thanks!

[Car54]

Hi tealbingy and welcome back. Sorry to hear about the medical issues, I hope everyone is alright.

To be honest I've not encountered that situation before, and instead of trying to fake my way through it, I will PM one of the Mods. here and see if his experience can guide you through the rest of the way. Sorry I couldn't totally resolve this for you.

Scott

[coastie65]

tealbingy, on 19 October 2010 - 08:50 AM, said:

Car 54 - It has been about two weeks since I last posted, and I do apologize for the delay. Our extended family has had a couple of medical emergencies that have caused us to put plenty on the back burner, including this issue.

To update you, I got back to this issue today. I decided to first set a System Restore Point. I then started the Registry Import from my saved copy from just before the Roxio uninstall.

The Registry Import ran for a while, and then I got a pop up telling me that some of the registry keys were in use and the restore could not be completed successfully. Am I correct in thinking that this could be due to the start menu items and my McAfee, which also begins to run at startup? I'm thinking that I'll need to disable the start menu items and the McAfee (and turn off the modem, of course).

If I need to do that, do I restore the start items and McAfee before I restart the computer - or restart first, just after the registry import (hopefully) completes. I'd really appreciate your opinion on this, if you have the time to respond.

Thanks!

Hi. When installing or uninstalling anything, it is always best to disconnect from the internet and shut down your security apps. I am surprised that you where advised to go mucking around in the registry to removed that mess. That is something I rarely advise unless the member is comfortable and familiar with the registry. That having been said, in a lot of cases once something has been uninstalled, or installed, a restart is necessary in order to finish the job. As for removal of Roxio, you can try this: http://www.softpedia...Roxio-Zap.shtml it should remove whatever may still be there. undeleteplus is also a good uninstaller.

[tealbingy]

Car54, thanks for your concern - one family member is doing fine, the other needs more tests, but the biggest thing that was feared (detached retina) was not the problem. I appreciate you referring my issue along.

coastie 65, You can bet that I won't be messing with a registry again once I resolve this. I appreciate your input, and will try importing the saved copy of the registry after disconnecting from the internet and disabling the startup items and McAfee.

I know that I'll need to restart after importing to the registry, but do I enable the disabled items before or after the restart (or are they automatically enabled upon restart)? Thanks for your kindness!

[coastie65]

They may reenable on the restart, if not, then do so and then do another restart ( It may ask you to do so anyway ).