Re: Add/Remove Programs
"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
news:%23EJXz241HHA.4184@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl
| Capt, I have been assuming from your replies that the problem
| originated more than 5 days from the start of this thread, and so
| there is no further work that can be done.
|
| If however, the oldest rb###.cab file you have is older than the
| start of the problem, or you are not sure, then try this:
It might be worthwhile looking in the oldest he's got, no matter-- who knows? It could have been a saver, if he had an RBBAD.cab. That one won't show up in a "ScanReg /Restore" window, but still would be in "C:\Windows\SysBckup" (you know). I have no "System.1st", but that's another old one. I guess it would have to be renamed to "System.dat" for RegEdit to work on it. I DO have one lying in a Compaq folder named "System.sav".
| Do you have a program such as Winzip installed, or the native
| .cab-viewing utility in Windows? Just double-click the oldest .cab
| file and let it open in your archive viewing app, then select only
| the System.dat file in the archive, righ-click it and click Extract.
| Extract it to your Temp folder, or My Docs, or somewhere else outside
| the Windows folder tree.
Absolutely! Keep the old ones OUT of "C:\Windows"!
| Let's say you have extracted it to C:\Windows\Temp.
|
| Restart in DOS:
| - Start the computer and hold down the CTRL key till the Windows 98
| Startup menu (boot menu) appears.
| OR
| - Repeatedly tap the F8 key after the memory count to bring up the
| boot menu.
| - Use the arrow keys to select "Command Prompt Only" and press Enter.
|
| Type the following, and press Enter:
|
| smartdrv
|
| Then type the following (all one line) and press Enter:
|
| regedit /L:c:\windows\temp\system.dat /E uninstal.txt
| "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall"
|
| (That is:
| regedit <space> /L:c:\windows\temp\system.dat <space> /E <space>
| uninstal.txt <space>
| "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall"
| )
Yep. That line is a tough one to type!
| That should create an exported text file of the key, in the same
| folder (Windows\Temp).
Good to know.
| When done and back at the DOS prompt, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to
| restart Windows, then open the uninstal.txt file in the Temp folder,
| with Notepad and see if there is anything more than the one program
| you currently see in ARP --
| Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
|
http://dts-l.org/
|
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
|
|
| "Capt K Ripendran" <ripendran@dataone.in> wrote in message
| news:uYsTqcz1HHA.5772@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
|> No, I do NOT have a RBBAD.cab file in C:\Windows\SysBckUp.
|>
|> The oldest cab file today is rb001.cab and I have extracted its
|> system.dat file into C:\Windows\Temp.
|>
|> I then tried, ALL the below suggested - with correct spaces (and
|> quotes for HKEY only) in DOS Prompt as well as in True DOS ( by
|> shutting down and restarting in MS-DOS Mode) and the results are as
|> under:
|>
|> 1. EXTRACT /L C:\Windows\Temp C:\Windows\SysBckUp\RBBAD.cab
|> System.dat ERROR- Cannot Open File.
|>
|> 2. REGEDIT /L:C:\Windows\Temp\System.dat /E C:\Unin.txt
|> "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall"
|> Unable to Open Registry
|>
|> 3. REGEDIT /L:C:\Windows\Temp\System.dat /E
|> C:\Windows\Temp\Registry.txt Unable to Open Registry.
|>
|> Thanking you
|> Capt K Ripendran
|>
|>
|>
|> "PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
|> news:%23mz4H8f1HHA.3548@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
|> Capt K Ripendran wrote:
|> | Yes, the cab files are as under - today.
|> |
|> | rb004 - 7/30/07
|> | rb003 - 7/31/07
|> | rb000 - 8/01/07
|> | rb002 - 8/02/07
|> | rb005 - 8/03/07
|>
|> Do you have "RBBAD.cab" (also in "C:\Windows\SysBckUp"-- but it
|> doesn't show up in the ScanReg window)? IF SO, that could be much
|> older. Don't install it-- but see whether its System.dat has an
|> Uninstall key that is acceptable. Also, it couldn't hurt to look at
|> the one in your rb004.cab (if that's still the oldest of those)--
|> just in case!
|>
|> Can you get System.dat out of both of those & into, say,
|> "C:\Windows\Temp"? Of course, you can do only one at a time, unless
|> you temporarily rename one of them after the extract. Here is how to
|> do it with EXTRACT at any DOS Prompt...
|>
|> "EXTRACT /L C:\Windows\Temp C:\Windows\SysBckUp\RBBAD.cab
|> System.dat"
|>
|> That was all one line between the quotes (but DON'T use the
|> quotes)-- with 4 spaces: one on each side of "/L", one after "Temp",
|> & one after ".cab".
|>
|> NOW, get that Uninstall key this way, which MUST be done in True
|> DOS...
|>
|> (a) "START button, Shut Down, Re-start in MS-DOS Mode"
|> (b)
|> REGEDIT /L:C:\Windows\Temp\System.dat /E C:\Unin.txt
|> "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall"
|>
|> That's one line with 4 spaces-- after "REGEDIT", ".dat", "/E" &
|> ".txt". USE the quotes. Hopefully, "Unin.txt" has what you want.
|> Open it in Notepad, & post the contents.
|>
|> IF that fails to run because it is too long, then export the whole
|> registry this way...
|>
|> REGEDIT /L:C:\Windows\Temp\System.dat /E
|> C:\Windows\Temp\Registry.txt
|>
|> Then, open it in Wordpad, & look for JUST that Registry key & post
|> it for further instructions.
|>
|> | As to the Uninstall key, only the following sub-key is left. I have
|> | done the export/copy/paste as suggested by you.
|> |
|> | REGEDIT4
|> |
|> |
|> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Yaho
|> | o! Messenger]
|> | "DisplayName"="Yahoo! Messenger"
|> | "UninstallString"="C:\\PROGRA~1\\YAHOO!\\MESSEN~1\\UNWISE.EXE /U
|> | C:\\PROGRA~1\\YAHOO!\\MESSEN~1\\INSTALL.LOG"
|> | "DisplayIcon"="C:\\Program
|> | Files\\Yahoo!\\Messenger\\YahooMessenger.exe,-0"
|> |
|> | I am open to advice as to how to repair!
|> | Thanking you
|> | Capt K Ripendran
|> |
|> |
|> |
|> | "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
|> | news:%23H3JFcT1HHA.3548@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
|> |> That's too bad. As the others mentioned, make sure you are
|> |> looking at the dates on the .cabs, not the sequential numbers,
|> |> because they are really not in sequence. If you shut down every
|> |> day, or reboot every day, then you will only go back 5 days.
|> |>
|> |> It's for panics like this that I used to keep regular manual
|> |> Registry backups saved one per month in addition to and in a
|> |> different location from the system backups, plus an Regedit export
|> |> each month for relaxing reading...LOL (plus a backup of my
|> |> vmm32.vxd file).
|> |>
|> |> You may still be able to uninstall some apps if they have an
|> |> uninstall shortcut either in their Start Menu entries, or in their
|> |> program folder itself.
|> |>
|> |> Some third-party uninstaller apps may also help with smaller apps.
|> |>
|> |> Programs like MS Office can be uninstalled by inserting the CD and
|> |> selecting Remove from the installer options.
|> |>
|> |> It may be possible with some apps to overinstall and get the
|> |> entries back.
|> |>
|> |> Some apps may be searchable via Google for uninstall strings in
|> |> postings from the past.
|> |>
|> |> Let's see what is left in your Uninstall key right now....is it
|> |> small enough to post as an export/copy/paste?
|> |> --
|> |> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
|> |>
http://dts-l.org/
|> |>
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
|> |>
|> |>
|> |> "Capt K Ripendran" <ripendran@dataone.in> wrote in message
|> |> news:u1W$fWQ1HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
|> |> > You are right. I had not read it properly.
|> |> >
|> |> > I neither have an older Registry backup made manually nor have I
|> |> > exported the Registry prior to the onset of the issue.
|> |> >
|> |> > The oldest file in my Windows\sysbckup folder is rb001 dated
|> |> > 7/29/07!
|> |
|> |> > Capt K Ripendran
|> |> >
|> |> >
|> |> > "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
|> |> > news:urY0fdP1HHA.5152@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
|> |> >> replied inline....
|> |> >>
|> |> >> "Capt K Ripendran" <ripendran@dataone.in> wrote in message
|> |> >> news:eADef6L1HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
|> |> >> > You are right. What Brian had suggested only shows up for the
|> |> >> > recent five days and not beyond!
|> |> >> > As to your suggestion, I found only one sub-key viz., Yahoo
|> |> >> > Messenger under the Uninstall key and no other program.
|> |> >> >
|> |> >> > I read the relevant Microsoft KB article but in my case the
|> |> >> > cause must be due to a different reason as I had NO program
|> |> >> > with over 63 characters in the list of programs! So, I cannot
|> |> >> > apply the Resolution suggested.
|> |> >>
|> |> >>
|> |> >> You did not read the article closely enough. It states, "This
|> |> >> behavior occurs if a program's DisplayName *OR* UNINSTALL KEY
|> |> >> NAME is longer than 63 characters" (emphasis mine).
|> |> >>
|> |> >> How do you know if any of the Uninstall Key names were over 63
|> |> >> characters, when the keys are all currently missing?
|> |> >>
|> |> >>
|> |> >> > And I am reluctant to do a Registry Restore! I can send a
|> |> >> > viable copy of the Uninstall key for repair - if you would
|> |> >> > kindly do the needful. Alternately, I can make an attempt to
|> |> >> > repair it!
|> |> >>
|> |> >>
|> |> >> If the registry restore only show the past five days and the
|> |> >> problem is older than that, how do you plan on getting a viable
|> |> >> copy? Do you have older registry backups made manually, or an
|> |> >> exported registry from prior to the onset of the issue? What
|> |> >> is the oldest rb###.cab file in your Windows\sysbckup folder?
|> |> >>
|> |> >>
|> |> >> > By the way, in my HP Pavilion 6511, the lonely program
|> |> >> > sitting there is "One-touch Multimedia Keyboard" which I had
|> |> >> > reinstalled - all others have
|> |> > disappeared!
|> |> >> --
|> |> >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
|> |> >>
http://dts-l.org/
|> |> >>
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
|> |> >>
|> |> >>
|> |> >> >
|> |> >> >
|> |> >> >
|> |> >> > "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
|> |> >> > news:Okwma0K1HHA.5984@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
|> |> >> >> You can try Brian's procedure to restore the a Registry copy
|> |> >> >> *just prior* to the advent of the issue, if it is only a few
|> |> >> >> days old, as it may or may not bring back then list, but it
|> |> >> >> may well disappear again if the original cause is not fixed.
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> BEFORE you try a registry restore, open the Registry Editor
|> |> >> >> (Start>Run>regedit), navigate to this key:
|> |> >> >>
|> | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> There should be a number of sub-keys under the Uninstall
|> |> >> >> key, one for each installed program, plus more. If they
|> |> >> >> are there, you need to export the entire Uninstall key to a
|> |> >> >> text file, to be examined for the possible cause of the
|> |> >> >> problem.
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> Select the Uninstall key and on the menu bar of the editor,
|> |> >> >> click the Registry menu> Export.
|> |> >> >> Choose a location like My Documents, name the file something
|> |> >> >> like "Uninstall.txt" (including the quotes), and save as a
|> |> >> >> text file rather than as a .reg file.
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> If the key is empty, you will need to do a Registry restore
|> |> >> >> to try and get back to when it was still available, and then
|> |> >> >> export the Uninstall key for examination and possible
|> |> >> >> repair.
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> The usual cause of the issue is described here:
|> |> >> >> All Installed Programs May Not Be Displayed in the
|> |> >> >> Add/Remove Programs Tool
|> |> >> >>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q240348/
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> The issue can cause some or all programs to disappear from
|> |> >> >> the list, and the key, not just the offending
|> |> >> >> program....and there may be more than one offending program
|> |> >> >> entry.
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> If the only backup you have that may contain a viable
|> |> >> >> Uninstall key is too old to risk restoring, it is possible
|> |> >> >> to extract an old registry copy from one of the old backups
|> |> >> >> without restoring. I can give those directions if needed,
|> |> >> >> later.
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> Try and get a viable copy of the Uninstall key one of these
|> |> >> >> ways, and I'll give you an email address to send it to me
|> |> >> >> for possible repair....unless you want to do it yourself.
|> |> >> >> If MVP Alan Edwards pops into this group and thread, he has
|> |> >> >> repaired literally dozens (or more) of these. --
|> |> >> >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
|> |> >> >>
http://dts-l.org/
|> |> >> >>
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >>
|> |> >> >> "Capt K Ripendran" <ripendran@dataone.in> wrote in message
|> |> >> >> news:uIzDPS$0HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
|> |> >> >>>I have a HP Pavilion 4509 and a 6511 preloaded with Windows
|> |> >> >>>98 SE. The 14" Monitor is a
|> |> >> >>> HP Pavilion M50 CRT model No D5258A.
|> |> >> >>>
|> |> >> >>> I had downloaded and installed a Security Update KB891711
|> |> >> >>> from Windows Update website and then I thought that this
|> |> >> >>> update caused a problem and so I removed it from the
|> |> >> >>> "Add/Remove Programs". I had restarted the PC and to my
|> |> >> >>> dismay, I found that ALL other listed programs had simply
|> |> >> >>> disappeared - but NOT the programs themselves!
|> |> >> >>>
|> |> >> >>> What could have caused this and how could I restore it - in
|> |> >> >>> the list? Thanking you
|> |> >> >>> Capt K Ripendran
|>
|> --
|> Thanks or Good Luck,
|> There may be humor in this post, and,
|> Naturally, you will not sue,
|> Should things get worse after this,
|> PCR
|>
pcrrcp@netzero.net
--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net