Can't Uninstall Workstation Programs After Server Crash

  • Thread starter Thread starter JBradshaw
  • Start date Start date
J

JBradshaw

Guest
We have a small office with 5 users. Single-server environment running SBS.

One of the principals of the company left, taking the server with him. It
was rather abrupt, but the users are now getting by without a file server or
domain controller.

However, we are experiencing some problems when they try to install or
uninstall software on their worksations. During the uninstall of, for
instance, Adobe, they are told that the setup program can not locate
\\oldservername.

I have tried running the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, but even it
won't install, saying it can't find \\oldservername.

The users are still logging in to the domain using cached credentials, but
they are administrators on the local machine.

How can I get these setup programs to stop looking for the freaking
server!?!

Thanks
 
Re: Can't Uninstall Workstation Programs After Server Crash

Hello JBradshaw,

Was the software installed with group policies?

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> We have a small office with 5 users. Single-server environment
> running SBS.
>
> One of the principals of the company left, taking the server with him.
> It was rather abrupt, but the users are now getting by without a file
> server or domain controller.
>
> However, we are experiencing some problems when they try to install or
> uninstall software on their worksations. During the uninstall of, for
> instance, Adobe, they are told that the setup program can not locate
> \\oldservername.
>
> I have tried running the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, but even
> it won't install, saying it can't find \\oldservername.
>
> The users are still logging in to the domain using cached credentials,
> but they are administrators on the local machine.
>
> How can I get these setup programs to stop looking for the freaking
> server!?!
>
> Thanks
>
 
Re: Can't Uninstall Workstation Programs After Server Crash

This is a truly painful problem. The problem is in two parts:
- the install or uninstall requires the media
- the original location is missing.
If you have the media you should be able to substitute a new location. I
can't suggest a reliable method for doing this, but if you search the
registry for \\oldserver it should be fairly obvious.
If you don't have the media at all the problem is that the installation
requires it. It would be the same if it was installed from CD. Then your
only option is to forcibly uninstall (e.g. with Windows Installer CleanUp)
or with registry removal, and then install from fresh media.
Hope that helps,
Anthony
http://www.airdesk.com


"JBradshaw" <jbradsha@dphilneas.nnn> wrote in message
news:HL6dnbskNv-JplTVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@posted.internetamerica...
> We have a small office with 5 users. Single-server environment running
> SBS.
>
> One of the principals of the company left, taking the server with him. It
> was rather abrupt, but the users are now getting by without a file server
> or domain controller.
>
> However, we are experiencing some problems when they try to install or
> uninstall software on their worksations. During the uninstall of, for
> instance, Adobe, they are told that the setup program can not locate
> \\oldservername.
>
> I have tried running the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, but even it
> won't install, saying it can't find \\oldservername.
>
> The users are still logging in to the domain using cached credentials, but
> they are administrators on the local machine.
>
> How can I get these setup programs to stop looking for the freaking
> server!?!
>
> Thanks
>
 
Back
Top