can no longer uninstall programs

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 367 Location: Ontario, Canada

I had some work done on my computer after it died and apparently the guy deleted my "setup.log" files, so I was told. I'm told that without them I can't uninstall any installed programs using the "Add/Remove Programs" part of my computer. Most programs listed now do not have the option to change/remove.

I have my entire hard drive cloned on an external hard drive. Can I get the "Setup.log" files back from there? I don't want to reinstall the whole thing, just put the missing file back.

Thanks for any input.

Wolfeye50 · Joined: May 14, 2009 Posts: 1

You should be able to, transfer the files, or copy them and place them into the proper spot in your OS's system files.You could try a system restore, but that depends on what was done, if one was made, and the OS.

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 367 Location: Ontario, Canada

I finally got around to searching my external drive for the setup.log files. I can't seem to get into the last backup file. I have a log file that shows it was done but I thought I'd be able to open it up and see the same things I see on my original hard drive.
When I try to search it I get nothing. What's going on???

Anybody got any ideas??

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Wenbo,
Stop fussing with it.

Take your hits and move on. If you have a program that you want to remove, just delete it in "Windows Explorer" and Forgetaboutit.,,,,, unless, you want to reinstall the program first.

Then make sure you NEVER remove a Setup.log file again.

If you use the Disk Cleanup program built into windows, make sure you DO NOT check the little box next to Setup.log files when you set up the program.

If you ever use any registry cleaner program, use a SAFE program like "Easy Cleaner 2", and not any of the more radical cleaners that take out things like your setup log files.

Good Luck,
The Doctor

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 993

After just deleting the program like Doc says, you might want to run a Registry cleaner like "Eusing".
(http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm)
This gets rid of "orphan" entries in your registry. This is a "safe" program, I have been using it for years, with no "overaggressive" problems. I have made the same mistake before! Also, some programs don't install uninstall logs!

goretsky · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:03 am Post subject:

Hello,

You could try using a program like Final Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller or Total Uninstaller to manually remove any programs you wish to uninstall. I would recommend making a backup of any valuable data before doing so, though, just in case a problem occurs with the uninstallation process.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 367 Location: Ontario, Canada

Thanks for all the valuable input.

My next question is, Since I cloned my entire hard drive to my external hard drive, why can't I access it? If I try to open it and have a look, windows tells me that it can't open the file. It does give me an option to use various programs to open it but I haven't got a clue as to which one if any I should use. The only thing that comes up is a back-up with the date it was done.

I'm not real computer literate but I thought that I should be able to actually see the info stored on the external. I use Acronis True Image.

Why am I not able to explore this drive?

Thanks again all.

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 993

"My next question is, Since I cloned my entire hard drive to my external hard drive, why can't I access it?"
Which drive can't you access? Your hard drive, or the external drive?

goretsky · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:47 am Post subject:

Hello,

I am guessing that a backup was stored of your computer's internal hard disk drive on the external hard disk drive, is that correct? If so, then it sounds like the backup program would need to be run in order to access the files stored inside the backup data files.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

wenbo · Joined: Sep 15, 2003 Posts: 367 Location: Ontario, Canada

goretsky

Hello,

I think it depends on how you used Acronis True Image. There are several methods of operation, including copying one hard disk drive to another, and backing one up in recordable DVD-sized chunks.

If you visit Acronis' support forums at http://forum.acronis.com/ I am sure they will be able to assist you in accessing the backup.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky