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Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

 
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Steven E. Protter
Exalted Contributor

Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

I know when I've been bad, I get Windows problems. As a Linux/Unix Guru, I don't get windows. But I have a single Server 2003 box I admin and its got big problems.

1) Disk space is tight on C: I moved the exchange database according to a microsoft procedure and then proceeded to install SP 1 to deal with problem 2. I have 1.49 GB on C: in $NMtuninstall directories. I understand that this permits me to remove updates, which I have been good about keeping current on. My first question worth a bunny is:

Is there a procedure for committing these patches and getting rid of or moving the uninstall files. Can I move them to D: and put them back in the unlikely event I need to uninstall something? Can I just delete them? Inquiring minds MUST know.

2) I tried to install a program called Tennant Pro 7. I don't expect anybody to know that, but it apparently required .NET. I didn't have it installed but thought I had. The installer procedure for the software wanted to put .NET .1. udpate in and thinking .NET was installed I clicked okay. The install failed due to pre-requisites missng, namely .NET 1.0

This trashed the isntaller. Now when I try to remove software I get the following message, which is also in the attached screen shot:

The Windows installer service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode or if the windows installer ...

See screen shot for more.

I need to know how to fix this. It just occurred tome while typing that there actually may be a service that is down and I will check that, but I want the post out there.

Lastly the system failed to detect its fan at startup. Bios permits a F1 to bypass and the fan is running nicely so I'm certain(almost the system is not in safe mode.

Answers, especially with links to approved procedures will be rewarded well.

SEP
Shalom to all.
Steven E Protter
Owner of ISN Corporation
http://isnamerica.com
http://hpuxconsulting.com
Sponsor: http://hpux.ws
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hpuxlinux
Founder http://newdatacloud.com
9 REPLIES 9
Steven E. Protter
Exalted Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

Screen shot
Steven E Protter
Owner of ISN Corporation
http://isnamerica.com
http://hpuxconsulting.com
Sponsor: http://hpux.ws
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hpuxlinux
Founder http://newdatacloud.com
Eino V
Honored Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

Hi Steven

1)
I have deleted those files and have not tried to move them. Then it needs registry cleaning with easycleaner or other program to get off vain registry entries.

As you have tight with space, have you moved the pagefile to drive D? It can be done in control panels system, advanced and settings.

Eino
Steven E. Protter
Exalted Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

The msiexec was manually removed according to a Microsoft Documentation.

I punched the first sentence of the error message into google in double quotes and was told to rename the msiexec.exe executable and two dll's and now software can be installed and removed.

Funny thing is removing 400 MB of software reported by "Add and remove programs" barely made a dent in the disk space problem. Still need an answer there, and a link to the program that cleans the registry. I want something you have actually used because the last thing I need is some spyware or spam relay software going into the box.

I will try the procedure to relocate the swap file (thats its REAL name for a REAL OS) and see if that helps. I think I may have done that already. Points forthcoming.

SEP
Steven E Protter
Owner of ISN Corporation
http://isnamerica.com
http://hpuxconsulting.com
Sponsor: http://hpux.ws
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hpuxlinux
Founder http://newdatacloud.com
Eino V
Honored Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

Steven E. Protter
Exalted Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

Shalom,

swap(paging) relocated. That requires a system boot. The fan problem made that interesting.

I'm still concerned about the 1.4 GB and would rather not just delete it. Is there any document on MS site that deals with this?

I believe solution quality points are warranted and promise to hand them out. I don't want this thread to look solved and have the final question not answered, so I will wait a while before assigning it.

I did do a thread on MS discussion groups and will now check it. I'm betting ITRC provided better help though.

SEP
Steven E Protter
Owner of ISN Corporation
http://isnamerica.com
http://hpuxconsulting.com
Sponsor: http://hpux.ws
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hpuxlinux
Founder http://newdatacloud.com
Eino V
Honored Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

If you move these files, the wrong regitry entries can be the only problem, I think. If you use some registry cleaner program, it will propose to delete them. I don't know any MS web site about this, but maybe somebody here has seen it

Eino
Eino V
Honored Contributor
Solution

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

An other solution to your space problem is to make a copy of the whole HD to a new HD and change then the size of the logical drive C bigger. This can be done with Norton Ghost. If you make this copy, you can leave the old HD as backup HD.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=ghost10

Eino
Steven E. Protter
Exalted Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

You've certainly done a good job replying. The second to last reply points out a huge flaw in Windows 2003 Server.

Even Windows 98 had a patch commit (unix term) feature that permitted you to lock in SE and save a ton of disk space.

We've considered the hard drive increase formula and are merely playing for time so that we can obtain the necessary hardware and do the installation while I'm in the US, which where the server sits.

It's a shame, but disk space is at a premium due to Microsoft's flaws.

SEP
Steven E Protter
Owner of ISN Corporation
http://isnamerica.com
http://hpuxconsulting.com
Sponsor: http://hpux.ws
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hpuxlinux
Founder http://newdatacloud.com
Jon Finley
Honored Contributor

Re: Two critical issues, uninstall disk space use and windows installer.

VBS script to do the removal for you:
http://cwashington.netreach.net/depo/view.asp?Index=900

But.... I would burn the folders to a DVD, then delete them (you can place them back in the future should you need to.

For Server 2003, you really should have .Net Framework 2.0 installed. Once you've installed it, turn right back around, and get the updates for it.

Jon
"Do or do not. There is no try!" - Yoda