Installing and Uninstalling Software

by Bill Drennon

CVC Director of Technology

Before installing software:

  1. Make sure you have recently run scandisk
  2. Make sure you have recently run defrag
  3. Clear C:\Windows\recent
  4. Clear C:\Windows\temp
  5. Make sure the CD-ROM drive has recently been cleaned
  6. Make sure the CD is clean.
  7. Shut down your computer the correct way and wait 10 seconds. Then reboot. Sometimes programs close but do not release memory without shutdown.
  8. No Screen Savers. Disable them. They take up memory and are not needed.

Dos and Donts during Installation:

  1. Never turn your computer off during an installation
  2. If your computer freezes during an installation, contact me immediately. You will obviously have to use a neighbor's computer to send me an email message.
  3. If the computer wants to install another program, such as video viewing program, make sure it is a more recent version than any existing version that you may have.
  4. If, after an installation, the setup program offers to reboot your computer. Reject the offer. Instead, shut down the computer. Let it stand for 10 seconds. Then, reboot it. That clears all flip-flop circuits that may hold data that could cause problems for your computer.
  5. Always shut the computer down and restart after program installations even if the setup program does not say you must do that.
  6. If your computer does not restart after an installation or if you get an error message concerning the registry:
    1. try starting the computer in safe mode (Push the F8 key when windows is starting.)
    2. When booted in safe mode, uninstall the software using start-control panel- add/remove software.

7. After setup is completed, the computer is shut down and successfully is rebooted, clear once again C:\Windows\recent and C:\Windows\temp.

REMOVING SOFTWARE THE CORRECT WAY:

  1. Whenever possible uninstall software using "Add/Remove Software" in the control panel.
  2. Always Reboot the computer after removing software. Reboot by shutting down, allowing the computer to sit for a count of 10, then rebooting. Do not use the automatic reboot.
  3. After rebooting the computer, remove any lingering files that may exist in folders outside of the C:\Windows path.
  4. Note: Sometimes the original CD ROM that installed the program is needed to uninstall it, so make sure that it is handy.

To remove software via the Add/Remove Software Window:

Click on the Start button:

 Then, move mouse to Settings. Next, click on CONTROL PANEL:

Double Click Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. Then select the program to be removed in the Add/Remove window. Then click the Add/Remove button.

There are several routes to the control panel. You can also click on MY COMPUTER. In that window, you will see CONTROL PANEL. You can click on that icon and get the same results.
In the large box of the control panel window, you will see an icon named ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS. Double-click on that icon. That opens the Add/Remove Programs Properties window. Highlight the program to be uninstalled in the large box. Then click the Add/Remove button and the program will be uninstalled the correct way. To merely remove the folder that contains the program does not take care of files associated with the program that are in the Windows subdirectories. It also leaves misinformation in the registry and system files.