17 replies to this topic

[littleelvis]

On my computer Ad-aware anniversary Edition was installed. I got the message that I could upgrade to Ad-aware Free.

When I wanted to upgrade the programs says that I've to uninstall the older version. I did but it keeps saying that I have to uninstall the older version.

I removed allt he links to lavasoft in the register and removed the lavasoft directory.

It is still impossible to install one of the versions ( not the older one, not the new one).

Is there a removal tool that helps removing the things that aren't removed?

What do I have to do to have a working Ad-aware?

Sorry for the bad English but this is not my language.

Thank you.

[visitor]

To uninstall, try WICU - Windows Installer CleanUp Utility: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
or Revo Free Uninstaller (revouninstaller.com) on the highest setting and after uninstall, let it remove all remnants.

Don't install 8.2 since it has bugs. You can download 8.1 installer here:

http://download.lava...nstallation.exe

After 8.1 installs, turn off auto-updates so it doesn't update to 8.2.

If you want to update definitions only, without the software updates, here are the instructions:

http://www.lavasoft....hat-should-i-do

Download the core.zip file, unzip, and place the core.aawdef file into the defs folder. Then reboot or exit/restart Ad-Aware to reload the new defs. The new definition number should appear on the main screen, even if the date of the last update is not correct (the date corresponds to the last Web Update of both software and defs).

[littleelvis]

Thank you for your answer but:

Nor the WICU, nor Revo Free Uninstaller are finding somtehing of Lavasoft Ad-aware.

Trying to install 8.1 doesn't work.

I' m desparate

Edited by littleelvis, 15 March 2010 - 01:28 PM.

[visitor]

OK, how about trying to install the previous Anniversary Edition, version 8.0.7

http://filehippo.com..._ad-aware/5878/

If you can get 8.0.7 installed, then try WICU or Revo to uninstall, and install 8.1.

Or keep Anniversary Edition and update only the definitions - that's what I do.

[littleelvis]

It doesn't help. I get also the messages I've attached here.
It is not possible to uninstall the older version(s).

Attached Images

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[visitor]

Save and execute the Ad-Aware installer from your desktop. Do not run it from your browser temp download file.

If it still does not work, search for the file Ad-AwareAE.msi. On XP system, it should be in a location like:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{83C91755-2546-441D-AC40-9A6B4B860800}\Ad-AwareAE.msi

In the folder which has Ad-AwareAE.msi, see if there is also the file mia.lib. If mia.lib is missing, that could be the problem.

[littleelvis]

I allready tried saving and executing the Ad-Aware installer from the desktop and didn't run it from the browser temp download file.

It still does not work. I searched for the file Ad-AwareAE.msi. On XP system, it should be in a location like:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{83C91755-2546-441D-AC40-9A6B4B860800}\Ad-AwareAE.msi

It was not found (even when searching whole harddisk and showing all (normal and invisible) the folders).
The file mia.lib can't be found.

In the folder which has Ad-AwareAE.msi, see if there is also the file mia.lib. If mia.lib is missing, that could be the problem.


Do you have another solution?

Thanks for all the time you allready spent.

Edited by littleelvis, 16 March 2010 - 02:22 PM.

[visitor]

I searched for the file Ad-AwareAE.msi. It was not found (even when searching whole harddisk and showing all (normal and invisible) the folders).

Glad you checked, I forgot to say it's a hidden and compressed (blue) folder. I'm not sure what's wrong. The .msi file is the Windows Installer Package.

My folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{83C91755-2546-441D-AC40-9A6B4B860800}\
was created at installation and contains these files:

Ad-AwareAE.dat
Ad-AwareAE.exe
Ad-AwareAE.lan
Ad-AwareAE.msi
Ad-AwareAE.par
Ad-AwareAE.res
instance.dat
mia.lib

There was an old problem with Kaspersky detecting and deleting mia.lib, so Ad-Aware could not uninstall prior versions during installation, but you are missing the complete folder. Do you have a Lavasoft folder inside:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\

Inside the Lavasoft folder, there are 2 more folders - Ad-Aware and License.

Also, check your add/remove programs list to see if you have Windows Installer. On my system, I have Windows Installer 3.1 (KB893803)

[littleelvis]

I found the folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{CFBD8779-FAAB-4357-84F2-1EC8619FADA6}\
and it contains following files:

Ad-AwareInstallation.dat
Ad-AwareInstallation.exe
Ad-AwareInstallation.lan
Ad-AwareInstallation.msi
Ad-AwareInstallation.par
Ad-AwareInstallation.res
instance.dat
mia.lib

I also do have a Lavasoft folder inside:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\

and inside the Lavasoft folder, there are 2 more folders - Ad-Aware and License.

On my system, I have Windows Installer.

I already doubleclicked the msi-file. In a windows there is said there is an older version and it says I've tho remove it (configuration...).

What is the solution now?


(

[visitor]

How many Ad-Aware entries do you have in the In add/remove programs list?

Also, how many folders do you have in C:\Program Files\Lavasoft?

[littleelvis]

How many Ad-Aware entries do you have in the In add/remove programs list? None

Also, how many folders do you have in C:\Program Files\Lavasoft? None, trying to remove that older version I deleted everything that points to lavasoft (also in the register).

[visitor]

OK, so you have deleted the Program folders and registry, but still have 2 Application Data folders which contain Lavasoft Ad-Aware files. Delete those and then try to install 8.1 or Anniversary Edition 8.0.7.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\{CFBD8779-FAAB-4357-84F2-1EC8619FADA6}

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Lavasoft

[littleelvis]

I 've deleted that directories and restarted my computer. Trying to install 8.1 or Anniversary Edition 8.0.7 gives always the warning that there is an older version en that I've to remove it before installing.

[visitor]

There must be some Lavasoft Ad-Aware files or registry entries which the installation detects. Before installing Anniversary Edition 8.0 I manually removed SE following these instructions:

Uninstall Programs Manually

Just because Windows XP has the Add/Remove Programs feature it doesn't mean your application will appear in the list. Furthermore, even if it does appear, it's no guarantee that the uninstall feature will work. When you run across one of these situations the items listed below will help in getting rid of the application. Be aware that these steps may not remove everything associated with the application and can impact other applications on the computer. Have a backup or restore point and use caution.

Find the directory for the application and delete all the files in the directory. Delete the directory.

Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE and find the folder for the application. Delete the folder.

Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE and find the folder for the application. Delete the folder.

To remove the application entry from Add/Remove Programs (if present) open regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and find the folder for the application. Delete the folder.

also check:
SOFTWARE\Classes\Drive\shell\ for program or company name
SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\ for program or company name

Some applications have Services attached to them. If this is the case, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services, locate and delete the service.

In Windows Explorer, navigate to the individual user settings and delete program references. Common places to check would be:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs and delete relevant entries.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and delete relevant entries.
C:\Documents and Settings\%YourUserID%\Start Menu\Programs and delete relevant entries.
[Do this for each User ID listed]
C:\Documents and Settings\%YourUserID%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and delete relevant entries.
[Do this for each User ID listed]

If no entries were found in the previous step and the application launches automatically, navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
and delete the entry.

[littleelvis]

I've checked everything and removed some keys with lavasoft in it. The attachment shows something that couldn't be removed.

Restarted the computer (because working in register).

Same result as always.

Attached Thumbnails

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[visitor]

Googled "legacy registry entries" and found:

How to delete 'Legacy' registry entries?

http://www.wildersse...ad.php?t=141555

[littleelvis]

How to delete 'Legacy' registry entries?

http://www.wildersse...ad.php?t=141555

Clicked on this link and I came with another link (that didn't worked). I found that I had to use PsExce and downloaded that program elsewhere. I did what was described and I was able to remove that legacy_lavasoft-things. I searched also for the words "lavasoft" and then again for the word"ad-aware" and removed everithing that I met.

I restarted the computer (because of changes in the register) and I tried to install Ad-aware from Lavasoft.



It worked. The Adaware Free Edition is working now.

Thank you for your assist, for being so patient and for all the good advices!!

Edited by littleelvis, 19 March 2010 - 05:27 PM.

[visitor]

Edit: Lavasoft is looking into this bug.

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact the staff member who was helping you with your issue.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.

Thank you !

Edited by visitor, 30 March 2010 - 03:46 AM.