12 replies to this topic

[dlebryk]

Sometimes Clean Install is requested by support, by somebody in this forum, or because the software is just acting up. Since I've had to do this a few times, and it's not super easy to find, here's the step by step procedure.

Time to cook - as little as 45 minutes, up to maximum of 2 hours. Pain level, repairing windows is worse, resetting your computer to a restore point is better.

Before you start - set a restore point! Go to Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Click on the radio button to "Set a Restore Point." You might just need it, you never know.

Original source - John from Roxio had it posted in this thread:
http://forums.suppor...?showtopic=9954

Step by Step:
1) Using Add Remove Programs from your Control Panel, remove all Roxio Programs. Likely these will be, Roxio Drag to Disk, Roxio Content, Roxio Easy Media Creator, and Xingtone Ringtone Maker. You might as well do them in alphabetical order - it doesn't matter really. Drag to Disk requires a reboot (in this step the only one you have to do). Also, don't ask why, but there is no Uninstaller routine from Roxio....go figure.

After you have uninstalled all those programs:
2) Open up windows explorer and start deleting all the Roxio and Sonic directories:
Delete these folders if they exsist:
C:\program files\roxio
c:\program files\sonic
c:\program files\common files\roxio shared
c:\program files\common files\sonic shared
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Roxio
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sonic
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\Roxio
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\Sonic
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Local Settings\Application Data\Roxio
A huge hint for you - sometimes a file won't delete. Say the first folder says some file is in use and can't be deleted. Don't worry. Open up that folder and start highlighting some of the files or subfolders. Start small and at the top of the list. Likely most of them will delete. Eventually you will find one or two files that won't delete. Simply drag those files up one folder, or if you are at a crowded next level, just create a junk folder and drag the file there. Finish deleting all the other folders listed above. Reboot the computer (second reboot in this process). Then go to that up one level folder or junk folder and delete the file. Magic, it will delete.
(Thanks GGrussell - added the two Application Data Sonic deletions - I forgot that I did actually delete those during the last clean up)

3) This cookie thing is recommended, but I've never found it useful:
Also remove any IE cookies with Roxio or Sonic in this folder:
c:\documents and settings\username\cookies

4) This is now your tricky part - here's the statement from John:
"Then use a registry cleaner to remove any entries that may refer to the removed applications."
There's a really sweet program from Microsoft called "Windows Install Clean Up" that will kill any program in your add/remove program list. Just go over to Microsoft.com and search for that program, install it, run it, and remove anything Sonic or Roxio in the list. This is especially great if you got an uninstall error during step 1. Now reboot your computer one last time.

Everything Roxio is now gone from your computer. You could stop there - that would be a totally clean Uninstall.

5) Reinstall Easy Media Creator 9. Some hints here - as much as I hate to admit it follow this advice:
"When you reinstall disable any Anti-Malware applications (antivirus, popup blockers, and other things) during the installation process."
It's a scary moment - you will be running unprotected during the install, and I hate it. But sadly there seems to be a lot of problems caused by different protection programs. Since I use McAfee, I can only describe what to stop for that program - anti-virus, anti-spam, SystemGuard, and ScriptScanning - all need to be stopped. I did not stop WinPatrol (Scotty) - he seems to be happy working with EMC installs. KEEP YOUR FIREWALL RUNNING!!!

Another hint on the reinstall - pay attention to some of your settings, or programs you don't want. Don't be afraid to drop down to the custom install. I've deselected the photo stuff, and media manager thing with no effect on the software. I really hate Drag to disc, sadly you have to install that, but must go through about three menus to disable it after restart.

6) Reinstall the Content Disc if you had it originally.

OK - it sounds scary, seems like a lot of work, but it actually does start you off with a totally fresh program, cleanly installed. First time around, took me 2 hours. Tonight, 45 minutes.

7) Oh, sorry, empty the trash now, once everything is running right. You never know, you might just want to restore something out of that trash bin.

Edited by dlebryk, 29 December 2006 - 04:42 PM.

[ggrussell]

dlebryk, on Dec 28 2006, 11:07 PM, said:

I really hate Drag to disc, sadly you have to install that, but must go through about three menus to disable it after restart.

If you don't use it at all , just uninstall it from the Add/Remove Apps in teh Control Panel. I should be listed separately from EMC9.  I've never used packet writing.

Also add these two other folders to delete:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sonic
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\Sonic

You will have to reinstall any other Sonic apps, too, after removing these folders.

Edited by ggrussell, 28 December 2006 - 08:45 PM.

[clifdene]

ggrussell, on Dec 28 2006, 08:42 PM, said:

If you don't use it at all , just uninstall it from the Add/Remove Apps in teh Control Panel. I should be listed separately from EMC9.  I've never used packet writing.

Also add these two other folders to delete:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sonic
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\Sonic

You will have to reinstall any other Sonic apps, too, after removing these folders.

I had Drag to Disk disabled and then uninstalled it. Why is it that I have to complete the other deletions and installations? The other programs seem to be working OK.

[ggrussell]

c:\program files\sonic
c:\program files\common files\sonic shared
These are folders where Sonic apps are usually installed. The two additional folders I added are just for user files.

[clifdene]

Many thanks. I take it that I do not need to do anything more.

[ggrussell]

Wouldn't think so.

[dlebryk]

GGRussell - great add on those two other directories. I added them to the first posting so the directions are complete.

[The Highlander]

Hi dlebryk, clifdene,

Here are a few tools to help users that have maybe a bit of an issue doing alot of file removal or editing to there system.

(please note the script file and reg file are to be only used if you don't have ANY other Roxio products on your system and you don't want to keep them , as this removes all ROXIO application files and registry items)

Step 1.  Download the Microsoft installer cleanup tool from here
http://download.micr...1bd/msicuu2.exe
then run it and remove these programs

then reboot the system and go on to step two.

Step 2.  file is a script i made, and it stops all the system services first (Roxio services running) then it removes all the file and folder entry's .
 File_remove.zip   1.71K   1330 downloads
(please note , unzip to to a folder on the main boot drive, then run by double clicking on the File remove.cmd file and let it run, it will close after files have been removed , now run the second file, roxio.reg and it will remove the main Roxio registry key from your system.)

Thats it, clean system ready to run a new fresh install again.
(please note these scripts are not made by Roxio or supported by them, and i have made sure that they are virus free, but as always USE ANY APPS AT OWN RISK)

Hope this helps users to

Edited by The Highlander, 04 January 2007 - 02:00 AM.

[treehousemann]

Thanks for all the useful information. I've got a bunch of little things going on in various softsware, from Videowave crashes, to the capture software not working, so it sounds this is where I should start, with uninstall and then a re-install. Here is my question. I only have the downloaded executable.. Do I really need to have the discs before doing this clear out?

thanks..

TreehouseMann

[The Highlander]

treehousemann, on Jan 18 2007, 07:21 AM, said:

Do I really need to have the discs before doing this clear out?
TreehouseMann

No you don't, but id burn everything to CD or DVD before you do anything, also save any emails or correspondence onto the disks to, that way you know were everything is and before you delete the files,

check if the CD or DVD can be read on a different computer , then go though the clean up process on the Roxio side.

[treehousemann]

Thanks Highlander & all. ! It went perfect! EMC9 is working fine now. No more crashes, and capture software is back!

Treehousemann

[The Highlander]

treehousemann, on Jan 19 2007, 12:43 AM, said:

Thanks Highlander & all. ! It went perfect! EMC9 is working fine now. No more crashes, and capture software is back!

Treehousemann

No Probs

[RudytheGreat]

Many hours of trials after a clean install and still nothing.  I accidentally found out what stopped EMC9 in it's tracks.  Plugged into the back of my Belkin USB hub was a very tiny 1.0GB Ativa memory stick.  Once I removed it and it's very active anti-virus program, EMC9 was born to run my Plextor.  Hope this comment is not seen as illiterate, at 64 it's to late anyway.