Can't Uninstall Firefox

Migraine100 · 02-09-2006, 11:04 AM

This morning I got an automatic update message, so I accepted it and updated to, I assume, the latest version of Firefox. I was then told to "restart" (Which I assume means reboot) and still I could not open the browser. After 2 tries I decided to uninstall and reinstall the existing version 1.0.2 and this is what I got:

0: Uninstall log folder not found

Can someone who knows what they're doing (that's not me) help? After first losing all my bookmarks last month, I have had quite enough of this "great" browser and just need to get it off my machine.

Thanks

martt · 02-09-2006, 02:50 PM

Restart meant 'restart Firefox' rather than 'reboot the computer'. That may have caused the problem. It could now be in some sort of halfway state between 1.0.2 and 1.5, meaning neither version works. You could try reinstalling Firefox. This would put back the necessary files for uninstalling it cleanly. However, it's a bit difficult to decide which version to try that with. Maybe both. 1.0.2 can be got here:

http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.o...s/1.0.2/win32/

I think what I'd try is to manually delete Firefox's application folder (in 'Program Files') and the Profiles folder (in 'C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Application Data\Mozilla'), then re-install 1.5.0.1. This should work OK and sort out any wrong Registry entries that the incorrect uninstallation may caused.

Rescue 'Bookmarks.html' from the Profiles folder before deleting it. Put it back into the new Profiles folder when Firefox 1.5.0.1 is re-installed.

If you still don't want to keep Firefox after that, it should uninstall OK because all the files would be there. It's all a bit 'try it and see' unfortunately.

Also, going from 1.0.2 to 1.5.0.1 is quite a major upgrade. This being the case, I think it's best to do a clean installation anyway. Uninstall all old Firefox folders before installing the new version. The upgrade may well go OK without doing that but the clean installation is more likely to run reliably in my opinion.

Migraine100 · 02-21-2006, 07:29 AM

Your suggested fix didn't work. I deleted that folder, but when I went to uninstall, still could not.

Ideas?

02-09-2006, 11:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Migraine100 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Can't Uninstall Firefox This morning I got an automatic update message, so I accepted it and updated to, I assume, the latest version of Firefox. I was then told to "restart" (Which I assume means reboot) and still I could not open the browser. After 2 tries I decided to uninstall and reinstall the existing version 1.0.2 and this is what I got: 0: Uninstall log folder not found Can someone who knows what they're doing (that's not me) help? After first losing all my bookmarks last month, I have had quite enough of this "great" browser and just need to get it off my machine. Thanks

02-21-2006, 07:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Migraine100 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Thanks, Martt, but... Your suggested fix didn't work. I deleted that folder, but when I went to uninstall, still could not. Ideas?

02-09-2006, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
martt Alternative Computing Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South of England Posts: 310 OS: XP Pro	Restart meant 'restart Firefox' rather than 'reboot the computer'. That may have caused the problem. It could now be in some sort of halfway state between 1.0.2 and 1.5, meaning neither version works. You could try reinstalling Firefox. This would put back the necessary files for uninstalling it cleanly. However, it's a bit difficult to decide which version to try that with. Maybe both. 1.0.2 can be got here: http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.o...s/1.0.2/win32/ I think what I'd try is to manually delete Firefox's application folder (in 'Program Files') and the Profiles folder (in 'C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Application Data\Mozilla'), then re-install 1.5.0.1. This should work OK and sort out any wrong Registry entries that the incorrect uninstallation may caused. Rescue 'Bookmarks.html' from the Profiles folder before deleting it. Put it back into the new Profiles folder when Firefox 1.5.0.1 is re-installed. If you still don't want to keep Firefox after that, it should uninstall OK because all the files would be there. It's all a bit 'try it and see' unfortunately. Also, going from 1.0.2 to 1.5.0.1 is quite a major upgrade. This being the case, I think it's best to do a clean installation anyway. Uninstall all old Firefox folders before installing the new version. The upgrade may well go OK without doing that but the clean installation is more likely to run reliably in my opinion.