Help Uninstalling IE8, microsofts suggestions don't work

MarioMario · 11-04-2009, 11:53 AM

I need help uninstalling IE8. I've gone through all of the knowledge base articles, including the one's relating to uninstalling service pack 3 first. None of these have worked.

A few things I have tried thus far:

"Method 1: Use the "Add or Remove Programs" item in Control Panel
Click Start, and then click Run.
Copy and then paste the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:
appwiz.cpl
Click to select the Show Updates check box.
Click Windows XP Service Pack 3, and then click Remove.
Click Finish to restart the computer after the removal process is complete.
Back to the top"

There is nothing in the add/remove programs.

"Method 2: Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder
Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
When the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Removal Wizard starts, click Next.
Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3.
Back to the top"

This give me the error message "...spuninst refers to a location that is unavailable"

"Method 3: Use the System Restore process
Note Before you use System Restore, make sure that you have restarted the computer at least one time after you installed Windows XP SP3. By restarting the computer, you allow for any remaining servicing processes to finish.
Click Start, and then click Run.
Copy and then paste the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe
Click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.
Click the date on which you installed Windows XP SP3, and then click Installed Window XP Service Pack 3 in the Restore Point box.
Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3"

With this one, I can't remember the exact message, but it was along the lines of 'can not find specified location'

If I search for spuninst.exe I find about 15 copies of it, but clikicking on any of them gives me this message: "application had failed to start because UPDSPAPI.DLL was not found"

Any help would be super appreciated! IE8 conflicts with pro tools for some reason and prevents it from launching.

11-04-2009, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
MarioMario Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 OS: XP service pack 3	Help Uninstalling IE8, microsofts suggestions don't work I need help uninstalling IE8. I've gone through all of the knowledge base articles, including the one's relating to uninstalling service pack 3 first. None of these have worked. A few things I have tried thus far: "Method 1: Use the "Add or Remove Programs" item in Control Panel Click Start, and then click Run. Copy and then paste the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER: appwiz.cpl Click to select the Show Updates check box. Click Windows XP Service Pack 3, and then click Remove. Click Finish to restart the computer after the removal process is complete. Back to the top" There is nothing in the add/remove programs. "Method 2: Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK. When the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Removal Wizard starts, click Next. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3. Back to the top" This give me the error message "...spuninst refers to a location that is unavailable" "Method 3: Use the System Restore process Note Before you use System Restore, make sure that you have restarted the computer at least one time after you installed Windows XP SP3. By restarting the computer, you allow for any remaining servicing processes to finish. Click Start, and then click Run. Copy and then paste the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER: %systemroot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe Click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next. Click the date on which you installed Windows XP SP3, and then click Installed Window XP Service Pack 3 in the Restore Point box. Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3" With this one, I can't remember the exact message, but it was along the lines of 'can not find specified location' If I search for spuninst.exe I find about 15 copies of it, but clikicking on any of them gives me this message: "application had failed to start because UPDSPAPI.DLL was not found" Any help would be super appreciated! IE8 conflicts with pro tools for some reason and prevents it from launching.