Re: Unable to uninstall postgres from Add/Remove programs

On Apr 9, 12:47 pm, cr(dot)(dot)(dot)(at)postnewspapers(dot)com(dot)au (Craig Ringer) wrote:
> On 8/04/2010 2:01 PM, JeffreyOtterywrote:
>
> > Running Windows XP Pro. Have been successfully using and deploying
> > postgres for 2 years.
>
> > When I try to Uninstall PostgreSQL 8.3 using Windows Add/Remove
> > Programs I get this message:
>
> > Service "PostgreSQL Database Server 8.3' (pgsql-8.3) failed to start.
> > Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.
>
> One must wonder why the uninstaller wants to *start* the postgresql service.
>
> I don't suppose you know whether you installed with the "One Click"
> installer or the msi installer from postgresql.org ? If there's no
> reference to EnterpriseDB anywhere in the documentation and the Start
> menu entry for PostgreSQL doesn't have a "StackBuilder" it's probably
> the MSI installer.
>
> > I have tried the following:
>
> > Created and logged on as various users as members of Administrators
> > group.
> > Deleted the 'postgres' user (is this a problem?)
> > Removed all references to postgres in the registry. Rebooted
> > Removed the PostgreSQL Service from the service list. (sc delete
> > pgsql-8.3)
> > Deleted the whole Postgres 8.3 directory in Program Files.
>
> > I have worked on this for 6 hours today to no avail. GRRRR.
>
> > Desperate for some suggestions??
>
> As a last resort you can manually uninstall Pg. You're half-way there
> already :S
>
> Make sure no Pg processes are running, then *delete* the program
> directory. Then clean up the registry entries Windows uses to track
> program installations to get rid of the add/remove programs entry:
>
>    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310750
>
> now open the Start menu, right click on "All programs", choose "explore
> all users", find the Postgresql folder and delete that too.
>
> I don't think Pg scatters too much through the Windows registry, so if
> you've removed the uninstall entry, the program files, the start menu
> entries, the user account and the service definition you should be ok.
>
> --
> Craig Ringer
>
> --
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Thanks again Craig (You helped me once some time ago)
I got it working (finally) by manually reinstalling the pgsql server
only (using pg_ctrl.exe from the command line) THEN I was able to
uninstall and reinstall. Phew!!!