cannot uninstall McAfee

[cdrive2002]

Dell Inspiron 1100 running Windows XP Home

I cannot ununstall McAfee Antivirus because the uninstall screen will not stay open. It starts to open and then disappears. Cannot open in Windows explorer. This was already installed on this laptop and the trial version has expired. I want to install something else but cannot remove the McAfee. How can I uninstall it?

[Skylead]

Why don't you try disableing it first in the start-up under run and MSCONFIG , start-up and remove the check mark and then re-start and them manualy un-installing (delete) from all folders, and registry entrys.

[cdrive2002]

The same problem exists when trying to look at the start files in msconfig. The screen opens for probably less than a second and then it is gone. When I try to open the McAfee program itself, the same problem occurs. I wonder if this laptop has a virus. Is there a virus scan that I can use from the net or download that will run with McAfee files installed?

[Skylead]

Sounds like you have a virus? You might want to open your control panel and check your security settings and make sure you are behind a fire wall.
Also try booting up in the safe mode. And trying to uninstall McAfee.
I remember a year ago, I had a virus with XP and I had to work behind the firewall to remove the virus, I forgot what it was now, but I downloaded a remove tool from McAfee.

[cdrive2002]

Tried in safe mode and could not uninstall McAfee. Also tried to remove startup items in safe mode. Most of them seemed to come back. It appears from some checking online that this laptop must be well infected with viruses. Maybe I will have to install McAfee to run the check since I cannot uninstall. I would rather not since I already have bought the Norton. Any other possibilities?

[cdrive2002]

Another thought. If I try to remove it by editing the registry, will this be dangerous considering the possible viruses? Should I try that in safe mode?

[Skylead]

Make sure you save a back up for your registry.

start..run..type regedit..click on registry tab...click export...save as backup

[Skylead]

Try this first:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...fault.mspx#run

And then you might try some of the virus remove tools:GOTO

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=vrt

Also you can go to an on line virtual tech that will pop-up sites to you to verify items. This is under McAfee (Help)

[Rainbow32]

Here's an uninstaller for Mcafee from major geeks.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/AV_Uninstaller_d4601.html

[cdrive2002]

Thanks! The microsoft virus tool removed a virus which allowed me to uninstall McAfee. However, now the tool comes up with error messages and cannot scan. There must be another viurs that stops it. When I tried to install Norton, the prescan found another one and removed it. Norton was almost finished with install and was unable to finish. Now when trying to install again, the prescan just continues to appear to run and just sits there. (The disk seems noisy in the drive while audio cds do not) Tried the Symantic online scanner and it wouldn't run either. There are way too many processes running but I am not sure what I can turn off while trying to install. Which programs should be left running? There are 38. I have turned off everything possible in msconfig. Any ideas why none of the scans will work?

Thanks to all for the links to be able to uninstall McAfee. I will save the others for future reference. I am still finding trails of McAfee but Norton was satisfied with the uninstall.

[Skylead]

Press (alt/ctrl/delete |once to see what is running and remove(shut down) what you dont need and try installing again, these will come back at next boot.

Also remove the tool, you can install and run it at a later time.