Problem reinstalling Java

[robinz]

Hey. This thread is actually not dedicated to myself, but to a friend of mine. This is relevant since I can't provide as accurate information as I'd normally do. The computer is running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, but I don't know much more than that.

But anyway, here it goes:

The problem is that he had some problem with Java (it stopped working for unexplained reasons). When he tried to uninstall/reinstall there was even more problems, and that's where we are now. The problem is that he cannot uninstall or even open the installer because of an error message (very unspecified):

"There is a problem with this Windows installer package. A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor."

It doesn't say which one, so I just gave him some general advice. He tried CCleaner, Revo Uninstaller and Absolute Uninstaller, and still no improvement. Both the uninstallers gave the same error message and CCleaner fixed lots of registry errors, but it didn't solve the problem.

I now have no idea what to do, so if you guys could give us some suggestions it would be awesome.

EDIT: We also tried a script made by "Daz" (third post) over at http://www.appdeploy.com/messageboards/tm.asp?m=29809 - still no good news, didn't even seem to do anything to his version of Java as it's all still there (folders, files and it's listed in the "uninstall programs"-list.

 

[richc46]

Perform a system restore from the point BEFORE, he tried to install the first time.

 

[robinz]

I'll make him try that when he gets home. No idea how long he's had the problem though, so might be a bit problematic to find a correct restore point, but I'll try. Will post the result when we've tried.

 

[robinz]

I did what you said, restored it to August 1 and he could successfully install update 21 without the DLL-error, but it still doesn't work. When he tries to run Java applications nothing happens, and when I sent him a simple .jar file (which he started through a .bat I made and tried on my own computer - with no problem at all) he gets a message saying that it's not a recognized command. Now what? :s

 

[richc46]

Uninstall
From control panel if 64 bit OS

Use cleaner to make sure all remnants are gone
Piriform - Download CCleaner, Defraggler, Recuva, Speccy - Millions of users worldwide!

Run SFC command
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Reinstall again.

Boot after each step

 

[robinz]

Sorry for not posting for so long. At first I couldn't reach him for like 2 days, and now he's just slacking.

Thanks for the tips, I'll post again as soon as he gets his thumbs out of his a** and tries this out. Sorry for keeping you waiting for results, but even if I don't like it, it's his problem and his decision when he's going to try this out.

 

[TOF]

Windows Installer Cleanup will fix your problem. The software is no longer supported by Microsoft but it works. Uninstall Java and Java Updater with it. I would recommend that your friend install the 32 bit version of Java instead of the 64 bit version. The 64 bit version still seems buggy with uninstaller and updating issues. |MG| Windows Installer CleanUp Utility 7.2 Download

 

[robinz]

Thanks guys, I linked this thread to him and told him to do what you two said. I don't really know which one fixed it, but it works again now. Also, he installed the 32-bit just to be on the safe side.