Java 6.0.0.105 Removal - loops install

I just undated to Java 6.0.20.5 and want to remove/uninstall Java 6.0.0.105. From Add/Remove I locate the entry and click remove, but program never runs uninstall or provide a remove/uninstall option. It keeps running the install routine.
Checking in jre.6.0 program directory / Bin folder are a number of .exe files. Can not find one that gives the appearance of remove or uninstall executable sir name. Does anyone have a suggestion to which executable runs the remove/uninstall functions.
See provided jpg for available choices.

Thanks
Dennis L

 

Java generally doesn't use an uninstall executable from it's Program Files folder, but rather an uninstall string that points to a folder located in C:\Windows\Installer (Installer is a hidden folder).

If you look under the following registry key;

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

at the subkeys with a CLSID as the key name (for version 1.6.0_01 on my system, the key is named {3248F0A8-6813-11D6-A77B-00B0D0160010}) you will find the key for Java. The uninstall string will be shown in the right pane. Version 1.6.0_01 uninstall string on mine is MsiExec.exe /I{3248F0A8-6813-11D6-A77B-00B0D0160010} which points to the folder C:\Windows\Installer\{3248F0A8-6813-11D6-A77B-00B0D0160010}, which contains the file sp1033.MST. That file contains the necessary info to install or uninstall. The above command, using the proper CLSID for your installation (provided the matching folder and file exist), can be used from Start>Run to initiate the uninstallation process.

 

Hi, Dennis and Dave.

As a rule of thumb, I always uninstall my current JRE version via Add/Remove and reboot before installing the new version. Then I reboot again after installing the new version.

I would try uninstalling the version you most recently installed. Then I would try uninstalling the older version(s). Might need a reboot in between.

Then after removing all JREs and a clean boot, I would install Version 6 Update 2.

The version I installed today is 6.0.20.6 (slightly newer than yours???).

The one I downloaded and installed today is from java.com. I also downloaded the JRE from sun.com today and compared. Although the file sizes are identical, the filenames are slightly different and the hash values do not match.

Can anyone explain the apparent discrepancy?

 

Thanks noahdfear and mailman

Good advice per cleaning out before putting in new... just can't argue with proper process. Will do that, but first noahdfear will have to shed some light for me.

noahdfear
All of your registry paths/CLSID numbers agreed with mine per Java - Version 1.6.0_01, but then ran into road block at your path
C:\Windows\Installer\{3248F0A8-6813-11D6-A77B-00B0D0160010}.

All I could find was the following -
C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{3248F0A8-6813-11D6-A77B-00B0D0150060}\1033.MST
And yes, when I view file 1033.MST in notepad it references an old Java version 1.5.xx6. So I assumed this was an orphan entry. But no idea where Version 1.6.0_01 could be hiding. So I re-installed 1.6.0_01 over the top of itself, but these views did not change.
BUT the good news, when I ran ADD/REMOVE it uninstalled 1.6.0_01.
So now I go back and the registry paths state 1.6.0_2 values but when I go to WINDOWS\Installer the same old path continue to display ..
C:\WINDOWS\Installer\{3248F0A8-6813-11D6-A77B-00B0D0150060}\1033.MST

So I'm totally confused. I have 1 version of Java on computer... Version 6 Update 2. Program folders, registry and "Java Internet Test for version" all agree to this. But tell that to path C:\WINDOWS\Installer .... , It only show the old 1.5xxx orphan listing. But look on the bright side, computer, Firefox work just fine.
For your viewing, I included a jpg of my current registry entry for Java v6-Update 2.

 

Dennis,

I have a theory that the same mst file remains intact once Java has been installed, and is merely appended to when Java is updated. I've downloaded several versions and will be testing my theory in the next day or so.

Mailman,

I'm going to look into the difference between those two files as well.

 

Hi, Dave.

Did you find any significant differences (other than the filename discrepancy) between the JRE from java.com and from sun.com? The differing hash values have me puzzled.

 

No, I didn't. I did do some testing, but got busy and haven't gotten back to it yet either. It's on my list of things yet to do.

 

Thanks, Dave. I'm not trying to be pushy. Just thought you might have overlooked.

I'll be patient.