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| Thread ID: 110834 | 2010-07-03 06:31:00 | How to remove PC Tools? | advena (13666) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1115585 | 2010-07-03 06:31:00 | I'm in a hole here at the moment. I run XP on my NEC Powermate desktop. But it has become very slow, CPU groaning along at 100% for quite a while now. I tried a solution suggested in the list (exepting MsMpEng.exe in the Microsoft Security Essentials scan) but that didn't last long and MsMpEng churned into action again. Reading various forums I thought MSE might be at least part of the problem so I uninstalled MSE (through Control Panel, Add or Remove, etc). That certainly freed up the machine wonderfully and gave me the freedom to do some work. However, having a good look through my directory, found that I still have some folders for PCTools Internet Security on my drive. I had tried PCTools prior to finding MSE and thought I had deleted all of it. Obviously not. But what is left doesn't work / function / operate. So, planning to get rid of all PCTools bits and pieces I headed back to Control panel, etc but find that, although PCTools is listed, it can't be removed because part of the file ("\uninstall000.msg") is missing. I thought I could perhaps download a new copy over the top which might supply whatever for me to remove the whole deal. But no, PCTools website tells me I already have a copy of the programme on board and I must remove that before installing a new one. Yes, I could register again at their website and go through the loops but would rather get on to a fix fairly soon. Help, help! Can anyone suggest a way out of this? I'd like to get rid of all fragments of PCTools. At the moment I'm operating without MSE and although the machine is zooming along beautifully I do feel rather vulnerable. Any bright ideas greatly appreciated, thanks. |
advena (13666) | ||
| 1115586 | 2010-07-03 06:38:00 | Delete its folder, then run ccleaner, delete its add/remove entry, then run ccleaner's registry cleaner to remove the rest of it. If it runs slow with MSE, its probably not fast enough (or doesnt have enough ram), to handle it | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 1115587 | 2010-07-03 06:39:00 | Manually. Probably best to do it in Safe Mode. Uninstall PC Tools Antivirus: 1. Goto start menu > run > services.msc > Ok 2. In the services list - Locate PC Tools Antivirus Engine, right click it and Stop(if applicable) That will be the main problem. 1. Goto start menu > run > type in: regedit 2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PCTools - Delete PCTAV 3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PCTools - Delete PCTAV & PCTAVSvc 4. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Uninstall - Delete PC Tools AntiVirus_is1 5. Navigate to C:\Program Files - Delete the PC Tools Antivirus folder Note: If you receive a notice "Cannot delete PCTAVShellExtension.dll: Access is denied" - Goto start menu > run > copy and paste in: regsvr32 "c:\program files\pc tools antivirus\PCTAVShellExtension.dll" /U > Click on OK - Now try deleting the PC Tools Antivirus folder |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1115588 | 2010-07-03 12:01:00 | Thank you Speedy and pctek - much appreciated . I tried pctek's appraoch first but couldn't identify those particular files so moved on to Speedy's approach . Got most of the files removed from the folder in Explorer (2 remaining (pctsAuxs . exe and SDContexExt . dll) to which access is denied and was also able, eventually, to delete the add/remove entry . Also ran CCleaner as instructed . So I guess I've got it as good as its going to be unless someone can advise me on those 2 stragglers . Then I reinstalled MSE and its all humming along quietly and freely - very sweet - just as it was when first installed . But you are right Speedy, I don't have enough ram for my liking and am awaiting delivery of some more . Thank you both again for your advice . |
advena (13666) | ||
| 1115589 | 2010-07-03 12:18:00 | Delete those files you cant delete in safe mode | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 1115590 | 2010-07-03 21:55:00 | Thank you Speedy and pctek - much appreciated. I tried pctek's appraoch first but couldn't identify those particular files so moved on to Speedy's approach. . Most of it were registry entries, not files. The main thing was to stop the service first. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1115591 | 2010-07-04 04:10:00 | Delete those files you cant delete in safe mode Thanks again Speedy - all segments now removed and the system breezing along. I appreciate all I learn from you folks. |
advena (13666) | ||
| 1115592 | 2010-07-04 04:13:00 | Sweet :banana | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
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