Anyone want a challenge

Question

It all started when I downloaded ACE Mega Codec Pack!! Ever since then I have not been able to access my precious iTunes, Getting this message: ITunes has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
So here's what I’ve done, Possibly making matters worse, I uninstalled Ace Mega Codec pack immediately and when prompted that some files I was removing was shared I said no, not to delete the first 5 or 10 files and then clicked yes to delete all. (in lack of patience) What a mess.
I then tried iTunes again with no joy, So I uninstalled iTunes, reinstalled and still the same message: ITunes has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
I then read on a thread somewhere that, if I reinstall QuickTime, it should work.
And when trying to uninstall QuickTime I get this (+Add or remove programs+) message: Fatal error during installation. with no error code.
I just don’t know what to do, I’m on the verge of reinstalling Windows! (I bet things like this don’t happen on a Mac.)!!
Well I would really appreciate any help or advice anyone could give me, I know this seems a bit long and drawn out!!
Thanks a million,
Phill, (Stressed in Dublin, Ire.)

Answer 1

In the many years I've used XP I've never had to use the restore point feature. I believe these restore points can get end users in even more trouble if they don't know what their doing.
Phill,
I'll post my detailed instructions on how to clean off your system if you are willing to try them. They have a couple extra steps that the doc on apple doesn't contain.
1. Uninstall itunes & QT software from add/remove programs in the control panel.
2. Reboot your PC
3. Re-download the standalone installers for itunes and QT and save this installer to your desktop. Do not run it from apple!
4. Go to C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations. You should see folders like {06EB3288-C5F4-4C73-8EEE-AC798668FF66}
5. Look in each of these folders for itunes.msi and delete the folder. *Be careful to only delete the folders containing itunes,msi*
6. Clean out your temp folders,
a. C:\windows\temp (if one exists)
b. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Local Settings\Temp
Sometimes installers will pick up old files or won’t delete their temporary files.
7. Go to http://www.download.com/3000-2094-881470.html and download the regcleaner. Unpack it and run it. This is a nice utility that will delete broken registry entries and create a file with them. This way if it deletes anything needed you can add it back. Note I never had to do this with using it for many years. Also it doesn't list XP but you'll be fine. I run XP on both.
8. Delete the itunes and QT folders from c:\program files\
9. Reboot your PC.
10. Now try to go and install everything again. Do QT first then follow with itunes. Remember to disable virus/firewall/privacy/web accelerators before launching the install. Reboot between each installation and repeat turning off services before launching the installer.
The only times you would need to use the MS cleanup is when the add/remove method doesn't work. However most of the steps would still be the same. You would just substitute the uninstall step with using the cleanup utility.
Message was edited by: CoJeff