Can't Uninstall SQL Server 2005 Express Tools

Question

I am attempting to install SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Trial and receive the follow error during installation.
"The SQL Server 2005 Express Tools are installed. To continue, remove the SQL Server 2005 Express Tools."
I have used Add or Remove programs to remove all components of SQL Server 2005 Express.  I have even reinstalled the Workstation Tools of SQL Server 2005 just so I could indiviually remove those tools, and then completly removed the SQL 2005 installation.
I have used regedit to search for any instance of SQL Server 2005, there is none.
There is still an entry for SQL Server Mangement Express in my all programs listing.  However trying to launch that program fails with errors, so it is partial still installed.
Can anyone tell me how to wipe out these last bits of SQL Server 2005 Express Tools?  I have tried everything I have found searching this forum to no avail.
Bill

Answer 1

Renaming or deleting the registry key was the only solution for me. It is not eough to rename a sub-key, I found you must rename or remove the key at the level of "\90"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90
I have not tried every permutation but these are the previous steps in order that were NOT helpful.
Sometimes it is good to know what has been tried and does not work, so you do not spend time in dead ends.
These do NOT work
1. resolution at this link did not work for me although it worked for that person
"rename registry key "
http://jasonfollas.com/blog/archive/2008/06/19/sql-server-2008-rc0-install-sql2005ssmsexpressfacet.aspx
rename key from: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\ShellSEM
to: ShellSEM.old
(If I had renamed \90 it might have succeeded)
2. solution at this link did not work for me although it worked for that person
"changing the Regional Settings of my computer"
http://www.kodyaz.com/blogs/software_development_blog/archive/2008/02/22/840.aspx
3. reset.cmd
download and execute reset.cmd to reset many registry settings
Nope, no luck
4. download entire 2008 express package as an ISO file in the small chance any previous files were corrupted.
The ISO image was 744 meg, which can only be burned onto a double-layer disk.
Then I remembered I don't have a double-layer burner.
Duh.
5. removing 3rd party tools
- Remove SQL Server 2005 Express Tools
- Remove Red-Gate SQL Prompt if installed.
http://blog.crowe.co.nz/archive/2008/08/14/quotThe-SQL-Server-2005-Express-Tools-are-installed.-To-continue.aspx
mainly because neither were actually listed in add/remove programs, nor was Red Gate in the registry
(or redgate, red-gate, red_gate)
6. "Solving setup errors by using the SubInACL tool to repair file and registry permissions"
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2006/09/04/739820.aspx
7. rename the instance of SQL Server 2008 when installing
Nope.
8. With Add/remove programs, remove
- sql server 2005
- anything else that had in the title "sql server 2005"
- sql server system clr types (which sounded sort of like a 3-rd party tool and I had not used it in a year)
- remove folder
c:\program files\microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server90
Nope, no luck
10. With a Microsoft tool "Windows Install Clean Up" inspect any add/remove programs that were removed and absolutely remove their install logs
Nope.  So it was not due to any residual information from SQL Server 2005
11. With Add/remove programs, remove
- anything that has the title sql server 2008
and try to re-install, which did not work.
Finally found this thread and deleted the key and the installation succeeded.
It did not take 2 days, but almost.
This is a test, right? We have to navigate all the half-good information and actually succeed installing SQL Server 2008 then we earn the privilege to use it?  Yay!