Cannot unistall creative suite 2

Question

I have just installed the new cs5 programs, so I would like to get rid of the old cs2 versions that are on my computer. The creative suite 2 was never fully installed due to some errors, but the programs still appear in the adobe folder and they still try to open even when I am trying to open the new cs5 version. I tried going to "uninstall program" in the control panel, but when I click on "uninstall/change creative suite 2," I get the following message:
"Installation cannot continue until all adobe creative suite applications are fully closed. This includes adobe acrobat, which may be running in the background. Please close all your applications and restart your computer to continue with installation."
Acrobat is never running when this prompt comes up, and I have tried restarting the computer to no avail. I also get the same prompt when I try to finish fully installing the creative suite 2 software. I am at an impasse. Any help would be greatly appreaciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

All Adobe products (Flash, Acrobat/Reader, Photoshop, Creative Suites, etc.) leave a VERY pervasive footprint on your hard drive. Addobe Cleaner Tool only works for CS 3 and newer; do not know how effective MS Cleanup Tool is. Here is a way to manually clean everything up. I did this 4 weeks ago and everything works flawlessly now.
SOLUTION (not easy, but it works):
Before doing anything, make document and any database/presets/cache back-ups beforehand (keep notes on their designated location*); manually create a System Restore point. (Be prepared to restore or reinstall Windows if necessary - I did not have to do either.)
Completely and meticulously eradicate (clean) your hard drive of ALL Adobe programs [uninstall, remove remaining folders, and remove only the registry entries that have the Adobe name attached (unless you are an expert and fully understand the other entries)]. Use this as a guideline  http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/400/kb400769.html
Do a Custom/Manual reinstall of all your Adobe products *in order of release dates* (OLDEST first).... do not include Reader, Flash, etc. If your CD will not automatically run at this point, click "Open folder to view files" (use Computer/Windows Explorer, if necessary). Click "Adobe Creative Suite (or your desired program) ==> Setup.exe" (IMPORTANT: Make sure that Reader, Flash, etc. are unchecked.)
After each of your desired Adobe programs are installed, test to insure they boot up. Then download the latest Reader, Flash, etc. apps and install them (I did this in order of release date - oldest first). Do test boot(s) again.
Copy/Paste your document and any database/presets/cache back-ups into the appropriate folders (*this will vary depending on your programs and your filing system).