Install and Un-install Issues and Resolutions

[Guest]

[flavio]

Having Comodo on my pc  i tried to use it on my old satellite with W98 I use travelling with gprs connection.
Unfortunately I cannot install Comodo because  it  gives me:

Microsof Visual C++ Runtime Library
Runtime  Error
Program:C\windows\desktop\cfp_setup..........exe
This application has requested  the runtime to  terminate it in an unusual way
Please contact the application support team for more information

And here I am 
What is the problem???
And how can solve it ?

[panic]

Comodo's Firewall and AntiVirus are not compatible with Windows 98. They are compatible with Windows 2000 and XP. Version3 of the firewall will be vista compatible. The operating system requirements are fairly clearly laid out on the Comodo web site.

Ewen :-)

[BenHardy]

I have read all the numerous posts on this forum regarding uninstalling Comodo Firewall and have tried them. None of them work. The last one: 'Comodo Uninstall.zip' buggers my PC - upon restart I log on and then nothing - black screen and a mouse pointer. I can bring up Task Manager but nothing on it works!
Luckily, I created a restore point before installing Comodo, otherwise I would have ended up with a non-working PC!!! Don't you guys test for such basic things before releasing this 'Malware' on an unsuspecting public?
I notice that the forum posts regarding this problem go back quite a way and yet as far as I can see, no fix has been forthcoming. This is so unprofessional that I feel the public should be warned about the potential risks to their PCs before ever going near this software.
I am becoming so frustrated with this now and have spent so much time attempting to solve it.
HELP!!!!!!!!!

[Little Mac]

BenHardy,

I'm sorry you've had such trouble with uninstalling Comodo Firewall.  If you are at a point where it is currently installed, you may try the following process to uninstall it:

1.  Disconnect your computer from the internet, and disable/turn off all Active security software such as Antivirus, Antispyware, HIPS.
2.  Open the firewall application
     2a.  On the Summary page, change Security Level to "Allow All"
     2b.  Go to Security/Advanced/Miscellaneous, and uncheck the box "Protect Own Registry Keys" then OK.
3.  Right-click the systray icon, and select "Exit."  Follow the prompts to close the application interface (Note:  this does not stop the core of the firewall)
4.  Go to Start/Run, type in "msconfig" and go to the Startup tab
     4a.  Uncheck the box next to the Comodo Firewall/CPF.exe entry; Apply, and close.
     4b.  Don't reboot yet.
5.  Go to Start/Run, type in "services.msc"
     5a.  Find the entry for "Comodo Application Agent"
     5b.  Double-click this entry to open the Properties window and change the Startup Type to "Disabled."  Apply.  OK.
     5c.  Reboot your computer
6.  Go to Start/All Programs, scroll to Comodo/Firewall and select "Uninstall;" follow the prompts to uninstall the firewall.  Reboot computer when finished.
7.  Go to Start/Run, type in "devmgmt.msc"
     7a.  Go to View/Show Hidden Devices; scroll to Non-PlugNPlay Drivers
     7b.  Make sure there are no entries for Comodo Application Engine and Comodo Network Engine.  If they are not there, continue to step 8
          7b1.  If there are, right-click and select "Disable" for each one, and Reboot your computer.
          7b2.  You will then repeat step 7, 7a, 7b, and this time right-click and select "Uninstall" for each one, and Reboot your computer.
8.  Clean the registry of any miscellaneous, leftover keys pertaining to Comodo Firewall.  You can do this by either of the following:
     8a.  Go to Start/Run, type "regedit"
          8a1.  Go to Edit/Find and type in "Comodo"
          8a2.  Delete those entries (this presumes that you only have their firewall installed)
     8b.  Use a free utility like RegSeeker, ccleaner, etc to clean out the registry.
     Note:  If you are not comfortable working in the "guts" of Windows, I recommend 8b over 8a.  In either case, be sure to make backups (in regedit this is the "Export" feature; in any utility software like RegSeeker, there should be an option box to create a backup prior to deletion).
9.  Reboot your computer.  The Comodo Firewall should be gone.

Hope that helps,

LM       

[BenHardy]

Hi
Thanks for your rapid reply and clear instructions.
Unfortunately they have not solved the problem!
When we get to 5c: 'Reboot your computer' I get as far as logging on and then it freezes at Desktop - the background image is showing plus the mouse pointer but nothing else - no Task Bar, no nothing.
I can bring up Task Manager but no buttons work.

I then rebooted into Safe Mode and followed your procedures again. At each Reboot (6, 7b1, 9) Windows got stuck, as at 5c.

I then attempted to follow all procedures and rebooted into Safe Mode each time until the end - still no luck.

Here are the Registry entries I found and deleted:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\COMODO Firewall Pro
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Comodo Launch Pad Tray
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Comodo Personal Firewall
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\CmdAgent
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\CmdMon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Inspect
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\CmdAgent
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\CmdMon
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Services\Inspect

I also found the following Registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Enum\Root\LEGACY_CMDAGENT\0000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Enum\Root\LEGACY_CMDMON\0000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Enum\Root\LEGACY_INSPECT\0000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Enum\Root\LEGACY_CMDAGENT\0000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Enum\Root\LEGACY_CMDMON\0000
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Enum\Root\LEGACY_INSPECT\0000

but was unable to delete them due to the Windows message: 'Error while deleting key'

Thank Gates I created a Restore Point before attempting to uninstall Comodo Firewall otherwise my computer would now be non-operational.

Please advise

Ben

[Little Mac]

Something is going on, BenHardy, besides a Comodo issue, in my opinion.

Let me see if I can drum up some more help for you.

LM

[Soyabeaner]

Something nasty no doubt.  Any errors in event viewer (run this Windows command from the start menu: eventvwr.msc)?  Any memory dumps?  Are you even able to run scandisk?

To delete legacy registry keys, you have to right-click on them and grant yourself full permissions.

[concerned807]

I want to do a complete manual uninstall of Comodo Firewall Pro 2.4.18.184. The completeness can never be stressed enough. I want to achieve a result as if I have never installed CFP. I have to perform all tasks accurately and decisively as I am not in luxury of system restore. 

I appreciate greatly Little Mac's detailed CFP uninstall guide shown in the below post in this thread.
http://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,302.msg54888.html#msg54888

However I still need your kind advices about uninstall aspects I don't feel fully covered in the guide.


********QUESTIONS********

1. Manual clean-up - directories and files:
What CFP install directory/file residuals do I want to double-check to remove, after running the official uninstaller?

2. Manual clean-up - registry entries:
Can you kindly show me the complete list of all CPF-associated deletable registry keys?
Or at least a complete list of search keywords for use while running Regedit.exe?
Is the search keyword, "comodo" alone as mentioned by Little Mac, enough to remove all CPF registry residuals?

3. Is there a CFP registry clean-up tool provided officially or unofficially that has been proven to work?

4. As for other aspects of uninstall - removing drivers/services, will the Little Mac's guide sufficient? Is there anything more to add?

5. In summary, complete uninstall of CFP involves the followings. Anymore tasks I need perform?
- Stop CPF services
- Run the official installer
- Double-check to remove directories and files
- Remove all CFP associated registries
- Double-check WSC if necessary rebuild the WMI Repository folder

6. Has the uninstaller bug completely eliminated in the current CPF build 2.4.18.184?
I see the uninstall difficulty has been reported since last May 2006 to March 2007...

I'd greatly appreciate your patience and kind help!

[Soyabeaner]

I want to do a complete manual uninstall of Comodo Firewall Pro 2.4.18.184. The completeness can never be stressed enough. I want to achieve a result as if I have never installed CFP. I have to perform all tasks accurately and decisively as I am not in luxury of system restore.

I feel the same way about uninstall software: they need to be thorough!  That's why started using Zsoft Uninstaller and it's the best one I've found.

1. The only files and directories that I know of that might still exist after the official uninstaller has executed have the word "Comodo" - conduct a Windows search on all (hidden) files.  Pretty much what BenHardy posted covers everything I know of.  Those legacy keys are generated by Windows and can only be deleted by right-clicking on them to set the permissions on Full Control to yourself.

2.  Other than the word "Comodo", try looking for "cpf" in regedit.

3.  CCleaner and RegSeeker.  The latter is especially powerful, so be careful on what you delete.

...Instead of manual labour, if you want to feel peace of mind just install it again with Zsoft Uninstaller and then uninstall it.  Its Before and After functions are easy and it's safe if you recognize the files and registry names its prompts asks you.

[concerned807]

Thanks for your reply, Soya.

However I am still looking for definite responses (official?) to my below inquiries. I want to precisely know what directories/files and registry keys to remove after regular uninstaller uninstall.

====Questions====
2. Manual clean-up - registry entries:
Can you kindly show me the complete list of all CPF-associated deletable registry keys?
Or at least a complete list of search keywords for use while running Regedit.exe?
Is the search keyword, "comodo" alone as mentioned by Little Mac, enough to remove all CPF registry residuals?

3. Is there a tool provided officially or unofficially that automatically clean up all CFP registries?

6. Has the uninstaller bug completely eliminated in the current CPF build 2.4.18.184?
I see the uninstall difficulty has been reported since last May 2006 to March 2007...
====Questions====

As the creator of CPF, Comodo support personnel should know exactly what to remove manually  for a clean uninstall. And not be afraid to advise that. I filed a support ticket and hope I can get straightforward answers. I have read various threads about clean uninstall on this forum, however I have yet found a complete list of registry keys to clean up.

If the current build installer can not cleanly remove every install residuals, it is common sense to expect that an officially certified reg-cleaner should be available.

[concerned807]

[at]Soya:

About all residual registries to remove, I want the BenHardy's findings in below post be officially certified. This is because BenHardy's report shows negative result.
http://forums.comodo.com/index.php/topic,302.msg54976.html#msg54976

1. I am afraid Zsoft Uninstaller isn't gonna help me, as I don't have pre-install snapshot.
I trust my manual labor than anything else. I consider myself comfortable working with registries.

2. As for registry cleaner, I have been using jv16 Power Tools 1.41 for years. But I will check those you kindly recommended.

********Three follow-up questions********
7. Is the current CPF 2.4.18.184 installer Comodo's own or InstallShield's?

8. I would think no but want to double-check: Is Launch Pad still included in the current CPF 2.4.18.184 even for single program install - CPF?

9. Is the best to perform all uninstall and clean-up tasks under Windows Safe Mode?

[Soyabeaner]

********Three follow-up questions********
7. Is the current CPF 2.4.18.184 installer Comodo's own or InstallShield's?

8. I would think no but want to double-check: Is Launch Pad still included in the current CPF 2.4.18.184 even for single program install - CPF?

9. Is the best to perform all uninstall and clean-up tasks under Windows Safe Mode?

7.  Comodo's own.  They haven't used the others since a very old version.
8.  Same.  LaunchPad hasn't been inclued since very old versions, even before I joined.
9.  Safe Mode is indeed safer, but it's not necessary.

[duntuk]

http://download.comodo.com/cpf/download/setups/alpha/CFP_Setup_3.0.2.5_Alpha_Vista_x64.exe

i tried installing from my file server... on a brand new vista x64 install... and during install it cut off the network connection... no confirmation message or anything about successful install... rebooted and there it was running... network was working...

so tried uninstalling... because there was no start menu entry or anything (due to half ass installation) ...

here's where it all went to sh*t...

1. there was no uninstall anywhere... (yes i tried re-installing, it complained to add/remove first)
2. tried the uninstall utility zip file in the faq... that didn't work...
3. tried manually deleting registry entries... there was a sh*t load (again, huge pain in ass)
4. tried reinstalling the same alpha (since couldn't download anything else ; network was completely down)... it wouldn't allow me, stating "use add/remove"... so more entries were still there... deleted those (there were permission problems)
5. deleted device manager entries...
6. tried reinstalling nvidia 680i network drivers... that didn't work (tried uninstall/install)
and finally...
7 had to reinstall vista 64...

so all in all.. do not install from a network... copy locally first... and hope comodo creates a working uninstall utility (something like symantec has for their pooty products)

[Soyabeaner]

Welcome to your forum, duntuk.

I think you should report this in the Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.2.5 Alpha Bug Reports (Vista 64 bit ONLY) thread as I'm sure the devs would love know your feedback and bug reports.

[Tracy522]

Hello,
I can't un-install the firewall...... because it is Not in add/remove programs.
There are No directories under program files for Comodo or Firewall.

I can't re-install because it shows error box that claims Comodo is still installed by an older installer.

Can I edit the registry to get this resolved?
Is there another way?

Do I have to reformat just to get this resolved?
I have looked through these forums for the last 45 minutes. I can't say an
answer for this isn't here but I don't have time to just sit and go through
forums all afternoon to find it. If there is a Un-install/Re-install problem it
does need to be addressed. If anyone has an answer PLEASE HELP!

If I must reformat, then I'll change to another firewall. I don't have time to
be a beta test experiment.
Thanks

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