Can't uninstall program.. (Vista)

So I've installed a program on my computer that is clearly non-compatible with the Vista OS. And now whenever I try to uninstall it, I get the blue screen of death, followed by an automatic restart.

I've tried this a few times with the same result, so now I'm inclined to remove this program manually. I'm not too familiar with playing around with the registry, but what is the best way to go about not only remove a program from the registry, but to also get rid of it in the "Uninstall/Change Program" menu?

Thanks!

PS: I was trying to install Alcohol 120% on my computer. It's similar to Daemon Tools but a lot older.. I just got used to using it..

 

Try a program called ZSoft Uninstaller. It's free.

 

Thanks for the tip.. I tried running ZSoft, but for some reason the program doesn't show up there even though I can see it in the Remove Programs window.. Any other thoughts?

 

Try running a program called CCleaner. Search the registry for issues (back it up first). Tell me what happens...

Also, before you try that, why not do a system restore? Vista automatically reserves an obscene amount of space for this feature, so you might as well use it.

 

I opted for the System Restore. Good call with that.. I had totally forgotten I had that.

 

Looks like you worked out! But the common sense answer is re-install the program! Then Uninstall! Kind of basic, but if you guys want to go out and let others do what is so basic I have no comment!

 

Well, the advantage of the system restore is that it removes virtually all traces of the program.

Also, I would still install ZSoft Uninstaller if I were you, because it has worked very well for me.

On a slightly unrelated note, I went into command prompt and resized the portion of the hard drive Windows uses for system restore from 15.7GB to 8GB.

 

Tried it.. didn't work..

 

The problem with System Restore is that after an unwanted program is installed and uninstalled is that the information about that program remains in the registry. CCleaner will help a bit in deleting those entries. Does the program have it's own uninstall entry in it's directory/folder?

 

I've not seen a situation yet, XP or Vista, where physically deleting the files and directory into which the program was installed followed by a reboot followed by a cleanup of the registry of all entries related to it, followed by a reboot wouldn't remove the program. After that, the Add/Remove programs almost always simply removes the entry.

 

well then you havent installed alcohol 120% on vista yet

 

If all the program files and registry entries are deleted it is gone. Perhaps using something like CCleaner would help?