INF: Manually Removing SQL 6.5 After Failed Install

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IMPORTANT: If you currently have data that needs to be saved, before using the following steps, make sure you have a known good backup of the data or a copy of all data and log files that need to be saved in a directory other than the MSSQL directory tree.

To get the system to a clean, stable install point, you must first remove any possible conflicting software. Please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more details:

Next, verify through the Windows NT Event logs that no hardware problems are currently being detected.

Finally, use these steps to manually remove SQL Server 6.5:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Select Start, point to Settings, choose Control Panel, and then select Services. If either the MSSQLServer or SQLExecutive services are running, stop them.
2. Use Regedt32.exe to remove the following keys in the registry:
   
   

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
            Software
                 Microsoft
                    MSSQLServer
    
   							

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
            System
               CurrentControlSet
                  Services
                     MSSQLServer
    
   							

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
            System
               CurrentControlSet
                  Services
                     SQLExecutive
    
   							

   Remove MSSQLServer and SQLExecutive for each ControlSet key present under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System.
   
   NOTE: It is possible that a ControlSet key may contain only one of the services, or neither service. The goal is to clean both the MSSQLServer and SQLExecutive services out of every ControlSet key, so delete either of the services present.
3. Right-click My Computer:
   
   
   1. Choose properties.
   2. Select the Environment tab.
   3. Select the path variable in the box below System Variables and review it in the box to the right of Value. Remove any references to the SQL Server directories from the path statement along with verifying there are no double semi-colons (;;) present. If double semi-colons are present, change them to single semi-colons (;).
4. Copy any .out files to a directory other than the MSSQL directory tree. These files can provide further information about the reasons for the failed setup; hence they should be examined thoroughly and all reported problems should be resolved before attempting to rerun setup.
5. Remove the SQL Server directory tree completely.

SQL Server should now be completely removed from the system.

Note that setup is based on a very specific install order, all server type applications must be installed first and all user applications must be installed last. For further information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: