Help. Can't install/uninstall Java.

[Harvey]

I have a new problem in that I can't uninstall Java on two of my friends' machines running Win 7 using either Add/Remove Programs or Java Ra. Others around the web report similar difficulties with Revo Uninstaller.

I'm afraid it may get down to brute force methods -- Deleting the actual program folder and manually editing the registry. I don't mind doing that to my machines because I always clone my drive before starting any such work, but that may not be an option on my friends' machines. Any ideas?

Following up on my previous posts in this thread, since the new alert about Java came out a few days ago, I've uninstalled Java ver. 6.38 from my machine, and I won't be putting any version of Java back until they resolve their security fuster cluck.

 

[bruceb]

Harvey, you do realize you can Export the Registry and save it, before you do any work on it. If you then mess up really bad, you can reimport the entire registry as it was before you began. You can also do this with individual registry keys.

For Windows 7 see here:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/backup-registry-windows-7.htm

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm

 

[Harvey]

Harvey, you do realize you can Export the Registry and save it, before you do any work on it. If you then mess up really bad, you can reimport the entire registry as it was before you began. You can also do this with individual registry keys.

For Windows 7 see here:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/backup-registry-windows-7.htm

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/registry.htm

Thanks. Yes, I know how to export and restore the Registry and removed/altered keys, and I always back it up before attempting open heart surgury on it, but still, it's a tedious operation so search for all keys containing "Java" (which also finds "javascript"), "jre" and "Oracle," and there's always the chance that one accidental wrong deletion could stop a machine from booting or working correctly.

Another Java Zero-Day Vulnerability Hits Black Market

Call it malware cash and carry: Less than 24 hours after Oracle Sunday released a security update that addresses two critical zero-day vulnerabilities in Java that are being actively exploited by attackers, an online vulnerability seller began offering a brand-new Java bug for sale.

"On Monday, an administrator of an exclusive cybercrime forum posted a message saying he was selling a new Java 0day to a lucky two buyers. The cost: starting at $5,000 each," said security reporter Brian Krebs, who was the first to report the vulnerability sales offer.
.
.

At this point, my prime concern is getting Java off of all of my friends' and family's computers. Fortunately, of the two Win 7 machines I'm dealing with, one's a laptop, and one's a Dell desktop. They both have recovery partitions so I can save all their data and installation files and restore them to a factory fresh installation. That's a lot of work, too, but it may be less hassle than fighting with a vulnerable program with a separate, documented history of problems when trying to uninstall it. Personally, I think Oracle is in big trouble.

 

[lxskllr]

Thanks. Yes, I know how to export and restore the Registry and removed/altered keys, and I always back it up before attempting open heart surgury on it, but still, it's a tedious operation so search for all keys containing "Java" (which also finds "javascript"), "jre" and "Oracle," and there's always the chance that one accidental wrong deletion could stop a machine from booting or working correctly.

I'd do the backup, then manually delete the Java files/folders. Reboot, then run CCleaner, and have it autofix all registry "problems". Since the Java folders are gone, that should show up as a problem. Reboot again to see if it still works, then do a quick manual search of the registry. You got rid of the folders, and you got rid of the registry entries, so there's nothing to exploit.

 

[Harvey]

I'd do the backup, then manually delete the Java files/folders. Reboot, then run CCleaner, and have it autofix all registry "problems". Since the Java folders are gone, that should show up as a problem. Reboot again to see if it still works, then do a quick manual search of the registry. You got rid of the folders, and you got rid of the registry entries, so there's nothing to exploit.

Exactly what I was thinking. Either great minds think alike, or my subscription to Pacific Telephone and Telepath is really paying off! :biggrin:

The laptop belongs to a friend, and I can clone her drive before starting to test the method. The other is in a commercial environment. Although it's not on a company network, I wouldn't have enough access to it away from business hours so cloning the drive won't be an option.

 

[hclarkjr]

harvey, seen this today on majorgeeks http://majorgeeks.com/JavaRA_d5982.html and thouhgt of your troubles.

 

[Harvey]

harvey, seen this today on majorgeeks http://majorgeeks.com/JavaRA_d5982.html and thouhgt of your troubles.

Thanks. That's ver. 2.1, which is really new. I'd already tried ver. 2.0, and it failed to remove it. I'll try again with ver. 2.1, but I'm thinking lxskllr is right about deleting the program folder (wich WILL kill the program) and running CCleaner... but only after backing up the drive.

 

[lxskllr]

Thanks. That's ver. 2.1, which is really new. I'd already tried ver. 2.0, and it failed to remove it. I'll try again with ver. 2.1, but I'm thinking lxskllr is right about deleting the program folder (wich WILL kill the program) and running CCleaner... but only after backing up the drive.

Don't forget the hidden files in AppData under the user name. You'll likely find something in LocalLow, and it wouldn't hurt to check Local and Roaming also.

 

[Harvey]

Don't forget the hidden files in AppData under the user name. You'll likely find something in LocalLow, and it wouldn't hurt to check Local and Roaming also.

Thanks. Yes, I'm aware of them, as well.

 

[Harvey]

Interesting update - I just visited the business and looked at their program files folders. Under the x86 (32 bit), the Java folder was there, but the actual executable files had been removed, and there was no Java folder under the 64 bit section. However, both 32 and 64 bit versions are still listed under Add/Remove Programs.

Great programming you have, Oracle! :thumbsdown: