Cannot Uninstall Office Pro XP 2002 Without Orig CD?

[CandleMan]

Hi Gang:

I am so ticked off that something so easy is being this darned HARD!! I
need to uninstall Office Pro XP (or "10") but keep encountering the following
message:

Error 1316. Setup cannot read from file
C:\WINDOWS\Installer\PROPLUS.MSI. Check your connection to the network, or
CD-ROM drive. For other potential solutions to this problem, see C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\SETUP.HLP.

Unfortunately, I lost the original CD's while moving so I can't even check
the CD to see if a PROPLUS.MSI file is on it. There IS, however, such a file
where the message indicates on the C drive but it must be unreadable (I
guess). From the point of the error message, cancelling rolls back all the
uninstall done to that point. Bottom line... how do I get the darned
software OFF my computer??

I really have searched the boards, help and Googled this problem but can't
find an answer. I'm proficient at modifying the registry and
removing/editing files, so if any of you expert, quasi-geeky computing
genius' have a fix then I'd be so grateful.

BTW- I run Windows XP Home Edition on a Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop if that
helps.

 

[strawbale]

I have exactly the same problem. Did you ever find a solution? If so, would
you care to share it???

 

[CandleMan]

Oh my gosh... what a NIGHTMARE!! Microsoft tech support has been working on
this for the past two days and has tried:

- manually removing ALL versions of office,
- multiple re-installs of Office
- has had "shared control" of my computer for nearly 8 hours and STILL
cannot work out the problem.

In fact, when the install of Office 2007 finally DID install it did NOT
include Outlook because of some problem regarding legacy files for Frontpage.
Anyway... the bottom line is that the issue has been "escalated" to
"MicroSoft Research" and they will contact me back tomorrow. My opinion is
that they don't know what all the legacy files and/or registry keys are for
Office 2002. They are suggesting that they might have me download the "trial
version" of Office Professional 2007 from their website, then simply give me
a new key since they are not certain exactly what is on the original
installation disks that I have for Office 2007.

I'll update after they contact me tomorrow but, for now, just know that if
you are in this situation of having to uninstall Office 2002 without the
original CD then you are screwed and going to have problems. Good thing I
get 90 days of free support!