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How To Remove Oracle Client Software From A Windows Platform

NOTES: This is a modified version of Oracle Note: 124506.1 to be used for Ohio UniversityData Warehouse client installations needing to remove Oracle client 8.06 before installingOracle client 9i2. For original Oracle notes see the Oracle client page atwww.ohiou.edu/datawarehouse.

The current configuration for OU Data Warehouse access uses Microsoft ODBC drivers. If you

are using Oracle ODBC drivers for any applications, be aware that a custom installation ofOracle 9i2 will be needed and that you will need to delete and recreate the ODBC data sources touse the new drivers. See the data warehouse web page for instructions to install oracle odbcdrivers from the 9i2 cd. There is also a patch on the web page that will need installed also.

Also, if you have an Oracle database installed on this computer please ask for instructionsspecific to the removal of an Oracle Database.

WARNING: This procedure will remove ALL Oracle Client Software from your computer.Please make an image backup of your computer before performing these steps. If you do notwant to remove ALL of your Oracle Client Software, please do not perform this procedure.

PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING ORACLE CLIENT

1. Log into the Windows operating system as a user with Administrator privileges.

2. Make a backup of your registry by opening the registry editor [Start | Run | type regedit | hitOK] then exporting the registry [in registry editor -> File | Export Registry File].

3. Make backup copies of your TNSNAMES.ORA and SQLNET.ORA files. These files arelocated in your oracle home directorys network\admin\ subdirectory and will be deleted whenOracle is removed. Sample oracle home directorys are: Oracle, OraNT, OraWin95, and

OraWin.

4. Go into the Services Control Panel. There may not be any Oracle services running on yourcomputer.

Windows XP Start | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | ServicesWindows 2000 Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services

a. Stop any services that are running with the name OracleXXX

b. If present, it is recommended you additionally stop the following 3rd-party services which

may place locks on certain Oracle software files:

i. Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC)ii. Internet Information Server (IIS) Admin Service

5. Open the Oracle Installer (start | programs) and uninstall all Oracle Client Software. Youshould be able to remove everything except the installer itself. If there is a problem removingany particular component, skip it and continue removing the rest of the components. Performthis step for each Oracle Home you have installed on the computer.

6. Run the Registry Editor [Start | Run | type regedit | hit OK] and delete the following

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ORACLE folders if they exist:

a. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ORACLEb. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ORACLE

7. Use the Registry Editor to delete all existing ORACLE services by removing these keys:

a. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\OracleXXX

b. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet00X\Services\OracleXXX

There are typically two control sets, ControlSet001 and ControlSet002. But, yourenvironment may be different. Therefore, check all of your control sets, signified by theX, that exist in your registry.

8. Use the Windows Explorer to delete all folders on your hard drive that contain Oracle ClientSoftware. You may have permission problems deleting an oracle folder. If this is the case, gointo the oracle folder and delete all subfolders except the bin folder. Then, go into the bin folderand delete as much as you can. Reboot the computer and you should be able to delete the oraclefolder. Dont ask why!

Common folder names to look for: Oracle, OraNT, OraWin95, OraWin

9. Check the Start | Programs menu and look for any remaining Oracle folders. If any exist,remove them by opening Windows Explorer and deleting the Oracle folders listed in thefollowing:

Windows 2000/XP C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs andC:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs

10. Check your PATH and CLASSPATH environment variables and remove any part that stillreferences Oracle.

Windows 2000Go to the desktop and right-click My Computer. ChooseProperties and click the Advanced tab. Click the EnvironmentVariables button.

Windows XP Start | Control Panel. Open the System control panel.Choose the Advanced tab and then click the EnvironmentVariables button.

11. Empty the Recycle Bin and reboot your computer. You are now ready to install new Oraclesoftware. (Before installing Oracle software make sure you have logged into the Windowsoperating system as a user with Administrator privileges.)