Removing a BOINC Client Software Installation With The Windows Control Panel

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[edit] General

Though we hope that it will not happen, there are times when it seems that you have no choice but to remove the installation of the BOINC Client Software. In these cases, regrettable that they might be, there is a need to remove the software and restore the system to its original state and condition that it had before the software installation.

In these cases, we can cure the problem with some simple steps.

[edit] Preconditions

In order to complete the procedure outlined in this guide, you must meet the following preconditions:

[edit] Set-Up for the Removal Process

[edit] Explanation

You must do some initial steps to set the stage for the removal process, and stop the BOINC Client Software.

In theory it is possible to un-install an installation of the BOINC Client Software without stopping the BOINC Daemon and the currently running Science Applications. However, I don't recommend the practice.

[edit] Stop the BOINC Client Software

Because the BOINC Client Software makes continuous updates to the BOINC Client Directory, many processes we want to do can cause corruption of the "state" files. To prevent this, all we have to do is stop the BOINC Daemon.

[edit] Single-User or Shared Installations

"Pop-Up" Menu on Microsoft Windows®
"Pop-Up" Menu on Microsoft Windows®

Open the Pop-Up Menu or the BOINC Manager's File Menu and select "Exit" ("Quit" in OS-X). This will shut down the BOINC Manager and the BOINC Daemon.

Goto Verify All BOINC Processes Have Stopped.


[edit] Services Installation

The "Services" Pane
The "Services" Pane

Perform the following:

  • Click on the "Start" Button.
  • Click on "Control Panel".
  • Double-Click on "Administrative Tools" to open the tools folder.
  • Double Click on "Services" (Two gears).

In the "Services" window, locate the entry "BOINC" which is the BOINC Daemon. Right-click on the name and select "Properties" from the pop-up menu.


BOINC Daemon's Properties Window
BOINC Daemon's Properties Window

With the "General" tab selected on the "Properties" window, click on the "Stop" button.


BOINC Daemon's Service Control Window
BOINC Daemon's Service Control Window

A message window with a progress bar will appear and will show the progress of the stop action. It is possible that the BOINC Daemon will not stop. This is usually indicative of more serious problems in Microsoft Windows® than the BOINC Client Software.


[edit] Verify All BOINC Processes Have Stopped

The Task Manager, BOINC Running
The Task Manager, BOINC Running

Depress the CTRL-ALT-DEL keys to bring up the "Task Manager".

Click on the column heading "CPU" twice to sort the column from top to bottom use.

When the BOINC Client Software is running you will see activity on one or more processes. In the example shown here this is for a computer with an Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading and so it shows two processes with 50% each.

On a single threaded CPU you will see one process with time varying up to about 99% which should be the currently executing Science Application.

Project Known Process Names
BOINC boinc
boincmgr
Climateprediction.net hadsm3
hadsm3um
sulphur_cycle
Einstein@Home albert
einstein
LHC@Home sixtrack
Predictor@Home mfoldB
Charmm
PrimeGrid rsa
Rosetta@Home rosetta
SETI@Home setiathome
SIMAP@Home simap
SZTAKI Desktop Grid search
World Community Grid rosetta
Note:
Some of these Application names may be followed by a version number.
Note:
Both Rosetta@Home and World Community Grid use an Application named "rosetta", but in almost all cases the version numbers will be different.


The Task Manager, BOINC Not Running
The Task Manager, BOINC Not Running

If you have been successful in stopping the BOINC Client Software you will see that the "System Idle Process" has most of the available CPU Time.


[edit] Perform The Removal Process

[edit] Explanation

At this time we are ready to remove the "BOINC Client Software".

[edit] Open The Windows Control Panel

"Start" Button
"Start" Button

Left-click on the "Start" Button on the Taskbar.


"Start" Button
"Start" Button

On the "pop-up" menu, select and left-click on the menu item "Control Panel".


[edit] Open "Add or Remove Programs"

Open the "Add or Remove Programs" Tool
Open the "Add or Remove Programs" Tool

Double-click on the icon "Add or Remove Programs" to open the "Add or Remove Programs" Tool.


[edit] Select The "BOINC" Program

Find The "BOINC" Program
Find The "BOINC" Program

Scroll through the list of programs installed and left-click to select the program "BOINC".


[edit] Remove Program "BOINC"

Left-click "Remove" Button
Left-click "Remove" Button

Double check to make sure that the program selected is "BOINC".

Left-click the button "Remove".


[edit] Remove Program "BOINC" Progress

Remove "BOINC" Progress
Remove "BOINC" Progress

The Microsoft Windows® Control Panel's "Add or Remove Programs" Tool will begin the process of removing the "BOINC" application.


[edit] Verify Program Removal

"Start" Button
"Start" Button

The program "BOINC" should no longer be shown in the list of programs.


[edit] Close Control Panel

Using the "Close" control at the top right corner, close all opened windows.

Done!


[edit] Finished Removing The BOINC Client Software

[edit] Explanation

If a complete removal is desired, then the directory that held the BOINC Client Software must also be removed.


[edit] BOINC "How-To" Guides Related To Installation

The list that follows contains the BOINC "How-To" Guides, in rough order of use, that are used in the installation and set-up of the BOINC Client Software.

Note:
Don't panic! I have pictures and everything!
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