Removing a BOINC Client Software Installation With The Windows Installer Program
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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:
- You must have an operational computer.
- The BOINC Client Software has to be removed.
[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] Locate the "Installer" program
If you followed the advice we gave you for preserving the "Installer" Package, it will be available on one or more of your computers. Locate the "Installer" and copy it to a location on the computer that you wish to repair.
[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
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
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.
With the "General" tab selected on the "Properties" window, click on the "Stop" button.
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
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.
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] Performing the Un-Install
[edit] Explanation
This is the actual process to remove the BOINC Client Software from the computer.
[edit] Running The Windows® "Installer"
Now we can run the "Installer" to perform an installation, update, repair, or removal of the BOINC Client Software on the computer.
[edit] "Installer" Icon
At this point you should have an installer Program" icon like this on your Desktop (or in the location you saved the "Installer" file).
[edit] "Security Warning" Screen
Depending on the version of Microsoft Windows® that you are running you may see this run time warning after you start the "Installer Program".
Click the "Run" button.
[edit] "Splash" Screen
You should see a "Splash" screen like this example as the installer starts the installation process.
[edit] "Welcome" Screen
This is a "Welcome" screen that tells you what program you are going to install.
Click the "Next >" button.
[edit] "Upgrading BOINC" Screen
This screen indicates that the "Installer" program has detected a previous installation of the BOINC Client Software of the same version as is contained within the current "Installer" Package.
Click the "Next >" button.
[edit] "Repair or Remove" Screen
Click on the "Remove" radio button put a green "dot" in it.
Click the "Next >" button.
[edit] "Remove the Program" Screen
This is the "fail-safe" point. If you are not completely sure you want to remove the BOINC Client Software, you can stop at this point. If you are sure, then ...
Click the "Remove" button.
[edit] "Uninstalling BOINC"
Though this screen has a "Cancel" button, there is little point in pressing it. If you decide at this time that you did not want to remove the BOINC Client Software, well, you are going to need to do a fresh install by this time anyway.
So...
[edit] "Finish" Screen
Click the "Finish" button.
[edit] Clean Up
Ok, the BOINC Client Software should be un-installed and non-operational. Time for a break!
[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!
- Installing the BOINC Client Software And Participating In A BOINC Powered Project (Master Guide)
- Choosing a BOINC Powered Project
- Joining a BOINC Powered Project
- Installing:
- Installing The BOINC Client Software on Microsoft Windows® (all versions).
- Installing The BOINC Client Software on Apple Macintosh OS-X (only; do not attempt to install or run the BOINC Client Software on OS-9)
- Installing The BOINC Client Software on Linux (x86 versions only)
- Installing The BOINC Client Software on SPARC/Solaris
- BOINC and SETI@Home Quick Install Guide for HPUX
- Attaching The BOINC Client Software To A BOINC Powered Project
- Updating or Repairing the BOINC Client Software:
- Detaching The BOINC Client Software From A BOINC Powered Project
- Uninstalling the BOINC Client Software:
- Removing a BOINC Client Software Installation With The Windows Installer Program
- Removing a BOINC Client Software Installation With The Windows Control Panel
- Miscellaneous Installation Related Tasks
- Deprecated Procedures
