Ed

Thanks for your, somewhat harsch, reply.

The situation that you describe (Scratchpad etc) is just what I wanted to avoid by asking my question.

Just because there are so many SQL Server (related) programs active, I was wondering how to tackle the Uninstall. How to do it right and how to avoid bits and pieces of "old" installs lying around and interfering with a new try.

And because I am extra careful not to damage the system I had, I made, prior to all attempts, a restore point, as well as a systemimage, just to be save.

So I share your concern.

After my thread I have uninstalled and reinstalled SQL Server and so far it all seems to works alright.

Hein