When ever installing, upgrading or removing software please follow this procedure.   This includes Netscape Plugins or Internet Explorer upgrades or installs.

Installing or Upgrading

1) Close all applications - Go to the bottom bar and right click on all icons and close them.  You can leave the application that you are upgrading if necessary.

2) Close all hidden applications - press Ctrl, Alt & Delete keys all at once.   This brings up the Close Program dialog box.  Highlight each program and choose "End Task".  All these programs should be closed except Explorer.   Ending Explorer will cause the system to shut down. Again you can leave the application that you are upgrading running if necessary.

3) Run the Emergency Recovery Utility (ERU).  This utility will backup the registry if the install goes bad and it also leaves a record of which program was installed when for debugging purposes.  To run this program go to the Start button > Run > type C:\ERD\Eru\Eru.exe > Next > Pick "Other Directory" > Next > Type  C:\ERD\Acrobat (this should describe your install or upgrade) > Next > OK

4) Always install from the Control Panel if you can.  Go to Start button > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Install >  It will search for what you are installing so your floppy or CD should be inserted before you choose Next > If the install program, usually called setup.exe is not found you must find it so pick browse > Now it get interesting > After you find your file choose Open or possible Finish > Follow the install wizard instructions.

Removing

This is almost the same as installing:

1) Close all applications - Go to the bottom bar and right click on all icon and close them.  You can leave the application that you are upgrading if necessary.

2) Close all hidden applications - press Ctrl, Alt & Delete keys all at once.   This brings up the Close Program dialog box.  Highlight each program and choose "End Task".  All these programs should be closed except Explorer.   Ending Explorer will cause the system to shut down. Again you can leave the application that you are upgrading running if necessary.

3) Run the Emergency Recovery Utility (ERU).  This utility will backup the registry if the install goes bad and it also leaves a record of which program was removed and when for debugging purposes.  To run this program go to the Start button > Run > type C:\ERD\Eru\Eru.exe > Next > Pick "Other Directory" > Next > Type  C:\ERD\Acrobat (this should describe your install or upgrade) > Next > OK

4) Go to Start button > Settings > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Highlight the program to be removed > Add/Remove

Installing the Emergency Recovery Utility (ERU)

1) Downloaded file eruzip.exe (near bottom of page) download ERU from Microsoft
2) In Windows Exploring - go to C drive - C:\
At top left: File > New > Folder > ERD
Go to ERD create folder ERU as before
3) Copy eruzip.exe to c:\ERD\ERU
4) Go to C:\ERU\ERD and run eruzip.exe - This will unzip the files and place them in this folder

Additional articles on ERU and protecting the Operating System:
Microsoft's Information on ERU

Help for Disaster Recovery
Great Windows 98 Utilities