Trouble deleting a CD ripper

JHarts

New Member
Messages
6
I downloaded a CD ripper the other day called EZ CD. I want to uninstall it but am running into problems everywhere I turn.

When I try to uninstall from Control Panel I get a message that says ezcd64.dll is in use. According to Task Manager, it is not. I tried opening the program and Xing out of it (there are no menu choices to close or exit) but I still get the same error. There isn't an option to uninstall from the Programs list in Classic Shell. When I go to the metro screen (or whatever it's called now), I get an undelete option but it just opens the Control Panel and I get the same error message.

I tried going to C: Program Files (it is in there, not Program Files (x86)). There is an uninstall.exe file but when I launch it, I get this message: Invalid start mode archive file name.

I read somewhere where I should try to close anything running in the background in Task Manager that the CD software might be using. I can't even begin to figure out what those might be and know just enough about computers to be dangerous. I tried closing iTunes which wasn't open but some piece of it was running. That's about as brave as I got and when I tried uninstalling from Control Panel after stopping that, I got the same error.

Any ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
Try Unlocker by right clicking the Dll once Unlocker is installed. It's good to have in any case. If that doesn't allow the uninstall to proceed post back.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Didn't work. Installed it but it didn't function the way it said it should. Anything else I can try?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
Well, I found a different Unlocker by IObit, installed it and it worked beautifully. Except it removed Classic Shell and I'm wondering if it removed anything else. Ugh.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
Well, I found a different Unlocker by IObit, installed it and it worked beautifully. Except it removed Classic Shell and I'm wondering if it removed anything else. Ugh.

Do you have a Restore Point? That might put back what was removed.
By the way, have you logged off or rebooted? Also when you say Unlocker didn't work can you give specifics? Did it say which process had the Dll open? Are you running an AV real time shield? AV shields can really interfere with the machine working as designed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
I do have a restore point. That will put back anything that was removed, but it will also put back the EZ CD program.

I have not logged off or rebooted :-/

When I went to install Unlocker (the one you recommended, not the IObit version), I went through the wizard and declined all the garbage it wanted to add. I also selected Advanced mode because otherwise it was going to install more junk. Once installed, I went to Programs and launched it. It did nothing. I thought maybe it was adding the "unlock" menu item to everything and I, therefore, wasn't supposed to see anything going on, but there isn't any unlock function added to any of the right-click menus. So I'm really not sure it installed correctly.

My AV shield does run in real time. I'm not real keen on running anything with it off - especially when it has as many reviews mentioning malware as there are for Unlocker.

I'm going to restore and see what that does. Maybe I'll be able to figure out if the IObit program is just disarming Classic Shell or if it's interfering with more programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
I reinstalled Classic Shell. Then I thought that was stupid and I should go back to a restore point that I happened to set yesterday. did a restore and it brought back the EZ CD. I was about to reinstall one of the Unlockers - hadn't really decided which one to try - and I notices that all the folders under Libraries were funny looking and when I clicked on them, I got a message Documents.Libraries-ms is no longer working. Same with Music, Pictures and Videos. Nothing lost because those folders duplicate what is under My Documents, etc. under my user folder. I've never really understood the duplication.

Anyways, I figured that might be bad so I went back and undid the restore. Very weird - EZ CD is gone, Unlocker is gone and so is OIbit Unlocker.

So at the end of it all, the program I wanted deleted is gone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
Next time use Revo uninstaller.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I use Revo Uninstaller Pro for uninstalling programs. However, the free version will not uninstall 64 bit programs, only 32 bit. The full paid version is needed for 64 bit programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
I use Revo Uninstaller Pro for uninstalling programs. However, the free version will not uninstall 64 bit programs, only 32 bit. The full paid version is needed for 64 bit programs.
Never noticed that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Hi there

Before installing anything take a backup -- decent backup programs only take around 15 mins or so to backup your OS -- especially (as you should) keep the OS and PGMS separate from USER DATA such as Music libraries etc.

Then restore if the application doesn't work.

Far better and safer than all these uninstallers / registry cleaners etc etc

Too much FREE software comes with either hobbled bits (the bit you want -- "Go PRO" (i.e PAY) or toolbars or adware or installed via using a "special installer" or a combination of all of them.

I don't mind people earning money but conditions should be clearly stated -- not installed as "sneakerware" or making the downloads so hard to find within a mountain of Green download arrows for other software which seems to happen on more and more sites.

I'm very careful now as to what freeware I use on Windows -- mp3tag, handbrake, treesize free, Calibre, and VLC are probably the only Freeware I have on Windows now.

If you do need decent freeware use proper sites such as ORACLE VBOX / VMWARE VMPLAYER or the like -- be VERY careful now when you download anything from other well known public sites -- it's not that they are dangerous in themselves but they seem to be designed deliberately to confusing the downloader into downloading all sorts of stuff and making the original piece of software you want almost impossible to download without a whole load of other addons. Sites like CNET are experts in that type of approach -- I wonder how many people have accidentally downloaded AVS video converter plus a whole slew of other things or Ilivid etc.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
If you look at the displayed programs in Revo Uninstaller Free and there are some not being shown, most likely they are the 64 bit programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
If you look at the displayed programs in Revo Uninstaller Free and there are some not being shown, most likely they are the 64 bit programs.
I have a Pro version for long time now, don't remember any more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Jimbo -

Thanks for the advice. I totally agree - I don't begrudge anyone from making a living but it is so unfair to load it with crap that is semi-hidden. I do appreciate being able to try something before buying but I tend to distrust software that is free. The only exception that I've found is mwsnap (as important to me as air) and, like you mentioned, handbrake and treesize.

I have a real knowledge gap when it comes to backups. I do restore points on a fairly regular basis and I constantly copy files from my laptops to an external hard drive (actually two, because I have trust issues) but have never done a backup - I guess because (1) I don't really understand and (2) someone told me once that if I backup or do a system image and my hard drive crashes, I wouldn't want to use that backup or image because it could be corrupt. True or not, it was all I needed to ignore what seemed to be a complicated process. Maybe I should change my thinking. Is the backup software built into Win8 sufficient or is there something better out there?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
I do several kinds of backups. One is complete system backup with Macrium Reflect. This one is done when Windows was fresh, all proper drivers installed and Most essential programs like MS Office, only ones I trust. Another system backup once every two weeks of the system in working order but everything else installed. With that one I only replace the older one or do incrementally. Those ones are just for system (boot disk), For other disks containing data (I never keep any data on system disk), The most important (and expensive ) programs I have ISO backup of on 2 HDDs and some, if I don't have original CD/DVDs of, I make those too. In addition to that I have serial numbers for them written in a book and keep original disk wrappers for them.
Precious pictures, scanned documents, music etc I have separate backup for on a removable HDD and DVDs, some of them on two.
Hope this doesn't look too paranoid, but some stuff can't ever be replaced. My internet is just too slow for now but if it gets much better, some of that stuff will go to the cloud somewhere too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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