[Help!] VMware Player

[MoreGun89]

Heya,

So, I was trying to update VMware player today (finally) from version 4.0.something to workstation 9. While uninstalling 4 (I tried from both its original installer, the windows uninstaller, and the 9 installer) it first encountered a bad arguments error, I managed to clean that up after removing all files and registry keys manually and stopping all processes, and removing all devices associated with VMware as well as running their uninstaller script.

Now I'm having an issue with error 1316. Which it can't find "vmware player.msi" in the C:\Windows\Installer folder (which I need to directly access from search to find despite having it show me all hidden folders.) The listed file doesn't exist in that folder (and I did not go into that folder and delete anything), and I can't seem to find a downloadable file for it to test if that's the problem.

I have tried installing on different accounts on my machine to the same effect. I'm just not sure what to do at this point, and I'm not reformatting for the sheer purpose of a fresh VMware install. Any suggestions? I'm pretty much exhausted for ideas at this point!

Thanks!

[MrFancypants]

Maybe do a rollback to last stable windows version or a repair install?

[MoreGun89]

My rollback restore point was far too far in the past to do, and I was an idiot and forgot to create a restore point before doing all of this. Stupid question, but how do I do a repair install? I can't find the option for it. I'm aware of what a dummy I sound like right now XD

[MrFancypants]

I seem to remember that older versions of Windows had that option. Run setup from your Windows CD. Here is a link.

Not sure if that will help, but most of the time the repair install doesn't make things worse. You may want to back up important files though.

[MoreGun89]

OH a repair install of Windows, I thought you meant of VMware. Good god though, that's the closest you could get to a reformat :/

[MrFancypants]

How about this, first response looks good:
VMware Communities: Problem of uninstall VMware Player

[MoreGun89]

I came across that article in my search, but didn't read all the way through, I ended up with the same result as post #14 with the "bad arguments for :cfgfile" error :/ Also, thanks again for your patience and help.

[MoreGun89]

So, I ran the Windows Fix It utility today just to see what the result would be. I tried to uninstall the old player again and at least the message I get on any uninstall (clean and vanilla) is now "The MSI has Failed", slightly less cryptic than before.

Any thoughts?