Age of Empires Forums

I've installed AOE 3 (on Windows 7 64 bit) from the three discs, as so many here it just doesn't wanna play. So I tried to uninstall and reinstall AOE BUT whenever I start the first disc now I only get the options of Start and Uninstall (and both do absolutely nothing). Used Windows Utility, Revo Uninstaller. Wiped everything that remotly sounds like AOE ... but still only get the options Start or Uninstall ...

 HELP! 

Here is the new Microsoft FixIt, you might try this before you try anything else.

Fix problems with programs that can't be installed or uninstalled

Thanks guy but no cigar so far ...

The Microsoft FiXit can't find AOE so I can't remove it ... then it asks for a product ID or something.

Wouldn't mind spending 40 mins for the solution as I'm already spending two days on it!

When I put in the disc and open it or open the .exe file as Administrator, I can still only choose Play or Uninstall. If I press uninstall, Install Wizard opens ... and closes ... if I press play, I get cant find age3.exe. 

Assuming you have a legitimate copy of Windows and of the game and the FixIt failed, then clear your temporary file folder, manually delete any leftover AOE 3 folders and then use CCleaner or the Microsoft Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the Registry entries. You might also need to create a folder in order to get the game to install. All of this information is listed here:

http://forum.agecommunity.com/forums/thread/960099.aspx

The steps work if you perform them as listed -- I (and others) worked these steps out over many uninstall/reinstall attempts. Just a couple of weeks ago I installed a mod that necessitated a complete removal and clean install of the game so that I could play online games again. I followed the procedures (I've done them so many times they are second nature to me) and the uninstall/reinstall went without a hitch (I went the manual deletion CCleaner route).

Thanks for the reply, it is really appreciated but CCleaner, Windows Installer Cleanup Utility and Revo  all can't find anything related to AOE. Even if I search manually I can't find anything related to AOE. But now whenever I insert the disc, I only get Play or Uninstall while I want to install it ...

I would love to follow all these steps described but I need to find the file first that stops me from installing it again; 

Did you go completely through the FixIt and let it do its thing? If so, and you still have no luck:

Make sure your Windows Install is OK

Go to Start

type in

cmd

at the command prompt, type in

sfc /scannow

reboot

Uregister and re-register the Windows Installer

Go to Start

type in

cmd

at the command prompt type in

msiexec /unreg

then

msiexec /regserver

Go to Start

type in

services.msc

find the Windows Installer (the list is alphabetical so it's near the bottom)

start the service

If you are still getting the problem my advice would be to do a either do a repair or even a clean install of Windows. Sometimes systems get so cluttered nothing works right and it's easiest for many users to just start anew. Of course this will depend on your knowledge, experience and system. Advice on how to do this is beyond the purview of this forum. If you want advice on cleaning up your system or wish to explore other options, then you might want to ask your questions here:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/