How To Remove and then Reinstall NetMeeting

This article describes how to remove and then reinstall NetMeeting.

Note: The steps to remove and reinstall NetMeeting may be required when a user attempts to install other versions of NetMeeting on a Windows 2000 system. At this time, the only supported version of NetMeeting for Windows 2000 is the version that installs as part of the Operating System.

Newer versions of NetMeeting are aware of this issue and will not install on Windows 2000, for example, NetMeeting 3.0 SP2. But, older versions of NetMeeting, for example, NetMeeting 2.11 will attempt to install on a Windows 2000 system. Although the NetMeeting 2.11 installation will complete, the Windows 2000 Windows File Protection feature will attempt to rewrite the correct files. That process can cause a the following problems: If you attempt to uninstall a NetMeeting 2.x installation, all of the files and registry entries for NetMeeting are removed. Although the Windows File Protection feature replaces the files, the registry entries are not overwritten unless you reinstall NetMeeting. Note: You can also use the following procedure to correct problems with an earlier version of NetMeeting.

Removing and then Reinstalling NetMeeting

1. Copy the Msnetmtg.inf file from the %SystemRoot%\Inf folder to your desktop.
2. Click Start, click Run, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
   %SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection NetMtg.Remove 132 msnetmtg.inf
   NOTE: This command is case-sensitive so you must type it exactly as it appears.
   
   
3. Right-click the Msnetmtg.inf file that you copied to your desktop, and then click Install. If you are prompted, insert your Windows 2000 CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.
4. After the installation procedure is finished, restart your computer.

Windows 2000 does not allow you to install NetMeeting 3.x, however you can install NetMeeting 2.x. Although files are overwritten in versions of NetMeeting 2.x with the correct files that are protected by the Windows File Protection feature, this can cause one of the following problems:

• NetMeeting may not work correctly; you may have problems with the audio and video features.
• NetMeeting is listed as "uninstalled" in the Add/Remove Programs tool.

If you start the uninstallation procedure, all of the files and registry entries for NetMeeting are removed. Although the Windows File Protection feature replaces the files, the registry entries are not overwritten unless you reinstall NetMeeting.