There are times when you'll need to reinstall AutoPLANT whether due to problems on the machine, incorrectly uninstalling the first time, or even upgrading. In any event, if you're going to uninstall and reinstall, it's sometimes better to wipe the machine clean. This blog is not intended to retread some information that's already out there, or to give full steps. But this is intended to point you to where we store files for AutoPLANT.

Uninstalling and Deleting Files

1. Before deleting any files, you should go to the desktop menu: Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. You'll have to decide which programs to uninstall. But a full reinstall would require removing AutoDesk and Bentley products including AutoCAD, Projectwise, AutoPLANT, Microstation, etc.,
2. The following folders will contain AutoDesk and Bentley files even after an uninstall:
   
   C:\documents and settings\all users\application data\autodesk
   C:\documents and settings\all users\application data\bentley
   C:\documents and settings\(user.name)\application data\autodesk
   C:\documents and settings\(user.name)\application data\bentley
   C:\documents and settings\(user.name)\local settings\application data\autodesk
   C:\documents and settings\(user.name)\local settings\application data\bentley
   C:\program files\common files\bentley shared
   C:\program files\common files\autodesk shared
   C:\program files\autodesk
   C:\program files\autocad...
   C:\program files\bentley
3. In previous versions (AutoPLANT 2004 Edition and earlier), we stored information in C:\Windows\System32\... If AutoPLANT XM Edition or V8i are the only ones ever installed on this workstation, then you won't have to worry about the other files. But if previous versions were instaling, look for and delete AT_XXXXX.DLL files from that directory.
4. We also store runtime Crystal Reports files in the following directory. If you're having problems with RPT files, delete this directory as well.
   
   C:\Program Files\Business Objects
5. Lastly, you'll have to remove shortcuts. These can be under the desktop menu: Start > All Programs > Bentley or AutoDesk. You'll have to right click on the folders to delete them. And check for any left over shortcuts on your desktop as well.

The Registry Editor

Next, there are registry entries that must be removed.

Go to the desktop menu: Start > Run... and type in REGEDIT to access the Registry Editor.

AutoDesk and Bentley store information in the following locations.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Bentley\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Autodesk\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Bentley\

If you choose to only uninstall Bentley products, keep in mind that AutoPLANT still has AutoCAD profiles stored in the AutoDesk registry folders. So, go to the following folder and delete the AutoPLANT Profiles from it. Please note this is an example folder based on AutoCAD 2008 install. The folder names change depending on the AutoCAD version(s) installed.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AutoDesk\AutoCAD\R17.1\ACAD-6001:409\Profiles\

For Windows 7 64 bit machines, there additional registry key below will have to be deleted:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Bentley\

Removing Services:

In previous versions of AutoPLANT (2004 and earlier), we also added MSDE Services. These are no longer used or installed.

If you have any trouble removing Projectwise services running on the machine, go here.

Tips/reminders for when you reinstall.

1. Make sure virus scan and anti-spyware are turned off.

2. After installing autocad, initialize it and make sure it works BEFORE installing AutoPLANT.

3 .Log on as a user with admin privileges to install. All users who will run AutoPLANT must have admin rights the first time they log on to AutoPLANT. They will have to have opened AutoPLANT PIPING at least once before privileges are removed in order for the user specific files and registry entries to be installed.

Don't want to hassle with a reinstall? Try repairing the installing first...

If you're not sure if you want to go through a full reinstall, but are having problems on the machine, you can choose to do a "repair" install first by double clicking on the following file (stored locally):

C:\BentleyDownloads\appd08110630en\setup.exe

Now the above setup.exe is for AutoPLANT Plant Design Version 08.11.06.30 (english). If you have other programs, you'll have to repair those as well. Keep in mind that if you do decide to repair, backup any customizations including specs if they're stored locally in the directory ..\program files\bentley\plant v8i\catalogs or ..\specs