uninstall.txt

This topic describes the response file for uninstalling service using the Update Installer for WebSphere Software.

Uninstall an update silently using the options response file.

The uninstall.txt file has one directive that identifies the backup file for uninstalling a service update. Comments in the file describe how to set the string value.

The Update Installer for WebSphere Software wizard reads the options file to determine responses and does not display the graphical user interface. The following command uses a copy of the options file named myresponsefile.txt for a silent uninstall 

./update -options "responsefiles/myresponsefile.txt" -silent

If you do not use the -silent option, the response file provides initial values for the graphical interface.

Location of the response file

The sample options response file is named uninstall.txt. The file is in the install_root/updateinstaller/responsefiles directory after you unzip the Update Installer for WebSphere Software into the installation root directory of the WebSphere software product.

Uninstalling silently

The options file supplies the values to the Update installer wizard when uninstalling silently. The wizard reads the options file to determine responses and does not display the graphical user interface. The following command uses a copy of the options file named myresponsefile.txt for a silent uninstall 

update -options "myresponsefile.txt" -silent

Response file user entry validation

In a silent uninstall, response file validation has been coded into the installation. If the validation does not pass, the failure is recorded in the log files in the install_root/logs/update/tmp directory.

Location of the maintenance package to be uninstalled

Default directive setting

-W backup.package=""

Valid setting

You must set this directive to the location of the backup file. The backup file reverses the application of the maintenance. For example, you might specify the following location on a Linux system 

/opt/properties/version/update/backup/maintenance_package_to_uninstall

Error identifiers:

  • The maintenance package cannot be uninstalled. Uninstalling the maintenance would break the following superseding maintenance packages. Uninstall the superseding maintenance packages first: list_of_superseding_maintenance_packages

  • This maintenance package cannot be uninstalled. The following maintenance packages are dependent on the package that you are attempting to uninstall: list_of_dependent_maintenance_packages

  • This maintenance package cannot be uninstalled. The following maintenance packages are dependent on the APARs you are attempting to uninstall: list_of_dependent_maintenance_packages

  • No installation backup packages are available for uninstalling maintenance.

Alternate product location

Although uninstalling maintenance from another product is possible, always use the Update installer wizard from the directory structure of the product that you are updating. Do not use this directive unless absolutely necessary.

Default directive setting

-W product.location=""""

Valid setting

You must set this directive to the installation root directory of the alternate product. For example, you might specify the following location on a Linux system 

/opt/IBM/WebSphere/AppServer2

Error identifiers:

  • The maintenance package cannot be uninstalled. Uninstalling the maintenance would break the following superseding maintenance packages. Uninstall the superseding maintenance packages first: list_of_superseding_maintenance_packages

  • This maintenance package cannot be uninstalled. The following maintenance packages are dependent on the package that you are attempting to uninstall: list_of_dependent_maintenance_packages

  • This maintenance package cannot be uninstalled. The following maintenance packages are dependent on the APARs you are attempting to uninstall: list_of_dependent_maintenance_packages

  • No installation backup packages are available for uninstalling maintenance.

Usage notes

  • The file is not a read-only file.

  • Edit this file directly with your flat file editor of choice, such as Kate on SLES or WordPad on a Windows platform.

  • The file must exist to perform a silent uninstall. The Update installer wizard reads this file to determine uninstall parameters. Provide the fully qualified file path to the backup file.

  • Save the copy of the options file in the responsefiles directory for best results.

Example uninstall.txt file

Edit the version of the file that is included in the Update Installer for WebSphere Software ZIP file. The following example is not guaranteed to be an accurate representation of the actual file 

################################################################################
#
# This is the silent install response file for uninstalling maintenance packages
# using the update installer.
# 
# A common use of an options file is to run the wizard in silent mode. This lets
# the options file author specify wizard settings without having to run the
# wizard in graphical or console mode. To use this options file for silent mode
# execution, *uncomment* and modify the parameters defined within.
#
# Use the following command line when running the wizard from the update 
# installer directory:
# 
#    update -options responsefiles/uninstall.txt -silent
#
################################################################################


################################################################################
#
# Used to input the maintenance backup package filename to be uninstalled. 
# This is the same filename as the package that was originally installed.
# A maintenance package can only be uninstalled if a backup package exists.
#
# ie. -W backup.package="PQ20029.pak"
#
# 

Note: If no package is specified, a default of the last installed maintenance 
# package will be used.
#
#-W backup.package=""


################################################################################
#
# Used to modify the product install location that will be updated. 
# This value should be left commented out if the Update Installer is 
# being run from the recommended location
#
# ie. -W product.location="C:\Program Files\WebSphere\AppServer"
#
# 

Note: If no location is specified, the parent directory to update installer 
# will be used as default
#
#-W product.location=""



################################################################################
#
# Do not edit these values.
#
-W update.type="uninstall"