SQL Server Express installation corrupted

try

How to uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2005 manually
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909967

also check

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlsetupandupgrade/thread/5fc58507-9f40-4213-acbd-32a57c8822d7

Thanks for the response

I had already tried the steps in support.microsoft.com/kb/900067.

Have now tried all the options in the second link and we are still having problems.

I renamed the registry key at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90,
  Remove says ARP Wrapper - Registry Enumeration failed (as one might expect)
  Install (SQLEXPR.EXE) says There was an unexpected failure during the setup wizard. You may review the setup logs and/or click the help button for more information.  Don't know where the setup logs are and the help button says

ID : 50000
Source: setup.rtl

We're sorry
There is no additional information about this issue in the Error and Event log messages.

I installed MS SQL Server 2005 Management etc.

Installed SQL Server Management Studio Express (no option to uninstall), then unistalled it.  Better - can now access Remove  for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 from  Add or Remove Programs. Run Remove and get
There was an unexpected failure during the setup wizard... etc.

some progress--

looks like something was still left
did you reboot server after the manual uninstall before the new install?
what sql server related programs can you see in add remove?

try to uninstall all the sql related and make sure there are no sql services left:
try to reboot and check again for programs and services
and event viewer errors

Renamed MS SQL Server\90 registry key to \old - no change
Installed MS SQL Server Management Studio 2005 (MS2005) - -
Remove SQL Server 2005 (SS2005) gave error
This patch package could not be opened.

Remove MS2005 - SS2005 remove failed.
Removed all SQL associated programs from Add or Remove Programs, except those for SQL Server 2008 (only 2008 Management Studio installed) and reboot.

SS2005 install - got as far as Existing component
SQL Server Database Services 9.00.4035.00
Workstation components etc 9.4.5000.00
cannot install.

Renamed Regkey MS SQL Server\90 and reboot.
SS2005 install - message

The following componenents that you choose to install are already installed on the machine
SQL Server Database Services 9.00.4035.00  (greyed out)

Continued install and got message
An installation package for the product MSXML6.0 Parser cannot be found.  Try the installation againusing a valid copy of the installation package msxml6.0.msi.

Searched Registry for 9.00.4035.00 and found it under MSSQL1.1 key renamed to MSSQL1.1xx and reboot.

SS2005 install - failed with 'An instance with the same name is already installed - SQLEXPRESS.
Searched Registry for SQLEXPRESS and removed HKEY_LM\Sw\Ms\MS SQL Server\SQLEXPRESS and removed SQLEXPRESS from Instances.

SS2005 install - ran through but did not start SQL Server and cannot start from Computer Management.  Also noticed that we have to MS SQL

SS2005 Remove - completed but entry in Add or Remove list remained
SS2005 install - failed with 'An instance with the same name is already installed - SQLEXPRESS.

I have now removed ALL SQL server programs including 2008 rebooted and attempted to re-install SS2005 and get message 'An instance with the same name is already installed -

We now seem to be going round in circles.

hmm
something left .in regestry ...there are much more keys

If you can not reinstall windows :

I would recommend to open case with Microsoft Support (pay=per-call is ~$260)
they can help to remove all in safe way...

http://support.microsoft.com/select/Default.aspx?target=assistance

Don't you just love Microsoft?

Looks like a re-install of Windows. Maybe they should put a health warning on the Cancel button on SQL Server uninstall.

Thanks for your time.