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How do I uninstall Informix?

Published in Informix Uninstallation 6 mins read

Uninstalling Informix requires a methodical approach to ensure all components are thoroughly removed from your system. This process typically involves stopping all running Informix services, utilizing the official uninstallation utility, and performing manual cleanup of residual files, directories, and configuration settings.

Understanding the Informix Uninstallation Process

Understanding the initial setup of Informix can provide helpful context for its removal. For instance, you can install the Informix database server by running the interactive installation application. You can choose a typical or a custom setup. You can run non-interactive installations after you first run an interactive installation during which you create an installation template. Regardless of whether you performed an interactive or non-interactive installation, the uninstallation process requires careful attention to detail to prevent potential conflicts with future software installations or lingering system clutter.

H2: Pre-Uninstallation Steps

Before proceeding with the uninstallation, it's crucial to prepare your system to avoid data loss and ensure a clean removal.

  • Backup Critical Data: Always back up any databases or configurations you wish to preserve. While uninstallation aims to remove the software, accidental data loss can occur.
  • Stop Applications: Ensure all applications, services, and users that interact with the Informix database are gracefully shut down.
  • Log In as Administrator/Root: Perform the uninstallation with administrative privileges (e.g., root on Unix/Linux, Administrator on Windows) to ensure full access to all necessary files and system settings.
  • Document Environment Variables: Note down any Informix-related environment variables (like INFORMIXDIR, INFORMIXSERVER, ONCONFIG) in your user profiles or system-wide configurations, as these will need to be removed later.

H2: Using the Informix Uninstaller

Informix installations typically include a dedicated uninstallation utility designed to remove the core software components.

H3: On Unix/Linux Systems

Informix usually provides an uninstallation script or program within its installation directory.

  1. Navigate to the Installation Directory: Open a terminal and change to your Informix installation directory, often found at /opt/IBM/informix or a custom path specified during installation (INFORMIXDIR).
  2. Locate the Uninstaller: Look for an executable file named uninstall or similar. This might be in the top-level directory or a subdirectory like _uninst.
    • Example: cd $INFORMIXDIR (or /opt/IBM/informix)
    • Example: ls -l uninstall or ls -l _uninst
  3. Execute the Uninstaller: Run the uninstallation script. You might need to make it executable first.
    • Example: chmod +x uninstall (if needed)
    • Example: ./uninstall
  4. Follow Prompts: The uninstaller will guide you through the process, asking for confirmation. Confirm to proceed with the removal of Informix software.

H3: On Windows Systems

Windows users can typically uninstall Informix via the 'Programs and Features' control panel.

  1. Open Control Panel: Go to Start > Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (or Add or Remove Programs on older Windows versions).
  2. Find Informix Entry: Locate the Informix database server entry in the list of installed programs. It might be listed as "IBM Informix Dynamic Server" or similar.
  3. Initiate Uninstallation: Select the Informix entry and click Uninstall (or Remove).
  4. Follow Prompts: The uninstallation wizard will guide you. Confirm your choices to remove the software.

H2: Manual Cleanup Steps

The uninstaller may not remove all files, directories, users, or configuration entries. Manual cleanup is essential for a complete removal.

H3: 1. Stop Informix Services and Processes

Ensure no Informix processes are running.

  • Unix/Linux:
    • Use onstat -g act to see active sessions and onmode -k to shut down the instance.
    • Use ps -ef | grep informix to identify any lingering processes and kill -9 <PID> to terminate them.
  • Windows:
    • Open Services (services.msc), locate any Informix-related services (e.g., "IBM Informix Dynamic Server - ol_informix1170"), right-click, and select Stop.
    • Set the startup type to Disabled or delete the service (using sc delete servicename from an elevated command prompt).

H3: 2. File System Cleanup

Remove any remaining Informix directories and files.

  • Informix Installation Directory: Delete the entire INFORMIXDIR (e.g., /opt/IBM/informix on Linux, C:\Program Files\IBM\Informix on Windows) if the uninstaller did not.
  • Data Chunks: Remove any raw devices or files used as database chunks. This is critical for data integrity. Check the onconfig file for paths to these chunks.
  • Log Files: Delete any remaining log files, message files, or trace files.
  • Environment Variable Files (Unix/Linux): Check user profile files (.bashrc, .profile, .cshrc) and system-wide files (/etc/profile, /etc/environment) for Informix-related environment variables and remove them.
  • SQLHOSTS File: Delete the SQLHOSTS file, typically located at $INFORMIXDIR/etc/sqlhosts or %INFORMIXDIR%\etc\sqlhosts.

H3: 3. Environment Variable Cleanup

Ensure all Informix-specific environment variables are removed from your system.

  • Unix/Linux: Edit files like ~/.bashrc, ~/.profile, or /etc/profile.d/informix.sh to remove settings for INFORMIXDIR, INFORMIXSERVER, PATH modifications, etc.
  • Windows:
    1. Go to System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.
    2. Under User variables and System variables, remove any variables starting with INFORMIX_ or ON_.
    3. Edit the Path variable to remove the Informix binary directory.

H3: 4. User and Group Cleanup (Unix/Linux)

Informix often creates a dedicated informix user and group.

  • Remove User: userdel -r informix (The -r option removes the user's home directory).
  • Remove Group: groupdel informix

H3: 5. Registry Cleanup (Windows Only)

After uninstallation, some registry entries might remain. Proceed with caution when editing the registry.

  1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\Informix and delete the entire Informix key.
  3. Check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services for any Informix-related service entries and delete them.
  4. Search for other keys containing "Informix" to ensure a thorough cleanup, but only delete those directly related to the Informix database server.

H2: Verification

After completing all uninstallation and cleanup steps, verify that Informix is no longer present on your system.

  • Check Directories: Confirm that $INFORMIXDIR and other related directories are gone.
  • Check Processes: Run ps -ef | grep informix (Linux) or check Task Manager (Windows) to ensure no Informix processes are running.
  • Check Services: Verify that Informix services are no longer listed (Windows).
  • Check Environment Variables: Open a new terminal or command prompt and verify that Informix environment variables are not set.

H2: Common Informix-Related Paths and Variables

Item Unix/Linux Example Windows Example
Installation Directory /opt/IBM/informix C:\Program Files\IBM\Informix
Environment Variable INFORMIXDIR, INFORMIXSERVER, ONCONFIG, PATH INFORMIXDIR, INFORMIXSERVER, ONCONFIG, PATH
SQLHOSTS File $INFORMIXDIR/etc/sqlhosts %INFORMIXDIR%\etc\sqlhosts
Default User/Group informix user, informix group N/A (service accounts are typically local)
Registry Path N/A HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\IBM\Informix

For further detailed information and version-specific instructions, it is always recommended to consult the official IBM Informix documentation.

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