Problem:

Unable to fully install SAS v8. Getting SASXKINI error. Getting 'Unable To
Initialize the SAS Kernel'  error and not able to remove SAS version 8x from a
Windows machine using Add/Remove programs.


Solution:

Manually uninstall SAS following these directions. Please be aware that you
many not encounter each entry, depending on how complete your faulty SAS
installation is.

1.  Reboot and restart your PC
2.  Try to uninstall local SAS V8 if possible with add/remove programs
3.  Remove the SAS folder where sas.exe resides
4.  Remove the Shared Files folder
    By default, the folders are in:
       C:\Program Files\SAS Institute
5.  Start > Run > enter REGEDIT > OK
6.  Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER
7.  Expand Software
8.  RightMouse on SAS Institute Inc. > Delete
9.  Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
10. Expand Software
11. Expand Sas Institute Inc.
12. RightMouse on Common Data > Delete
13. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
14. Expand Software
15. Expand Microsoft
16. Expand Windows
17. Expand CurrentVersion
18. Click on SharedDLLs
19. Expand the 'Name' column so you can see the full file path
20. Scroll down about a page and a half
21. You will see a group of about 20 entries that start with:
       C:\Program Files\SAS Institute\Shared Files
22. Select the 20 or so entries in step 21 and delete them
23. Reboot and restart your PC


related solution = #3132 for removing SAS version 9 manually