Problem:

Unable to fully install SAS v9. Getting SASXKINI error. Getting 'Unable
To Initialize the SAS Kernel'  error and not able to remove SAS version
9x from a Windows machine using Add/Remove programs.


Solution:

Manually uninstall SAS then reinstall following these directions: Please be
aware that you  may not encounter all entries listed below. It depends on how
complete your installation was. 

1.  Reboot and restart your PC
2.  Try to uninstall local SAS if possible with add/remove programs
    (you need not uninstall other SAS products such as Enterprise Guide)
3.  Remove the SAS folder where sas.exe resides
    default is: C:\Program Files\SAS\SAS 9.1
4.  Remove the Shared Files folder
    default is: C:\Program Files\SAS\Shared Files
5.  Click on the Start button > then Run > enter REGEDIT > OK
6.  Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER
7.  Expand Software
8.  RightMouse on SAS Institute Inc. > Delete this folder
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\Shared Files
22. Select the 20 or so entries in step 21 and delete them
23. Reboot and restart your PC
24. Reinstall SAS on your now clean computer.

See related solution #2715:
     http://help.ncsu.edu/solutions/all/2715.php
for information about removing SAS version 8 manually.