Java Runtime Environemtn 1.6.0_10 can not be uninstalled

I just had a bad experience with a program (JRE 1.6.0 update 10) that was screwed up in my Windows XP installation, possibly during a half or semi good installation! The problem is now that the software does not uninstall from Add-remove programs or from Java commandline. So I can not uninstall the program and I can not install a newer version!

Making things worse is that since this is on a computer where software updates are in controlled environment, the IT support function said that solution is to reinstall the entire computer!

Instead of doing the reinstall of the computer rigth away, I used a Microsoft guide that promises to solve just the issue i am experiencing:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

When you are working on your computer and installing a new program, the installation suddenly fails. Now you are left with a partly installed program.

You try to install the program again, but you are unsuccessful. Or, maybe you have problems trying to remove an old program because the installation files are corrupted.

Do not worry. Windows Installer CleanUp Utility might be able to help. You can use the utility to remove installation information for programs that were installed by using Windows Installer.

Be aware that Windows Installer CleanUp Utility will not remove the actual program from your computer. However, it will remove the installation files so that you can start the installation, upgrade, or uninstall over.

And guess what, it really worked and solved the problem!! After using the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility I could reinstall and then remove, and get the newer version of Java Runtime.