InstallAware

We have an InstallAware 12 installer project which allows the customer to choose one of the following:

Install product A
Install product B
Install product A and B

This has been working well for us. It is intended for use with multiple PCs, e.g. to install a system where products A and B are optionally installed on different PCs. However a customer (OEM) is asking to be able to install product A, and then product B as a separate run of the installer, on the same PC.

Of course what happens when they run the installer a second time is that they see the maintenance dialog (which we have customised to just contain repair and remove options).

I am looking for a way to satisfy the customer's request and allow the two components to be installed in two separate runs.

Is this even possible, do you think? The installer uses the Native Engine, so using Transform Instance is feasible.
I was thinking of having the installer detect whether $MAINTENANCE$ is true when it enters, and if so, display a new dialog which lets them choose between maintenance and a further install. If they choose a further install, figure out whether A or B only is installed, and display a "Product A" or a "Product B" selection dialog to let them select the 'other' product. Then use Transform Instance, and set $TITLE$ to reflect the 'A or B' choice.

The alternative is to split the installer into two separate parts, which is where we were a year ago when we decided to merge them.

So my question is: is it worth me looking further at this Transform Instance route, or will it most likely lead to problems?

Thank you,
Nick

Edit: Maybe the 'Repair' route can just allow additional component selection, and install these as part of the repair, no need for multiple instances?

Dear Nick,

are these two products, two different and independent applications?

Regards

Hi Francesco,
They're different but related products (e.g. a server and a client).
I am making progress taking the approach indicated by the edit at the end of my post. I've realised that I should reinstate a 'Modify' option in the Maintenance dialog.
The end result will be like a standard installer but with a customised components tree dialog.
So at the moment I'm happy, thank you. If you do have some advice though, I'm interested.
Best regards,
Nick

Dear Nick,

I am happy that you found a solution to your problem.

However, I Always prefer to create separate installer packages for each single application and then to have a Wrapper installer, which is a mere executor of each single (embedded) package.

Regards

Thank you; useful to know.
Nick

Can you explain how to create a wrapper. This is exactly what we are looking for.

Thanks

Mark

One very straight forward way:

The InstallAware Setup supports command line arguments for silent install. Simply add your setups to the supportdir of the wrapper setup and run them from there.

But maybe there is a more stable way then that?

Here is how to run the setup silent:
http://www.installaware.com/FlashHelp/s ... meters.htm