Installing MDAC on non-English versions of Windows...

[wolbrink]

I'm hearing reports from some users in Germany that they can't install MDAC 2.8 from my InstallAware 6.0 generated install program because it's the "wrong language". They need to go to Microsoft's website to download and install the German MDAC 2.8, and then proceed with my install.

I'm using the built-in MDAC install plug-in. I don't have the exact error details at the moment. (I'm planning on setting up a German Windows XP virtual machine to test this out.) I'm assuming the MDAC plug-in is installing the English version of MDAC.

Has anyone else experienced this issue (with MDAC or any other prereq)? Any idea how to resolve this?

--Troy

[MichaelNesmith]

InstallAware ships only with English prereqs. I know that English prereqs such as .NET can be installed on non-English systems without a problem.

I tried to install MDAC 2.8 (without the service pack) on a German Windows XP Home Service Pack 2 box we have in shop. Installation was not required - the prereq was already present on this system.

[Tinus]

Hi,

I had made a setup which includes MDAC 2.8 SP1 and had no problems on an
Italian Windows 2000 Sp4.

I'll try other platforms (including German) on monday and keep you informed.

[Tinus]

Here are my results:

Windows ME German: installs ok
Windows 2000 SP4 German: installs ok

Windows XP Home (no SP): not possible
Windows XP Prof. SP1: not possible

Windows XP Prof. SP2: not required

not possible means that IA6 prohibits the installation on Windows XP. In checkmdac281:

Code: Select all

 if Variable ISXP Equals TRUE
   Comment: MDAC 2.8 SP1 cannot be installed on Windows XP or Server 2003
   MessageBox: $TITLE$ Setup, $TITLE$ requires MDAC 2.8 with Service Pack 1 or later. This update cannot be installed onto your operating system by $TITLE$ Setup.$NEWLINE$$NEWLINE$Please run Windows Update to install MDAC 2.8 with Service Pack 1 on your computer, then try to install $TITLE$ again.$NEWLINE$$NEWLINE$$TITLE$ Setup cannot continue.
   Terminate Installation


Why?

[MichaelNesmith]

Either Windows or the MDAC installer prohibit this operation (you can just try running the native runtime installer to see the exact error message you get).

Since InstallAware tries to sort out the jungle of runtime installations for you, it has scripts which detect problems like these and property notify the end-user for the correct course of action.

[Tinus]

It's a little bit difficult because some information is hidden and I was not aware of the fact that:

- MDAC 2.8 installs on Windows 98/ME, NT, 2000 and XP
- MDAC 2.8 SP1 installs on Windows 98/ME, NT, 2000 but not on XP

Windows XP with SP2 already has MDAC 2.8.

So if you want an universal setup you have to avoid MDAC 2.8 SP1 and use MDAC 2.8 instead.

I modified my setup accordingly and now

Windows XP Home German (no SP): ok
Windows XP Prof. SP1 German: ok

I have had no problems with the different languages.

Suggestion for improvement: Add this information to the Application Runtime selection, e.g.:

Microsoft MDAC Refresh 2.8 (Windows 98-XP)
Microsoft MDAC Refresh 2.8 with Service Pack 1 (Windows 98-2000, not for XP)