Failure to uninstall previous version on Win 7 64 bits

[pokr]

Hi,

I'm having a problem with our installer in 64 bit mode (concretely I'm testing it with Windows 7). When repairing/reinstalling, the message to uninstall previous version correctly appears, but then the Install/Remove MSI Package command fails, returning REMOVEOLD equals ERROR.
This is not an issue at all in 32 bit systems (XP, Vista or 7).
Any help will be appreciated.

Regards,

Octavio

[mills]

Hi Octavio,

What you describe has been fixed in the latest release of InstallAware (9 r2 at time of writing).

On older versions, you should be able to work around this using MSIcode Set 64 Bit Mode.

Use it to set Installation mode to Win32 before calling (Un)Install MSI setup, then call it again to go back to 64 bit right after.

[pokr]

Hi mills,

Thanks for your answer.
I'm using IA 9 R2, and also SET 64 BIT MODE, actually a new installation proceeds perfectly on 64 bit machines.
I'll try the "fix" you propose of moving into Win32 mode and back.

Thanks again, regards,

Octavio

[pokr]

Hi mills,

The fix seems to work for me.
I have IA 9 R2, the original edition... Might be the fix was included in the recent patch Service Pack?

Thanks again, regards,

Octavio

[mills]

The help file's Set 64 Bit Mode page lists the following warnings, which you may want to consider:

• When applications are running on 64 bit Windows in 32 bit compatibility mode, Windows redirects file system and registry access to alternate 32 bit compatibility locations. This may cause undesired behavior with your setup if you call the Set 64 Bit Mode command after other commands that access the file system and registry. The commands that have already accessed the file system and registry will have returned incorrect 32 bit compatibility values that will not accurately reflect the true state of the 64 bit system.
• Always call the Set 64 Bit Mode command before any commands that may access the file system and registry to assure correct 64 bit returns from those commands. If you have to call the Set 64 Bit Mode command after having accessed the file system and registry, call the file system and registry commands again to obtain correct 64 bit returns.
• Choosing a 64 bit installation mode while running on 32 bit Windows, or choosing an incorrect 64 bit processor architecture while running on 64 bit Windows, does not cause setup to immediately fail. Setup will continue to run normally until an installation, maintenance, patch, advertisement, or uninstall operation occurs.
• 64 bit runtime installations are not available. 32 bit versions of the runtimes will be installed even when setup is running under 64 bit installation mode. You may use custom scripting to install 64 bit runtime versions.
• Commands and plug-ins that load executable code into memory will not work with 64 bit executables, even when setup is running under 64 bit installation mode. Such commands and plug-ins include Register Library and Call DLL Function. You may use the various alternatives to such commands when running in 64 bit installation mode.

I'd recommend updating InstallAware and make sure you aren't running Set 64 Bit Mode against any of the above warnings. If you still notice the error, it'd be worth us having a look at it. If you could post your project here or send it to [email protected], we'd be happy to take a look to see if you are really experiencing a bug that needs to be addressed.

[mills]

Attempt to reproduce:

Steps:

Start new blank project in IA.

For the first line in the MSI code, enter:
Set x64 - Native 64 bit Windows, AMD64 and EM64T Architectures - installation mode

Build project.

Run install.exe in Windows 7. Complete Install. Anyone can use. Successfully installed.

Back in IA, rebuild project.

Run install.exe again in same Windows 7.

Setup displays prompt "Previous Version Uninstallation". Click Next.
Setup displays "checking requirements" quickly. (non-modal)
Setup displays Welcome to InstallAware Wizard for setup; will install on your computer. Click Next. Complete Install. Successfully installed.

Result:
Could not reproduce.