Mulitple builds of same app doesn't reflect different files

[ecold]

I have about 7 different builds of the same app. These are to roll out via Active Directory Group Policy. In opening them up after finding a problem, I noticed they all have the last projects file.

All builds are identical except they contain 1 config file that is different. I pull this file from a folder identifying which location it is for. However, when I open the project on any of these, it shows me the file from the last built project. In essence, it doesn't change it or at least doesn't refresh to show the change. To verify, I opened the project, close InstallAware and reopened. The same incorrect location is showing.

I have had to go back and delete and readd the file and rebuild the app, one at a time. I'm glad it was only seven builds. The problem is, I have set them all up to roll out. Some go out some don't but in any case, most will be wrong and not function properly.

[MichaelNesmith]

From your description, I understand that the file you added is a support file, and not a file used in an Install Files command. Support files are copied to the project folder and not updated when refreshed from the original location. Therefore if you want to automatically refresh that file every time you do a build, use the Install Files command, or add the file into your project using the Bundle Files plugin.

[ecold]

Bundle Files Plugin? I haven't seen that before but one of those sounds like what I need to do.

I looked in my Plugins and don't see it listed. Where do I get it?

[MichaelNesmith]

Its free - on this forum! Please check the plug-ins page.

[ecold]

OK, I have the plugin installed. But how do I bundle the file?

[ecold]

Does this look correct?

in the script, after all my files are copied to the $TARGETDIR$, I added the Bundled Files command and below is how it appears in the script. It has "s where the Install Files do not.

Below is the line

Bundle Files "\\\\Miiappserv01\\MasterLayout\\Z-Drive_RA-cfg\\MLAgent.cfg" to "$TARGETDIR"

[rdeberry]

I am having a similar problem. I have 4 installs total that are doing this. 2 of them are almost identical with the exception of different service names and files. The other two installs are also very close. One installs Sql Express 2005, the other does not. When I edit one of these and make changes, then reopen the other one the changes are already there!! I go and look at the script and it is the same as the one I just saved. I have to manually delete the files, add back the ones that are different, change the service name, etc. I have tried editing the install script, saving, then exit. I then browse to the directory and launch the script directly from exlporer. Same result. Also tried open project instead of re-open. Is there something that links these scripts? I ran through the project wizard for each of these when I initally set them up.

[MichaelNesmith]

ecold - that looks fine (except for the missing final $ sign for the TARGETDIR variable)

rdeberry - the runtime install scripts are shared across projects. If you want to customize the runtime install scripts differently for each project, you can do the following:

1) Copy the affected script file from its original folder ([InstallAware Folder]\\runtimes\\script.*]) to your project folder
2) Using the project manager for your setup, remove the existing script, and add in the new script from the project folder

[ecold]

I can understand why you would want the script and runtimes together but, that's kind of a pain for what we are doing. It should be easier to seperate them. Keep all runtime files together but the few distinct files could be kept with the script in a different folder.

Could you look at my script section below and tell me if the Bundled FIles is in the correct location?

Install Files C:\\MasterLayout\\USER_DEF.DBF to $TARGETDIR$
Install Files C:\\MasterLayout\\USER_DEF.DBT to $TARGETDIR$
Install Files C:\\MasterLayout\\uvl_____.TTF to $TARGETDIR$
[DEFINE WEB MEDIA MasterLayout v3.91]
Get Component MasterLayout v3.91 Selection State into Variable SELECTED
if Variable SELECTED Equals TRUE
end
// TO-DO: Insert any additional install commands here
Bundle Files "\\\\Miiappserv01\\masterlayout\\T-Drive_MO-MMS and MTP-cfg\\MLAgent.cfg" to "$TARGETDIR$" (get result into variable SUCCESS)
[compiler if Variable BUILDMODE Equals PATCH]
Apply Patch (get result into variable SUCCESS)
[compiler else]
if Variable ADVERTISE Equals TRUE
Apply Advertised (get result into variable SUCCESS)
else
Apply Install (get result into variable SUCCESS)
end
[compiler end]
Set Variable PROGRESS to 100
end

[MichaelNesmith]

Yes, that looks good.

[ecold]

OK, if that looks good, then how do I proceed? Save the script for each project including the bundled files for each? This will bring in all common files by using the Install Files and then the sepeartae files by using the Bundled Files script editor?

[ecold]

Also, another question. Since my original installs were not correct, if I choose my build as a patch and use the Bundled Files, will it only include the Bundled Files in the patch? Also, do I need to keep the product ID the same and make the version ID new?

[rdeberry]

Michael,

I understand completely on the runtime scripts. My problem is not with the default runtime scripts, it is with the mia file in each directory. For some reason, changes to my script are reflected on the other script. For example, the first script installs a service. If I change something about the service part and save it, I see the changes. If I open up my second script, which is 95% identical, the changes made to the first script are now reflected on the second. I manually delete the service and add it back. It does this on files installed to the windows/system 32 directory as well. Is IA reading something from my registry? Or is everything loaded from the mia file in that directory?

[MichaelNesmith]

Rdeberry,

That should not be happening, unless you are using the same base setup script in all your projects. This could be happening if you changed your main script in the project manager, manually moved project folders, and so on. The first line in the MPR file points to the MIA script file - the main script file. If no path is given, then the file is read from the same folder as the MPR. If path is given, then the file is read from that folder. Hope that helps sort things out.

Ecold,

Not sure I understand your questions...could you go into a little more detail please? Thank you.

[rdeberry]

Michael,

Your suggestion about the MIA files pointed me in the right direction. The MIA file was present in one of the folders, but not in the other (it was MIA, pardon the pun ). I copied it to the second directory, then removed/added the new location of the script. I think this happened when I had the first project the way I wanted, then since the second project was the same as the first but with SQL Express, I did a Save As and put it in another directory. So each time I opened up one of the mpr files, they both were changing the same mia script.