Crystal Reports 13.0.5 Merge Module Crashing InstallAware

[RobertSchubert]

First off, I'm using InstallAware Express Version 15 (Build 2.23.13). I'm trying to deploy an application which uses Crystal Reports for VS 2010. I downloaded the latest merge module from Crystal Reports from here: http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-7824. When I include the 13_0_5.msm file in the merge modules and then try to build my project it (InstallAware) crashes. I cannot view a log file because I'm using the Express version which from what I've gathered does not produce a log file so I'm unable to figure this out on my own. Please help.

[FrancescoT]

Dear User,

you can run a logged excution of your package even if you are using IA express.

To execute a logged setup, use the following command line:

<setup.exe> /l=<path to logfile>

if you want to use the same logging functionality as available with the standard MSI command line switches, you can have it by producing an MSI output of your package.

For example to generate a verbose log of an installation you can use the following command line:

- msiexec /i "C:\MyPackage\Example.msi" /L*V "C:\log\example.log"

Hope this helps you.

Regards

[RobertSchubert]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. It's not my package that's crashing, it's InstallAware that crashes when I try to build my project using the merge module I mentioned in my previous post. Can I generate a log file when InstallAware creates my package?

[FrancescoT]

Dear User,

no, it is not possible to generate a log in this case.

If you can post the url where you downloaded the module, I will try to see what happens on my test machine.

Just a question ... why you don't use the Crystal Reports runtimes that comes with IA?

Regards

[RobertSchubert]

Thanks for your assistance.

Here's where I downloaded the merge module: http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-7824

I'm using the 13.0.5 merge module. I also tried to use 13.0.4 but that produces the same IA error.

I need to use this merge module because it contains a fix when exporting Crystal Reports documents to html format. The one provided by IA does not contain this fix.

[FrancescoT]

Let me see what happens using my test machine.

I will be back as soon as possible.

Regards.

[RobertSchubert]

Update: It appears that my installation of InstallAware may have been corrupted. I uninstalled it and then reinstalled and this problem seems to have disappeared.

[FrancescoT]

Happy you solved!

[RobertSchubert]

Unfortunately the problem has resurfaced but I believe I found the true solution. I think the path to the output folder was too long. After moving the output folder to a path which is considerably shorter, IA stoped crashing. It sure would be nice to see an IA log file after it creates the package. At any rate, my problem has been solved.

[FrancescoT]

... just a question;
what was the length (in chars) of your output folder? can you post a string sample?

Regards

[fperez]

Hello

I am experiencing the same issue. Same merge module. Shortening the output path does not seem to be working here. My current path (64 characters including whitespaces) is:
C:\InstallAware\Projects\BBB\AAAAA AAAAAA AAAAAAA\Release\Single

My version is:
IA Studio 15 (Build 4.13.13) Naquadria

Any pointer would be appretiated.
Thanks in advance,

[FrancescoT]

Dear Fabricio,

honestly, I'm not able to replicate the same using the same output folder.

Are you sure that doesn't exist any restriction with the path you are using or even an Anti virus is causing the problem?

Regards

[fperez]

Thanks for your suggestion Francesco. Tried with AV disabled but no luck. So, at the end I shrinked the path to 45 characters and it worked.

Regards,

[FrancescoT]

Dear Fabricio,

... and what happens if you use a different drive (if any available with your system)?

Regards

[fperez]

Sorry, no other available. However I am discarding this approach of using the Merge Module because is not viable for 64-bit systems (SAP only provides a .msm for 32-bit) and the currently supported version inside IA is too old... RTM if not mistaken vs the latest out there which is 13.0.6.

I think I have seen other customers already asking for support of a much newer runtime. Any chance your dev team will produce the necesary .MIA/.MIA.BRK/.MIA.FLD files to support the latest runtime?

Thanks in advance,