Uninstall Problem

[paulga]

Hi,

I have a problem when trying to uninstall from the add/remove programs menu after the original install was from a usb token. I get the error :

Error

Invalid Drive f:\\.

This is because the token is no longer in the machine.

I have a .exe setup with two external files which are un-compressed.

I get the same problem when doing an install / uninstall over the network where the network is no longer available.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

[MichaelNesmith]

You need to use a compressed or web based setup to prevent his problem - Windows Installer will always want access to the original setup media otherwise.

[paulga]

Hi,

I am using a compressed single self installing exe so is it the two files outside of this that is causing the problem?
These files are external as they can't be compressed (we have to do something with them and can't if they're compressed).
I did try a compressed web based exe yesterday but this gave me the same problem.
Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks

Paul

[paulga]

Hi,

I am using a compressed single self installing exe so is it the two files outside of this that is causing the problem?
These files are external as they can't be compressed (we have to do something with them and can't if they're compressed).
I did try a compressed web based exe yesterday but this gave me the same problem.
Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks

Paul

[paulga]

while we're on the subject would it be possible to get some info on the following as I can't find any information on it :

with regards to the external files I use the Copy Local Files function to copy them using $SFXPATH$.
This works when installing using the single .exe with the files in the same directory. However if I use the .exe to create a single MSI file they don't get installed. Is it possible to include these uncompressed files in the MSI package?

Thanks

Paul

[MichaelNesmith]

Is it possible to include these uncompressed files in the MSI package?

I'm afraid not, but then you can pass a path to your setup and have it read them from that path.

As for the other issue, because you are reading right from the media, Windows Installer "remembers" that and for some reason demands the media be available. I'd use the CopyFileA API in kernel32.dll through Call DLL Function for directly copying those files. This will work around the MSI limitation.

[paulga]

Hi,

when I select the files I want to install to say the $TARGETDIR$ it automatically creates the Install Files code and when I create a single self installing exe the files are included and get installed.

I have tried CopyFileA after removing the 'Install Files' code and it works if I have the files uncompressed outside the exe.

I can't see how I can include the files to be compressed creating a single file without going down the 'install files' route. Can this be done and if so How do I get the path to pass into CopyFileA. Is it a case that if I want to do this they can't be compressed?

Thanks

Paul

[MichaelNesmith]

Several ways.

If you want to put the files inside a web media block, use File Bag, and then use the path File Bag provides at runtime (which changes at each run) for CopyFileA.

If you want to just add the files to the main install file, add them as support files (as called in the Project Manager) or creatives (as called in the visual designers). Then the path they'll be availble for you at will be $SUPPORTDIR$.

Either way, the files will be temporarily available during setup at install time, so you can use them with CopyFileA.