InstallAware

Hi,
I recently purchased InstallAware Developer edition. I have fairly simple needs and could use some help getting the web updates working.

Here is a walkthrough of what I have done using version 6.6.3797.2006.

First, I created a very basic .NET setup project named MYSETUP (Names and URL’s in this write-up are fictional for security sake).

Project Properties
1. Defined Product Name, Version, Mfg, Clicked Generate Product Code, Clicked Generate Revision Code.
2. Left $PROGRAMFILES$\\$TITLE$ as the Target Folder.
3. Left $TITLE$ as the Short Cut Folder.
4. Checked the ‘Receive Application Updates’ box.
5. Entered the Monitor Url: http://www.myupdateweb.com/updates/updates.ini

Application Run Times
1. .NET 1.1 With SP1
2. .NET 2.0
3. IE6 With SP1
4. MDAC Refresh 2.8 with SP1
5. Windows Installer 1.0, 2.0, 3.0
6. Microsoft XML Parser 6.0

Features
1. MYSETUP

Files
1. Added all my applications files to the $TARGETDIR$

Dialogues
1. checked prereq, progressprereq, welcome, registration, setuptype, destination, startmenu, startinstallation, maintenance, startinstallation, progress, finish

Build Settings
1. Compressed Single Self-Installing EXE
2. Updated Options to use middle compression method (LZMA w/ 4MB buffer)

Versions
1. Added MYSETUP100

Now I compiled this and distributed it to my clients. I made sure the automatic updates are setup and the task appears fine in the scheduled tasks.

So now I’ve updated the product and would like to distribute these updates via the automatic updates mechanism.

Here is what I changed in the project.

Files
1. Deleted prior files.
2. Added all the current files (same files that were in the original setup, but updated).

Build Settings
1. Compressed Web-Based EXE (I know they don’t need the entire package, just MYSETUP.exe)
2. Upped the compression in Options one notch (for faster download).
3. Defined Web Media Block downloads locations. (Making sure spaces were removed from names and lower case was used for everything to maintain a reliable convention).

Update Packs
1. Defined a new update pack with name 100.1
2. URL for installer: http://www.myupdateweb.com/updates/MYSETUP.exe
3. Added brief description
4. Checked ‘Silently Run Update Installer’

Versions
1. Clicked MYSETUP100
2. Checked the Update Pack 100.1

Now I build the project and upload all the media blocks to my server at
http://www.myupdateweb.com/updates/
I also uploaded the updates.ini to the location above.

I have verified every single path that had been defined in InstallAware to make sure these files locations (case and all) were referenced correctly.

Now when the scheduled task executes, it should update right? Am I missing something? I execute the update task and literally nothing happens. It says it executed at x date/time, but there is nothing in the event log, no files updated and no noticeable activity…

I also tried setting Silent=No in the updates.ini and still nothing happens when I execute the task.

Here is my updates.ini

[Update Packs for Versions]
MYSETUP100=100.1
[100.1]
URL=http://www.myupdateweb.com/updates/MYSETUP.exe
Description=Update 100.1$NEWLINE$$NEWLINE$1. Added threading support.terminated.$NEWLINE$$NEWLINE$2. Added other stuff.$NEWLINE$
Reboot=No
Silent=No
Parameters=


Please Advise,
GS

Without reading the rest of your post, the first problem I notice is that the URL:

http://www.myupdateweb.com/updates/updates.ini

is not working. If this URL does not serve your update file, nothing at all will happen. Typing this URL in IE should bring the update file up (and at the moment, it does not).

So the first thing you should do is make sure this vital URL works

As my post states prior to the URL you mention, "(Names and URL’s in this write-up are fictional for security sake)"

You can rest assured that the actual URL and all URL's referenced in InstallAware are 100% functional as I stated toward the end of my post, "I have verified every single path that had been defined in InstallAware to make sure these files locations (case and all) were referenced correctly. "

Given that information, do you have any suggestions or ideas?

<edit> Oh, and thanks for the prompt response! </edit>
GS

I suppose maybe it would be easier to approach this with a question like,

What particular issues would cause the symptoms i'm seeing (the symptom being that executing the auto update task does nothing)?

1. I now know that having the incorrect updates.ini URL referenced may cause this (given your response above).
2. Could having a different GUID cause such a symptom?
3. What else could cause this?


Thanks Again
GS

Whoops Sorry for missing a vital part of your post there!

Well, based on what you've written, I am not sure what's going on. Try these:

1) Run the task directly using the Task Scheduler interface. Meaning, run it and see if you get an error code or anything.

2) Also try running the update using the update shortcut that has been created. See if that makes any difference.

3) If the above does not reveal any results, I would fire up the project in the InstallAware IDE, set the build mode to uncompressed, do a full build, and then run it in the IDE, simulating the update mode (just edit the update script so it always runs before your debug run). Step through code line by line and see where it is failing to pick up the update. This is the ultimate medicine, really - it will diagnose your exact execution pattern and should reveal the issue.

Also not sure what you are referring to by the changed GUID?

No problem

3) If the above does not reveal any results, I would fire up the project in the InstallAware IDE, set the build mode to uncompressed, do a full build, and then run it in the IDE, simulating the update mode (just edit the update script so it always runs before your debug run). Step through code line by line and see where it is failing to pick up the update. This is the ultimate medicine, really - it will diagnose your exact execution pattern and should reveal the issue.

Also not sure what you are referring to by the changed GUID?

I will give this a try; I didn't realize I had to build uncompressed to do the debug and assumed it just wasn't available to my project (doh).

And nevermind about the GUID, that shouldnt have anything to do with the whether or not the update is actually executed after further thought. Was just an example shot in the dark.

I'll let you know what I come up with,
Thanks!

GS

What Version did you set on the Project Properties under the Product Version textbox?
The Product Version used there, it SHOULD be the SAME with the Application Version you set under the Web Updates->Versions->Add button.
Eg if it is 1.0 on Product Version then IT SHOULD BE 1.0 on Application Version under the Web Updates->Versions List.

What Version did you set on the Project Properties under the Product Version textbox?
The Product Version used there, it SHOULD be the SAME with the Application Version you set under the Web Updates->Versions->Add button.
Eg if it is 1.0 on Product Version then IT SHOULD BE 1.0 on Application Version under the Web Updates->Versions List.

Ah, that's probably my problem!

The product version (under Project Properties) was a numerical version 100 and the web updates versions specified (under Web Updates) was MYSETUP100.

I'll change that to 100 and post back with the results.

GS

That was it, now it works wonderfully!

Many Thanks!
GS

Glad to help you!