Installer that only creates shortcuts?

[rprussell]

Hi again -

We're offering our clients the option of installing files to a network drive, then running a "client" installer that's intended (at the moment) to only create shortcuts in Program Files\etc\etc to the already-existing executable on the shared drive.

I've learned that I need to include at least one physical file for installation, and I've figured out how to create a shortcut to an external EXE - the only issue thus far is how to give the shortcut the working directory that equals the folder being installed from.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Rob

[rprussell]

Aha - I found the [SOURCEDIR] property - that should do the trick.

(I'll post back if it doesn't )

[rprussell]

Alas, I am posting back.

Turns out that [SOURCEDIR] becomes the temp folder where the setup.exe unpacks.

I did find [SETUPEXEDIR] but now I run into an issue where I can't set that value for the working folder in the shortcut properties.

Is there any way to specify a shortcut's working folder to be someplace that's not explicitly in the tree of selections that comes up when I browse for it?

Thanks,
R

[Cosmin]

Hi,

Currently the working directory of a shortcut needs to be a folder in the package. However, I have added on our TODO list an improvement which will allow you to use any installer property. Thank you for your suggestion.

Until then, you can try this approach:
- in the "Install Parameters" page create the "SETUPEXEDIR" property (you can use the default value)
- use it in the "Files and Folders" page to create a property-based folder
- select this folder as the working directory of the shortcut

Regards,
Cosmin

[rprussell]

Nifty idea!

It now seems to be trying to create that folder, or at least that's my interpretation - I get a popup that says

"An error occurred while attempting to create the directory E:\dev\Installs" <Retry> <Cancel>

The log entry that sets the property reads:
PROPERTY CHANGE: Modifying SETUPEXEDIR property. Its current value is 'SETUPEXEDIR'. Its new value: 'E:\dev\Installs\TB4_Installer\'.

I notice there is a checkbox on the folder in the "Files and Folders" tree that says "Create Folder on Target machine" - but it is checked and disabled, so I cannot turn it off. (I assume that is because it's referenced by the shortcut I'm trying to create.)

Thoughts?

Rob

[Cosmin]

Hi Rob,

Unfortunately an empty folder requires a component in the package. However, you can try creating a Remove File operation in the "SETUPEXEDIR" folder. This will remove the component of the folder because it's not empty anymore and the installer should no longer try to create it. For the file operation you can use a dummy file which doesn't exist in the folder which contains the package.

Regards,
Cosmin

[rprussell]

A useful and correct answer as always, Cosmin. The shortcut is being created flawlessly.

However, the UNinstaller that goes along with that is now reporting "Could not access network location SETUPEXEDIR" <retry> <cancel> when I try to uninstall it.

A side effect of this is that I cannot uninstall, and I cannot test new versions of the installer because it says it's already BEEN installed.

(I will send you the .aip file, I think)

R

[Cosmin]

Hi,

Unfortunately I am unable to reproduce this behavior on our test machines. Is it shown by the modified package? If so, can you please send us the AIP you are using to support at advancedinstaller dot com so we can investigate it? Also, please attach a verbose log of the uninstall process.

Regards,
Cosmin

[FergusMurray]

Im essentially seeing this same behavior as this issue.
We have 2 installers
(1.) server installer that creates the folder and programs and puts the client installer in the same "programs" folder
(2.) client installer that creates shortcuts to what was installed by (1.) - this client installer uses the location it exists in, to set the shortcuts automatically.

When we try to uninstall from the control panel, we get the "Could not access network location [SETUPEXEDIR]"

msi log isnt particularly useful either

Code: Select all

Error 1606. Could not access network location [SETUPEXEDIR].
Error 1606. Could not access network location [SETUPEXEDIR].
=== Logging stopped: 27/07/2012  12:56:52 ===


[mihai.petcu]

Hello,

You can follow Cosmin's last post regarding this issue.

All the best,
Mihai