ericlevin
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:53 am

Check for new version online before install question

My installation package contains the .Net framework (40 mb) and my program (8 mb). It will be distributed primarily on CD.

I'd like the installer to check online for a new version (if the client computer is connected to the internet) before installing the disc version. The .Net framework package is unlikely to change so I don't need it to be downloaded. I want clients to have a 7mb download, not 47+ mb.

My question:
1. Can the installer check for a new MSI before installing? The documentation for the updates.ini seems to require size or hash checking of an already installed file.
2. Is it possible for the prerequisite to be installed to be installed from a separate file on disc? I can only see options to embed in the the EXE or always download.

Bug
There seems to be a bug in the bootstrapper. My project is installed per-user with no admin rights required. When the bootstrapper starts with normal privileges It tries to start the .Net installer multiple times and then fails. My guess is this is occurring because normal processes cannot interact with admin processes and the bootstrapper can't see if .Net is installing. It would be great if this could be solved as my program doesn't need to be installed with admin and it makes setup quick and easy with no UAC prompts.
Daniel
Posts: 8276
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:11 pm
Contact: Website

Re: Check for new version online before install question

Hi,
1. Can the installer check for a new MSI before installing? The documentation for the updates.ini seems to require size or hash checking of an already installed file.

If you want to achieve this you can enable the Deployment -> Media -> Bootstrapper -> Check for a newer version of the installation package before installing the current one option. If this option is enabled, before installing the application package, a version check will be executed.
Please keep in mind that the update check will be executed based on the INI file generated from your Updates Configuration Project and this feature will run only if the EXE Bootstrapper is enabled.
2. Is it possible for the prerequisite to be installed to be installed from a separate file on disc?

You can enable the "Leave install files outside" option from "Bootstrapper" tab. In this manner the EXE file will be created separately from the MSI file.
When the bootstrapper starts with normal privileges It tries to start the .Net installer multiple times and then fails.

Please keep in mind that you must have administrator privileges to install the .NET Framework.

Regards,
Daniel
Daniel Radu - Advanced Installer Team
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