Merge Module Not Updating Files

[DPenney]

So, I have a weird problem that I am having a difficult time resolving. I will try to describe the situation.

App_Installer_v2.2.exe is an MSI wrapped in an exe that contains Support_App.MSM (which contains Support App v1.0). It installs fine in our tests. Support_App.MSM was updated to contain a new version of the supporting app (Support App v2.0). As part of an upgrade to our main app installer, this updated merge module was included in App_Installer_v2.3.exe. When we run App_Installer_v2.3.exe, the files from the merge module are not updated - it seems to skip them.

I have tried running the install from an admin level command line with logging to see if I could find any reference or log entry relating to why the files in the MSM were being skipped, but ... well the log is much more complicated than I am capable of parsing

If I look at the properties for the support app (contained within the updated MSM), the app has the 'Overwrite only if the existing file is older' Overwrite behaviour set (checked). The support app has a newer date and a higher version number (2020.11.6.1 versus 2017.8.7.1). There are a few other files in that MSM that are not being updated as well, but if we can discover why the support app is not being updated, the rest may follow.

We have a second product that uses the same MSM, Lets call that App2_Installer_v2020.exe. If I run App_Installer_v2.2.exe to set up the system, running App_Installer_v2.3.exe _fails_ to install the update support app from the MSM _but_ if I run the App2_Installer_v2020.exe, the support app _does_ get updated. I have tried comparing the settings/configurations for both App_Installer_v2.3.aip and App2_Installer_v2020.exe but I can not get them to both operate the same.

Please help

I am including (I hope) the log file generated from install of App_Installer_v2.3.exe. We do have some SECREPAIR errors in there but they occur with both the v2.2 and v2.3 installers.

[DPenney]

If it helps, in the log file attached, the following lines are maybe relevant:

469: The first reference to the folders that the support MSM contains. ENC Administrator is it's name;
5134: A third reference to the folders that the support MSM contains;
21546: Some messages referencing: "folder had been blocked by the 1 mask argument" that seem to pertain to the support app;
21609: The support app: Substitution in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\QPS\ENC Administrator\2.4\EncAdministrator.exe' folder had been blocked by the 1 mask argument (the folder pair's iSwapAttrib member = 0).'
68002: Where the support app is dealt with;
68006: "File: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\QPS\ENC Administrator\2.4\EncAdministrator.exe; Overwrite; Won't patch; Existing file is a lower version"

... so that may be the problem ...

[DPenney]

I guess I misread that last 'error'. It says that it won't patch the file but it should update it, right?

Code: Select all

MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:34:973]: Executing op: RegisterSharedComponentProvider(,,File=_D8D25A9DD89A4E93B4DEDAC2C8F37A58.FBD0E5417C544FE1B7A2B095B66D11D9,Component={91023D2B-E9DD-E901-EED1-5DC75967E990},ComponentVersion=2020.11.6.1,ProductCode={02B7BE95-DDBC-45FA-A7EE-D587F418D8E5},ProductVersion=2.3.0,PatchSize=0,PatchAttributes=0,PatchSequence=0,SharedComponent=0,IsFullFile=0)
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:34:973]: Executing op: CacheRTMFile(SourceFilePath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\QPS\ENC Administrator\2.4\EncAdministrator.exe,FileKey=_D8D25A9DD89A4E93B4DEDAC2C8F37A58.FBD0E5417C544FE1B7A2B095B66D11D9,,ProductCode={5FC0E5B9-D21D-45FE-83EE-5BC2952AFE84},ProductVersion=2.2.5,Attributes=16896,,,,CopierFlags=0,,,,,,)
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:34:973]: Note: 1: 2318 2: C:\Windows\Installer\$PatchCache$\Managed\9B5E0CF5D12DEF5438EEB52C59A2EF48\2.2.5\_D8D25A9DD89A4E93B4DEDAC2C8F37A58.FBD0E5417C544FE1B7A2B095B66D11D9 
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:35:020]: Executing op: RegisterSharedComponentProvider(,,File=_D8D25A9DD89A4E93B4DEDAC2C8F37A58.FBD0E5417C544FE1B7A2B095B66D11D9,Component={91023D2B-E9DD-E901-EED1-5DC75967E990},ComponentVersion=2017.8.7.1,ProductCode={5FC0E5B9-D21D-45FE-83EE-5BC2952AFE84},ProductVersion=2.2.5,PatchSize=0,PatchAttributes=0,PatchSequence=0,SharedComponent=0,IsFullFile=0)
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:35:020]: Executing op: FileCopy(SourceName=ENCADM~1.EXE|EncAdministrator.exe,SourceCabKey=_D8D25A9DD89A4E93B4DEDAC2C8F37A58.FBD0E5417C544FE1B7A2B095B66D11D9,DestName=EncAdministrator.exe,Attributes=16896,FileSize=7617024,PerTick=65536,,VerifyMedia=1,,,,,CheckCRC=0,Version=2020.11.6.1,Language=1033,InstallMode=58982400,,,,,,,)
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:35:020]: File: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\QPS\ENC Administrator\2.4\EncAdministrator.exe;	Overwrite;	Won't patch;	Existing file is a lower version
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:35:020]: Source for file '_D8D25A9DD89A4E93B4DEDAC2C8F37A58.FBD0E5417C544FE1B7A2B095B66D11D9' is compressed
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:35:020]: Re-applying security from existing file.
MSI (s) (4C:54) [10:13:35:036]: Verifying accessibility of file: EncAdministrator.exe

[DPenney]

That code block above exists in the logs for, from my story in the original post, App_Installer_v2.3.exe and App2_Installer_v2020.exe. There are no further references to the support app.exe file below that point in both logs, and no references to the GUID as well. So, I can not see what is happening to the file from that point onward. Not sure how to proceed unless the Advanced Installer resources on this forum can point me to something else in the log...

[DPenney]

EDIT: Removed this post because it looks like a recent test I did and it did not reflect the previous logs. So I messed something up with my recent tests that had me hopeful.

[DPenney]

Any help with this?

[Catalin]

Hello,

Please accept my apologies for the delayed reply (we had some days off due to National Holidays).

I have ran some tests on my end and everything worked as expected (the files were updated as expected).

In order for me to further investigate this, could you please forward me the following resources:

- a copy of the App_Installer_v2.2 AIP file

- a copy of the App_Installer_v2.3 AIP file

- a download link for the App_Installer_v2.2.exe

- a download link for the App_Installer_v2.3.exe

- a copy of the .AIP file used to generate the MSM (Support_App.MSM)

- the verbose log for the upgrade process (v2.2 to v2.3)

by e-mail at support at advancedinstaller dot com?

Best regards,
Catalin

[DPenney]

Thanks Catalin. I will provide this info tomorrow. It may be a little complex.

[DPenney]

Email has been sent.

[Catalin]

Hello David,

I have replied to you over the e-mail.

Best regards,
Catalin

[DPenney]

Customer update: Great working with the Advanced Installer crew and Catalin.

Result: There were two folders with the 'Do Not Overwrite Existing Files' flag set. The folder was something like C:\Program Files\Common Files\QPS. Since the MSM was installing into that folder as well, it was subjected to the rules governing the flag and the files were installed and then rolled back. The log didn't report this.

It is all solved now and I appreciate the time and effort put into helping me with this issue.

[Catalin]

You are always welcome, David!

I am really glad I was able to assist.

Thank you very much for your kind words!

All the best,
Catalin