pcoveney
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 6:33 pm

newbie questions chained installers

Apologize if these questions are answered elsewhere. I have looked the other question regarding chained installers, but don't see the exact same question(s).

The AI Help for creating chained installer notes that step 1 is to "add the chained package by selecting its MSI", but it does not note *where* to select that MSI. The AI Help for chained packages shows a UI with a Chained folder on the Prerequisites page, under Packages, but this does not appear in my UI. I do have an Enterprise version, so I should have access to the chaining feature. When I right-click the Main Package feature, i get a menu that includes New Windows Installer Package. This allows me to select the MSI I want to chain, but when I build and run the installer, the chained installer so added does not run, although its only Condition is "Always Install Prerequisite".

I suspect the Prerequisites page is not where I'm supposed to "add the chained package by selecting its MSI". Any help?

Best, Phil
Catalin
Posts: 7012
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:49 am

Re: newbie questions chained installers

Hello Phill and welcome to our forums,

In "Prerequisites" page, if you click on the "Add windows installer package" from the toolbar, you should be able to add an MSI.
Screenshot_204.png
Screenshot_204.png (52.04 KiB) Viewed 1264 times
If the prerequisite wasn't added as "Chained", you can check the option from the "Installation" tab of your prerequisite.
Screenshot_205.png
Screenshot_205.png (112.36 KiB) Viewed 1264 times
This allows me to select the MSI I want to chain, but when I build and run the installer, the chained installer so added does not run, although its only Condition is "Always Install Prerequisite".
For this, could you please forward me (either here or by email at support at advancedinstaller dot com) a copy of your AIP file so I can investigate its' settings?
I suspect the Prerequisites page is not where I'm supposed to "add the chained package by selecting its MSI".
The "Prerequisite" page is the correct place to add your chained packages.

Best regards,
Catalin
Catalin Gheorghe - Advanced Installer Team
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pcoveney
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 6:33 pm

Re: newbie questions chained installers

Catalin,
Thank you for your reply. I was following the steps you outline already, and the chained package still does not run. I am trying not to take advanatge of your offer to review the AIP projects files, and work out the issue on my own; I am progressing slowly, since I keep getting pulled into other projects. But I wanted to acknowledge your reply.
I believe the issue may be with how the installers are built. The chained installer package is a simple MSI, but the parent installer is an EXE. (We have a prereq in the parent installer of old VC++ libraries that require EXE format.) At some point, my other priorities will allow me to test this thoroughly. If I am unable to work it out on my own, I'll take advantage of your offer, and upload both AIP files.
Thanks for your help,
Phil
Catalin
Posts: 7012
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:49 am

Re: newbie questions chained installers

You are always welcome, Phill!

if you require any other asisstance, please let me know and I will gladly help.

Best regards,
Catalin
Catalin Gheorghe - Advanced Installer Team
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pcoveney
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 6:33 pm

Re: newbie questions chained installers

Hi Catalin,
I emailed the two AIP files involved on Monday, haven't heard from you. If you would, please just confirm you have received the email; I understand you may be dealing with multiple issues.,
Phil
Catalin
Posts: 7012
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:49 am

Re: newbie questions chained installers

Hello Phil,

I know you noticed this already by now, but I already replied to your email. :)

Let's continue the thread over there for now so we can avoid duplicate threads.

Best regards,
Catalin
Catalin Gheorghe - Advanced Installer Team
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