prerequisite or chained installation or install new version

[ajon13]

I have a Java license, which I use to generate an msi file. Inside the msi file I have the binaries of another non-java program. I call these binaries from my Java application.

My problem is these binaries are huge compared to my program and they never change, and everytime I update the software all of the clients have to download a huge file.

The way I see it I have 3 options:

1) Use a Prerequisite step to install the additional binaries (only if changed).
2) Use a Chained package to install the additional binaries (only if changed).
3) keep doing what I am doing but use the Install new version first then uninstall old version feature.

Any suggestions? If I should do one of these three, what are the steps I need to do? I'm a very novice user at this point, but trying to learn.

[Eusebiu]

Hi and welcome to Advanced Installer forums.

Thank you for your interest in Advanced Installer.

In order to achieve what you want you can follow the steps below:
- create a simple MSI package that contains only the binaries of the non-java program (i.e. name it "Binaries.msi")
- go in the Prerequisites page of the main package project and using the "New URL Prerequisite" toolbar button add the URL to the "Binaries.msi" package, then click [OK]. In this case the "Binaries.msi" package will be added as a prerequisite and it will be downloaded from the server at the installation time (you can move it in the "Feature-based" folder or you can let it in the "Pre-install" folder if you wish)
- go in the "Install Conditions" tab of this prerequisite and check the "Install prerequisite based on conditions" option
- then using the [New...] button create a "Product Version (identify by Product Code)" search and in the "Product Code" field write the product code of the "Binaries.msi" package (remove the predefined "File Version" search)
- go in the Custom Actions page, add a "Launch file" custom action and place it after the "Finish Dialogs Stage"
- configure your custom action like in the example below:

• File To Launch: msiexec.exe
  Command Line: /x <and the product code of the "Binaries.msi" package> (to uninstall the "Binaries.msi" package)
  Execution Options: uncheck all options
  Dialogs Stage Condition: check only "Uninstall" (the "Binaries.msi" package will be uninstalled only when the main package is completely uninstalled, not on upgrade of the main package)

- build and run the project

Let us know if this helped, otherwise give us more details about your scenario.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[ajon13]

This is most helpful, and seems to be exactly what I am looking for.

However, what I am running into is when I run my installer the prerequisite is not running. I don't think it is downloading either. Do you have any ideas or suggestions as to why this might be?

Thank you for your time!

Since I think it will be helpful:

under "Prerequisites" I right clicked on "Pre-install" then "New URL Prerequisite"
Properties tab:
Display --> Name: Required Binaries
Display --> Minimum version: 1.0.0
everything else is unchecked

Setup Files tab:
Location --> Download single file from URL (selected)
Main Setup File --> URL: https://www.url.to.msi.file
everthing else is blank or unchecked

Install Conditions tab:
Install Conditions --> Install prerequisite based on conditions (Selected)
1 criteria:
Product Version (identify by Product Code) Search String {product id}
Install Conditions --> install only if all conditions are false (selected)
everything else is unchecked or blank.

Then under Custom Actions:
Added LaunchFile under Finish Dialogs Stage:
Properties --> File To Launch: msiexec.exe
Properties --> command Line: /x 0A0A000A-0A00-ASDF-ASDF-QWERSADFGSDF <-- Using my actual product id.
Execution Time --> Immediately (selected)
Dialogs Stage Condition --> uninstall (selected)
everything else is unchecked or blank

[ajon13]

Update: When my main project is an exe with the above settings it seems to be working.

However I can't get it to work with a .msi file.

[Eusebiu]

Hi,

When a prerequisite is added in the "Pre-install" folder the main package is automatically turned to an EXE package. If you want to have an MSI package you can add the prerequisite in the "Feature-based" folder, then go in the Media page of the main project and select an MSI package type.

Let us know if this helped.

Best regards,
Eusebiu

[ajon13]

It Worked. Thanks a lot.

[Eusebiu]

You're welcome. I'm glad you got this working.

Best regards,
Eusebiu