Use an INI file parameter in Custom Name

[randallxski]

Does anyone know if there's a way to use an INI file entry in the Custom Name for the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs name (under Product Details)? I already have a custom search set up to read the INI file value that I need, and I successfully use that value on the Application Folder name, but it is ignored in the Custom Name field.

[Cosmin]

Hi,

I'm afraid that the custom name can use only pseudo-formatted valuea which are resolved when building your project. Can you please give me more details about why you need to change it at install time? It's an unusual request.

Regards,
Cosmin

[randallxski]

Thanks, Cosmin. I wrote a detailed reply yesterday, but apparently this page timed-out and I lost everything I wrote. Anyway, that's unfortunate about the Custom Name field. Here's what I'm trying to do:

I'm creating a generic install where I can just drop in unique customer files and burn a disc. It needs to be a generic install so I don't have to update an installation program and import the unique files for every disc I create. I have 1 unique INI file and 1 folder of customer data that needs to be copied from the disc to the target computer, and since Advanced Installer can't seem to copy a subdirectory structure, I had to do that with xcopy in a batch file. I really don't like that solution, but it works.

In some cases, I need to be able to install multiple sets of customer data on 1 computer. I can currently read an INI file and use one of the values to customize the Application Folder. In order to differentiate installations in the add/remove programs window, I thought I could use the same INI file value.

I don't mind if a second disc just leaves the existing files alone and copies the new ones into the same folder. Is there a way for AI to ignore a previous installed program with the same name and version and install anyways? I haven't found an option to do that yet.

[mihai.petcu]

Hello,

Advanced Installer can't seem to copy a subdirectory structure

Advanced Installer cannot copy empty directory structures but there might be a workaround if this is what you mean. If not, can you please give us more details about the subdirectory structure?

Is there a way for AI to ignore a previous installed program with the same name and version and install anyways?

You can try to do this by creating a template of the project with the same version and name. This way, it will have completely new component GUIDs and also the Product Code changed.

As a generic note, although the package needs to be customized according to the user machine there are some changes that need to be done at build time as well as at install time. In this case I recommend you perhaps consider integrating an automatic build as part of the deployment process.

All the best,
Mihai