Patching Problems

[Lucky.]

Hello,

I am using AI 3.5.1.

My software product has been through several versions, and I have generated new MSI for each one as the versions changed. For each of these, I also generated a new product code (though I see that I should not have).

Now I am making a patch which should patch all older versions to the newest version. The only change that takes place is that a single .EXE be replaced/changed, and a new .OCX be registered.

I read the help file which strongly recommends not changing the product code between small version changes, which I have done, and do not know how to change back.

However I see that in more current versions of Advanced Installer, I see options for "Allow Product Code Mismatches" and "Allow Product Version Major mismatches". I selected both of these in my AIP file.

When choosing options for target images, I see options which say "Product must match base database", and "Upgrade Code must match base database." I did not check either of these.

When I install the patch on a target computer, I get the following message:

The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable. Click OK to try again, or enter an alternative patch to a folder containing the installation package 'MyProduct.msi' in the box below.

MyProduct.MSI corresponds to the original .MSI file that was installed prior to the patch.

When I click cancel, I receive this message:

An installation package for the product 'My Product Name' cannot be found. Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package 'MyProduct.msi'

I thought that much of this problem could be related to the new product codes I had generated. So I performed a test case where I made a new MSI version WITHOUT changing the product code. I made a patch for this as well, which I believed should not cause any troubles.

When running the newly built .MSI, it appeared to work, but then gave me this message:

Please insert the disk:

It gave me no disk number, just the message "Please insert disk", and failed to install.

My questions:

1. I realize that I changed product codes between versions, and this may be a problem. Is this what is keeping me from succesfully patching?

2. Is there perhaps something else I've done that keeps the patch from successfully patching?

3. I hear a lot of talk about upgrading vs. patching. If patching will not work, is it possible to preserve a file from the previous installation during an upgrade? There are two files that I do not want modified during an upgrade. Is it possible to do this, or do they have to be deleted?

Thanks and Best Regards,

-Eric

[Mike]

Hi Eric,

1. Yes, I am afraid that the new product code generated is preventing the patching process from working properly.

2. I would need more details in order to see what is the cause for the error. Did you generated a new MSI starting from the latest version or from the older one. Please detail the exact test scenario.

3. The only way to achieve this is through a custom action. For more information on this please visit:

http://www.advancedinstaller.com/forums ... .php?t=863

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Mihai

[Lucky.]

Thank you very much Mike! I will try this first thing next week.

-Eric