2 replies to this topic

[rkode]

Hello everyone,

I have been asked to change my InstallShield 2008 Professional basic msi, so that it requires XML parser 3.0 and XML parser 4.0 to be installed else my msi will end.

Has anyone done this ?

And if so, can I ask how you did it so that I might do that same ?

Thanks in advance.

Ray in Wisconsin

[Zweitze]

Most installs handle this different: they check for MSXML, if it's not present then it will be installed too. To do this you just add the right Merge Module to your project.

[rkode]

Thanks for your reply.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.


Here's my situation:
The msi that I am working on, installs product "B" into an already existing product.
I'll call that product "A".

The XML Parser’s, versions 3.0 and 4.0 are pre-reqs for product "A".

My msi checks for the exists of product "A".
And if it isn't on the pc, my msi displays a message saying as much and then ends.

I currently have the merger module MSXML 3.0 and the two MSXML 4.0 merge modules included in my basic msi.

But in theory, there really shouldn't be a need for me to include them.
(Cuz product "A" requires them.)

Here's the rub.
I have installed and run product "A", without having the XML Parsers installed.
So, I know product "A" isn't looking for them during "install" time.
Product "A"s documentation SAYS they are a requirement.
So the product "A" folks must be relying on the users to "manually" install the XML Parsers.
I'm not an expert in running product "A".
So there could very well be a part of that application which uses the XML Parsers and I just don't how to exercise that part of product "A".

Here’s my motivation:
I think that I can safely remove the MSXML merge modules from my msi.
But as a safety net, I have been asked to try and validate that the XML Parsers versions 3 and 4 are indeed installed when my msi runs.

And if not, display a dialog that says as much and then end.

And here's what I'm trying to do:
I'm looking for way to determine if the parsers are installed or not.
As an experiment, I installed both XML parsers, and THINK that I can identify if they are present or not.

But I was kinda, sorta, hoping that someone else might have already been down this road.
And, that I might take advantage of their experience.


Thanks again for your reply.
I DO appreciate it.

Ray in Wisconsin