6 replies to this topic

[kittu_s]

We are facing a problem while installing SQL Express along with pubtool setup.
I took the following approach for SQL installation

1.Dumping the SQLEXPR.EXE into temp location while doing initial setup process.
2.If the SQL express is not installed on that machine invoking the SQLEXPR.EXE using custom action. This custom action sequenced after AppSearch.
3.This is giving an error “ERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNING” after extracting the SQL exe.

This error occurs because “Microsoft Windows Installer can only run one installation at a time unless it is a nested installation”.
Can you please suggest is there any other way to install SQL Express along with our setup.

The whole idea is our setup should install SQL Express 2005 (if not exists) along with our project files.

Note: we are not using any tools like installsheild,orca and wise installar.
We are writing xml and mdf files then building msi using windows installar dlls.


Thanks & Regards
Krishna.S

[Glytzhkof]

The best way to do this would be to write your own setup.exe bootstrapper that would install the SQL components before your own setup is launched. The error is caused by the fact that windows only allow one concurrent Windows Installer InstallExecute sequence to run at a time. The Setup.exe would check if SQL is installed, then install it if need be and finally launch your own MSI.

Edited by Glytzhkof, 19 October 2005 - 16:49.

[kittu_s]

where should i find a sample to create bootstraper.

BTW we should not use any tools. Is is possible to write the bootstrapper in C++. Where can i find samples/guide lines.

thanks
krishna.s

[kittu_s]

I would like to detail the problem why i should add a file in the windows temp folder.
We have a requirement that our setup should attach a database at the end of the installation. We are using SQL express 2005.
I am executing "osql -E -S <servername> -q "sp_attach_db <dbname>,<mdf file path>"" in a custom action.
while execuiting this command it will create a LDF log file. At this moment if i give mdf path other than windows temp folder it is failes with message "Acess denied"

Please suggest if any alternatives

Thanks
Krishna.s

[Stefan Krueger]

Bootstrapper samples:
http://www.msifaq.com/a/1036.htm

[kittu_s]

Hi Stefan,
Thanks a lot for your response.

Is there any site\location where i can find the bootstrapper samples which will help me to create bootstrapper msi.

We are writing all the source data in form of xml and mdf files and then generating msi file using msi dlls. Please guide me how to create bootstrapper msi in this environment. If possbile send the location where i can find the samples.

Thanks a lot for help
Krishna.S

[Stefan Krueger]

What's wrong with the dotNetInstaller sample that's listed on that FAQ page?