Tips/Advice: Three separate installs to one target....

[neal007]

Hello,

I'd like to build an installation that essentially I need to keep track of where the user installs main install.

I want to break out my features into separate installs to keep file size down, so...

I want to have a main application installation, and somehow store the location the user installed to.

Then if they purchase the add-ons, they would then install BUT these add-ons must go to folders below the main install, so from within this installation I need to know the main install path, then add this install to the sub-folder of that.

How do I do this? Any examples would be greatly appreciated.

I assume I am kicked out of Basic MSI for this and need to use the InstallScript MSI and start coding.

Please help!

Thanks!

[LewisQ]

If I got this right, one way would be to use System Search to populate the property that would hold the INSTALLDIR (or INSTALLDIR itself).

[neal007]

Yeah, thought of that, but, the chance of hitting a file that the user didn't remove somewhere else scares me, and also, this probably isn't the most efficient method. I think it's going to come down to, via script, saving the installdir (however you do that) to the registry, then the add-on apps getting this value and appending to it for their target folders.

Where's my trusty tylenol?? :)

[Art Middlekauff]

How about a system search for one of the components in your base setup? This can be done in the search view without any script coding.

[neal007]

Okay, but then what? What do I tell the installer from there to have it install to that location?

[David Thornley]

The system search view can be used to directly set INSTALLDIR! As long as your component destinations derive from INSTALLDIR you will be ready to go.

You can use script but learning the system search view might be helpfull now and in the future.

[neal007]

Okay, great, thanks!