How to prevent prompt to install CVI Run-Time Engine?

[jstevens]

The LabVIEW laptop for my client got messed up, so I spent several hours making it forget everything it ever knew about NI software.  I started by uninstalling all NI applications, then manually deleted all the folders that the uninstaller leaves behind, then ran a couple of registry cleaners to sweep out as much NI as possible, and finally ran regedit to see what was left.  In the end there were only some legacy drivers that regedit would not let me delete.

Then I installed 8.6.1 from DVD, carefully selecting only the options we needed; LabVIEW core, cRIO, FPGA, PID, and the minimum set of drivers the installer would let me get away with.  Note that no Labwindows/CVI option boxes were checked.  When the installation was complete, I rebooted the machine and launched LabVIEW, which immediately prompted me to install the LabWindows/CVI 8.5.1 (not 8.6.1) Run-Time Engine.  I dutifully fed it my 8.6.1 DVD, which caused LabVIEW to crash.  After 3 reboot/retry cycles with the same result, I decided to appeal to the forum for help.

What is causing LabVIEW to think I need the CVI Run-Time Engine (and a down-rev version, at that), and how do I convince LabVIEW that I do not?

Jeff

[Dennis_Knutson]

I am not sure why you are getting the crash but the installation of the CVI runtime is normal and the rev of it is not the same as the LabVIEW rev.

[jstevens]

Thanks for the reply!  OK, so LabVIEW needs the CVI RTE even though I'm not using any CVI features.  I can live with that.  I downloaded LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Engine 8.5 from the NI web site and tried to install it.  After I confirmed that I accepted whatever that license agreement says, the installer told me that "No software will be installed or removed."

Then I opened LabVIEW, and it went through the same "The feature you are trying to use..." popup and tried to install the CVI RTE.  The installation failed as usual, and LabVIEW crashed.

A few minutes ago I found and ran CVTRTE.msi on the 8.6.1 distribution DVD.  I selected the "repair" option, which completed successfully.  After rebooting, I launched LabVIEW only to be greeted with the now-hated NI LabWindows/CVI 8.5.1 Run-Time Engine installer.

The part of this that is so infuriating is that there appears to be no way for anyone to make a computer forget everything NI so you can start with a clean slate.

Jeff

[Z'atari]

Hey jstevens,

Short of reformatting, you can Remove all NI references, the link should provide you with a tool and pdf. Proceed with care since you are editing the Registry in Windows.

Hope it helps!

Regards,

A. Zaatari