Finding the installation path

[silmarba]

I have an application developed with the 5.5 version of LabWindows (A application) and another one developed with the 6 version (B application).

Both of them are installed at my customers PCs with the Distribution kit that is created according to the version.
Both kinds of installer propose an installation path by default but it can be changed by user.

Now, I am using LabWindows 5,5 to develop another application (C Application) that finds the path where those applications were installed.
I can find fast the "A Application" installation path at the Windows registry, through the following branch:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\CVI Run-Time Engine\RegisteredApps] and knowing which is the "Installation Name" used
at the Distribution kit Creation.

Nevertheless, I don't know how I can find the "B Application" installation path.
Have anybody any idea?

[Al_S]

LabWindows 5.5 used a install utility called InstallIt. 6.0 uses MSI installer. Apparently, MSI doesn't write the install path to the registry. I've searched the entire registry for the subdirectory for one of my MSI installed applications. It wasn't there.
If you need this info, you could change B application to create the registry entry when you run the app. Then C application would be able to find it. But this won't help find the old B app version already installed.
Why do you need to find the other apps? Is it to use some common data or setup? If so, you could use a common directory for that type of data for all you apps.

[silmarba]

Oh, I was fearing this kind of answer: "You cannot do what you want, but in a future you can prevent this by doing another thing..."

The problem is that I can change application B no longer.

Another difference more between 5,5 and 6 versions!!!

In any case, I am very pleased for your answer confirming my fears.

silmarba

[frbaucop]

Just an idea
Windows knows were the application are installed (control panel etc...)
So I would not be surprise if a MSI SDK would publish a function that could
help you to find installation information (directory etc...) based on the
application name
Did you look :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/platform_sdk_components_for_windows_installer_developers.asp

I know and understand this is not fun this is the only idea I have right
now.
--
Philippe
Feel free to visit : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/philippe.baucour



"silmarba" a écrit dans le message de
news:506500000008000000F2920000-1042324653000@exchange.ni.com...
> I have an application developed with the 5.5 version of LabWindows (A
> application) and another one
developed with the 6 version (B
> application).
>
> Both of them are installed at my customers PCs with the Distribution
> kit that is created according to the version.
> Both kinds of installer propose an installation path by default but it
> can be changed by user.
>
> Now, I am using LabWindows 5,5 to develop another application (C
> Application) that finds the path where those applications were
> installed.
> I can find fast the "A Application" installation path at the Windows
> registry, through the following branch:
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\National Instruments\CVI Run-Time
> Engine\RegisteredApps] and knowing which is the "Installation Name"
> used at the Distribution kit Creation.
>
> Nevertheless, I don't know how I can find the "B Application"
> installation path.
> Have anybody any idea?