Installation error message: TARGETDIR is undefined

[ZVS]

  I built the distribution package and it installs software fine on XP and W7 based systems. But under one PC with Windows Vista I got the next error message (pic 1) instead of offering to choose the installation directories (pic 2).

Do you have any idea what may be wrong with these PC or with destribution configuration and how to fix it?

[Trey_C · Accepted solution]

Hi ZVS,

Thanks for attaching those screen shots, it makes it so much easier to see what is happening!  This is actually a known problem that can occur on some Windows Vista computers when a specific folder is not created when the OS was installed.  Luckily, this is easily remedied by following the steps in this Knowledge Base article.  Good luck with your project!

Regards,

Trey C. 

[ZVS]

Thank you, Trey, for your quick reply. We will try the instructions and I hope it helps.

But regarding this problem do I understand correct that there is (and there will be) no workaround except a manual fix?

[Trey_C]

ZVS,

That's correct - you will need to fix this manually by creating a folder as illustrated in the knowledge base article linked above.  

Regards,

Trey C.

[ZVS]

I can finally confirm that the solution worked fine.

[sng99]

I have the "Documents" folder but still encounter the same problem.

However, I discovered that in the Destination page, if I take the default, create my folder under "[Program Files]", I don't have the problem. If I put it under "[System]" or create an absolute path, then no matter what I do, the problem persists.

[D-Cubed]

Hi, sng99

Can you give us more details on what problem you are seeing? A few pieces of information which would be helpful are:

• What does your destination set up look like in the LabWindows/CVI distribution editor? (Please provide some screenshots with this)
• When you say 'create my folder under "[Program Files]",' to what folder are you referring? (For example, is this the folder containing your application? Supporting files?)
• What are you putting under System? When you put 'it' under System, are you then not putting it elsewhere
• To what OS systems are you deploying your application via LabWindows/CVI installer? Do you see these problems on a specific OS?

Thanks,

[sng99]

I have figured it out. It is only a matter of specifying the "default" folder (The little red check mark) in the destinations page.

If I have the check mark in the right folder, in the source file settings page, I can see all my files. Then I won't have the error and the build and installation will both be successful.

If I don't see my files, then I will get the error.

Thanks

[AMozzi]

I incurred in the same error on Windows XP; it appeared when our network administrator decided to update the computer with the last packages published before Windows update was stopped for XP. After hours of attempts, I tried to uninstall everything, but even the uninstall failed with an error 1601. Googling for this error led me to the suggestion to install Windows Installer, version 4.5. Bingo! everything then was completely smooth!

the link for the Windows Installer is https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/942288/windows-installer-4-5-is-available

[Vamshi99]

If you get 'Access denied', when you enter the last command, make sure after you type cmd in the search, right click on command prompt and select open as administrator.

Then type the commands shown in the picture.

IF THIS HELPED YOU ,GIVE ME A KUDOS