Lab Windows 8.5 install distributions contents

[Ken-This-is-my-stinking-a]

I am building a distribution from a laptop to be used on a PXI box.

Is there a way to look at the distribution to determine things like the install path, included files, short cut path, .... 

[Mert_A.]

I assume you're asking about examining an already built distribution to find out its details. The short answer is, no, there's no metadata or other such easily accessible representation of the information you're interested in. However, if you are familiar with Microsoft Installer (MSI) databases, you can open your application's installer (<output directory>\Volume\bin\dp\<application name>.msi) in a tool like Orca or Wise and peruse as you like. The File table will list all the files being installed, and similarly, the Shortcut table will list the shortcuts. The directory listed as INSTALLDIR.MDF100 in the Directory table corresponds to your application directory. By looking at the DefaultDir and Directory Parent columns, you can trace the full default installation path.

Sorry I don't have an easier solution for you.

Mert A.

National Instruments

[Ken-This-is-my-stinking-a]

Thanks.

I was trying to browse at some files with a Hex editor, and that was not helping much.

I will try Orca and Wise to see what they show.

I was trying to do something to show the included files and  install path so that will help (I was having problems setting the install path, and kept having to install to check it, but I did get it).

[Mert_A.]

If you have any difficulty that you suspect is a bug or other misbehavior of CVI, please let us know. If you can't trust the settings you're seeing in CVI, then that signals a problem.

Mert A.

National Instruments

[Ken-This-is-my-stinking-a]

No, I actually could not figure out what to change to get the install directory set.

I was trying changing the names used on the  General tab of the Edit Installer panel;

I found on the Files tab, in the Installation Files & Directories a bolded folder, and selected the folder I wanted and right clicked and it had a option to set as the Application directory (I think that was the change that worked).

I had trouble with my help yesterday, and later found that the file I was getting an error message on was not in the proper folder, so I couldn't use help. I found the file (later in the day, in a different folder, I must have accidentally dragged and dropped it). That is working correctly now too.

So, it looks like this is working good now.

I'm downloading the stuff from MS for Orca.

[Ken-This-is-my-stinking-a]

I downloaded and installed MS Software Developer Kit, which from a search at MS was listed as containing Orca.

It ended up being for Vista, and has messed up my DLLs, and today I am having all sorts of application problems. The DLLs that USER32.dll use are messed up.

I'm uninstalling this now,hopefully that will fix stuff, othewise I think I'll ahve to repair WinXP, and not have to reinstall it.

Do you know if there is an Orca install that is stand alone?

Otherwise I will look for the other one after I fix my laptop.

[Mert_A.]

Yikes. I'm sorry to hear that. It looks like Microsoft doesn't provide a standalone package for Orca, despite significant demand for that. I did find a link to a standalone intaller on Softpedia. I'd recommend trying that. Also, I should say that Wise for Windows Installer is not free. It's a much more powerful editor/development tool, but for the basic functionality you're looking for, I'd say Orca should be sufficient.

I hope you can resolve your system issues without too much difficulty.

Mert A.

National Instruments