software Installation conflicts

[Industrial System]

I'm using CVI 6.0 to develop application software for factory and vendors. Recently, i Copied a development folder (of mine) and rename it with some other name. I had also renamed the project name as well as executable files. So I created the distribution kit and ready to install into one PC. During Installation, the install window prompt me to uninstall the previous project. Notice that the previously installed software has different executable file name. The question is: What causes the installation window to prompt user to uninstall other software? Is the installer detected the same filename in order to make this decision? Kindly advise.

Thank you,
Chee Chong

Development Engineer
GE Zenith Controls

[msaxon]

The installer relies on a GUID to identify the software. The first time you make a distribution kit for a project, a GUID is generated and stored in the project (.prj) file. Thereafter, whenever you make a distribution kit this same GUID is used.

To make the installer think the software is different, you have to delete the existing GUID from the .prj file. If you open this with notepad, you will see the GUID in the [Distribution Kit] section, e.g.:

Distribution Kit GUID = "{3446C1C3-B931-44FB-BC07-18D4ADCF6623}"

Just delete this line from the project file and save it. The next time you create a distribution kit, a new (different) GUID will be created so the installer will think the software is all new.

--
Martin.

[Industrial System]

Excellent! This works.

[WesW]

And just FYI - in CVI 7.0 you can now change the installer GUID from the Advanced button on the "Create Distribution Kit" dialog.

Regards,
- WesW / NI

[Al_S]

The MSI installer uses a GUID, not the project or app name, to determine if the app is installed. You copied the GUID along with the project.
Instead of copying and renaming your project external to CVI, you can do it within CVI 6.0. If you save your project under a new name (using File >> Save Project As... in the project window) , you'll automatically get a new GUID when you build a distribution kit using the new project. Then the installer won't try to uninstall the old app before installing the new app.