Software Deployment

I saw an example of a guy using C++ to detect the registry keys needed and throwing an error as a custom action. Maybe you should write a vbscript to find the appropriate registry keys and raise errors if they cannot be found?

I have not used system search for the registry so I'm no good in that department.

Can you please show me what keys I should check or point me where to look for it? I can't find. Help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Tanya

I really need your help

You should determine what file or reg key is specific to MSDE and do a system search for that. Feed that value to a property, then branch your script from that (i.e. if the property value is Null or doesn't return the REG key or file name, throw an error and exit the installation)

SQL Server Version can be put in System Requirements, as you've already noted.

Thank you for reply, but that's exactly what I can't find: what registry key shows me for sure if MSDE exists.
As for SQL Server, I need to check if one of two (SQL or MSDE) exists, and if I use System Requirements for SQL, it will stop installation even if MSDE installed.

Any suggestions?

Hi,

Unsure if this will help but what you could do is within WPS use the Install Editor. Go to the System Search option and create a new serach for a registry key.

I have just searched a test WinXP SP2 PC and found the following keys;

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellCompatibility\Applications\msdev.exe\Version = "6.*"

or

HKLM\System\ControlSet001\Services\Eventlog\Application\MSSQLServer/MSDE\EventMessageFile = Hex(2) XXXXXXX

You could then create a custom action within the MSIScript Editor with an If Statement (NOt INstalled) then execute the installations for either SQL or MSDE.

Hope this helps a little.

PS - I am using WPS 5.5 but I am sure this worked with 5.1.