Packaging issues with Adobe Reader 6.0.1
Hi
I have followed some of the suggestions from the knowledgebase to package Adobe Reader 6.0.1. I didn't use the Adobe's Tuner utility.. instead used Wise Package Studio, to create my custom MST. I have added some custom HKCU reg keys, and enabled self healing.
Generally, all is fine. When you install for the first time, the user launches Adobe Reader by double clicking on a PDF doc from windows explorer or the shortcut on desktop. This fires up self-healing, and the HKCU keys are populated.
However, when you launch PDF docs via Internet Explorer, this does not kick off the self-heal (probably because its addin or something). I then close IE. Then i relaunch Adobe Reader 6 from the shortcut on the desktop, and it begins the self-heal and populates the HKCU keys. Problem is, when you close the app, some of the HKCU keys disappear for some reason. If you launch Reader again for second time, then its ok this time.
I have done some research, and this is what i have come up so far.
There seems to be a bug or something, when you launch PDF docs via IE. When you close IE, the "acrord32.exe" process does not die. It will remain, until you reboot or kill it manually. So, if i kill the process manually, and then i relaunch Reader via the desktop shortcut... everything is sweet.
So, it looks like, if for some reason, "acrord32.exe" process is active, prior to first launch of Reader6, it does not populate the HKCU keys properly.
Anyone have any ideas? or experience something similar?
Thanks
Dave
I have followed some of the suggestions from the knowledgebase to package Adobe Reader 6.0.1. I didn't use the Adobe's Tuner utility.. instead used Wise Package Studio, to create my custom MST. I have added some custom HKCU reg keys, and enabled self healing.
Generally, all is fine. When you install for the first time, the user launches Adobe Reader by double clicking on a PDF doc from windows explorer or the shortcut on desktop. This fires up self-healing, and the HKCU keys are populated.
However, when you launch PDF docs via Internet Explorer, this does not kick off the self-heal (probably because its addin or something). I then close IE. Then i relaunch Adobe Reader 6 from the shortcut on the desktop, and it begins the self-heal and populates the HKCU keys. Problem is, when you close the app, some of the HKCU keys disappear for some reason. If you launch Reader again for second time, then its ok this time.
I have done some research, and this is what i have come up so far.
There seems to be a bug or something, when you launch PDF docs via IE. When you close IE, the "acrord32.exe" process does not die. It will remain, until you reboot or kill it manually. So, if i kill the process manually, and then i relaunch Reader via the desktop shortcut... everything is sweet.
So, it looks like, if for some reason, "acrord32.exe" process is active, prior to first launch of Reader6, it does not populate the HKCU keys properly.
Anyone have any ideas? or experience something similar?
Thanks
Dave
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Answers (11)
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Posted by:
cdupuis
20 years ago
I have experienced some of the above. I ended up using Adobe Reader 6.0.0 instead of 6.0.1 for the same reasons, but 6.0.0 is very hard to find right now. If you like I can send you the installer for it. Also, i suggest using the Tuner for creating transforms as it is totally customized to remove specific functions, it is totally the way to go.
Posted by:
MSIMaker
20 years ago
If you want to get the HKCU info inserted properly then create a custom key and set it as a keypath.
ie. HKCU\Software\{your organisation name}\{appname}\{version}
This will ensure that all current user info will be populated whnever the user runs the app first time.
ie. HKCU\Software\{your organisation name}\{appname}\{version}
This will ensure that all current user info will be populated whnever the user runs the app first time.
Posted by:
kory
20 years ago
Jim
I basically did all that, and the current user reg keys get populated ok, only if you launch the Reader6 shortcut icon first.
If you launch pdf docs via IE first, and then close IE, it leaves the "acrord32.exe" process behind... it does not die.
Hence, for some reason, when you launch Reader6 from shortcut after this, it does populate all current user reg keys, but soon as you shutdown reader6, some of the reg keys disappear. This only happens when "acrord32.exe" thread was still active.
I cant see a way around this, except modify the MSI or MST so, when you launch PDF via IE, it kicks off the self repair then, to populate the current user reg keys. However, im not good enough with MSI packaging to do this yet. I only know how to do the basic shortcut advertising, which links to the exe. IE seems to launch some kind of activex or plugin to view PDF.
Dave
I basically did all that, and the current user reg keys get populated ok, only if you launch the Reader6 shortcut icon first.
If you launch pdf docs via IE first, and then close IE, it leaves the "acrord32.exe" process behind... it does not die.
Hence, for some reason, when you launch Reader6 from shortcut after this, it does populate all current user reg keys, but soon as you shutdown reader6, some of the reg keys disappear. This only happens when "acrord32.exe" thread was still active.
I cant see a way around this, except modify the MSI or MST so, when you launch PDF via IE, it kicks off the self repair then, to populate the current user reg keys. However, im not good enough with MSI packaging to do this yet. I only know how to do the basic shortcut advertising, which links to the exe. IE seems to launch some kind of activex or plugin to view PDF.
Dave
Posted by:
MSIMaker
20 years ago
Have you registered the dll's for IE Helper?
I think from memory you have to register the following dll's using the Ordered method in Wise.
AcroIEHelper.dll
pdf.ocx
If you register those 2 then the HKCR info should be installed by the main app and the plugin should work.
How are you installing the app.....GPO or published?
I think from memory you have to register the following dll's using the Ordered method in Wise.
AcroIEHelper.dll
pdf.ocx
If you register those 2 then the HKCR info should be installed by the main app and the plugin should work.
How are you installing the app.....GPO or published?
Posted by:
kory
20 years ago
CDUPUI,
I am having problems getting the Install Tuner working.
I install it ok, but when i go to create a new Transoform, and then select "shortcut" for example, it just sits there and do nothing. If i click Files, it seems to be ok, but "shortcut", "preference", and there was something else... they just sit there and do nothing. Know anything about this?
Jim,
I will give the registration a try.
Also, we use SMS to deploy the software.
Our version5 of the reader was packaged using WISE. I noticed when uninstalling this, it breaks Writer5 and 6, and also probably other Adobe products... SIGH!!
This is becoming a pain now!!
Dave
I am having problems getting the Install Tuner working.
I install it ok, but when i go to create a new Transoform, and then select "shortcut" for example, it just sits there and do nothing. If i click Files, it seems to be ok, but "shortcut", "preference", and there was something else... they just sit there and do nothing. Know anything about this?
Jim,
I will give the registration a try.
Also, we use SMS to deploy the software.
Our version5 of the reader was packaged using WISE. I noticed when uninstalling this, it breaks Writer5 and 6, and also probably other Adobe products... SIGH!!
This is becoming a pain now!!
Dave
Posted by:
cdupuis
20 years ago
I suggest that if you are having problems you should use a "clean" workstation, this should solve the problems. Other than that, I am stumped, try this, there may be a software conflict on your system that is preventing Tuner from working properly.
Posted by:
kory
20 years ago
Guys
Have you tried this?
Install your Adobe Reader6 package with your custom MST.
Then, fire up IE as a first thing, and find a site that has a PDF doc to launch.
Ensure the Adobe Reader is launched within IE, not externally.
Now, close IE.
Check if "acrord32.exe" process is still running? Not sure if this is a bug, but this is one issue i am having. It only happens if you do this via IE.
Now fireup your Adobe Reader 6 from desktop shortcut. This should populate your Current User reg keys, which you may have included in your MST.
Close, the reader.
Check your registry to see if in fact all the custom reg keys have been populated.
(This is the problem for me. Not all the custom keys are populated. If i relaunch the reader from shortcut again, it is then ok).
The only way around this for me is to stick with this, or dont apply any custom reg keys. Just accept the default.
Dave
Have you tried this?
Install your Adobe Reader6 package with your custom MST.
Then, fire up IE as a first thing, and find a site that has a PDF doc to launch.
Ensure the Adobe Reader is launched within IE, not externally.
Now, close IE.
Check if "acrord32.exe" process is still running? Not sure if this is a bug, but this is one issue i am having. It only happens if you do this via IE.
Now fireup your Adobe Reader 6 from desktop shortcut. This should populate your Current User reg keys, which you may have included in your MST.
Close, the reader.
Check your registry to see if in fact all the custom reg keys have been populated.
(This is the problem for me. Not all the custom keys are populated. If i relaunch the reader from shortcut again, it is then ok).
The only way around this for me is to stick with this, or dont apply any custom reg keys. Just accept the default.
Dave
Posted by:
MSIMaker
20 years ago
InstallTuner only works properly when you have your language settings on English US.
I just hate Installshield more and more each day.
I just hate Installshield more and more each day.
Posted by:
kory
20 years ago
Jim
Your the man!! How did you find out about the US English part?
Anyway... it was a great disappointment, when i got into the InstallShielf Tuner.. there is nothing worth in there changing. I might as well, create a new MST with WISE Package Studio, and implement registry changes, which has been published on this forum.
Thanks
Dave
Your the man!! How did you find out about the US English part?
Anyway... it was a great disappointment, when i got into the InstallShielf Tuner.. there is nothing worth in there changing. I might as well, create a new MST with WISE Package Studio, and implement registry changes, which has been published on this forum.
Thanks
Dave
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