Installing application

[Dodge]

:) Hi there,

I am using AutoPlay Media Studio 4 to create a "setup CD" for a system at work, and the front end is working quite well.

Just a little question for the experts out there:

My application can be installed using the autorun program built by AutoPlay Media Studio, but how would I be able to check the user's PC to see whether the application is already installed (i.e. by a previous execution of the autorun program)?

I can see that using the Control Structure is most helpful, and can affect the way things happen. To this end, if the autorun program could see whether an application was installed then it could either show an option to install it or an option to run it.

Any advice or solution will be gratefully received.

[JimS]

I think the most common way people do this is to create a registry key when the program gets installed. Set it up so that your project looks to see if the registry key exists before setup, if the key is already there, it knows that the program has already been installed, if not, it knows it’s OK to install.

Alternately you can do the same type of thing, except use an .INI file. When the program is installed, it copies an INI file to a specific spot, like %SysDir% Before install starts, it looks to see if that INI file is present, that would mean the program is already installed.

I think either way will work for you. For more info on setting registry keys, check out the AMS help file. Search for “Expiring 30 days after running the first time”, it’s a step by step example that should show you everything you need.

[Dodge]

Hi JimS,

Thanks very much for the advice. You are quite right; either of these suggestions would work. I think I'll use the .INI method (I'm using Visual Studio Installer to create the installation program for my application).

Regards,
Dodge

[JimS]

Glad to help. I’ve used both methods, but tend to prefer the INI method myself. I generally keep lots of info in my INI file, and when I’m in the process of testing and retesting, I find it easier to edit a single file rather than work with several registry keys. But that’s just me, both methods do work, so a person should probably go with what works best for them. Good luck on your project.

Just noticed it's your Bday. Let me be the first one on this side of the Pond to wish you a very happy Birthday! Mine is still a week away.