External Files

[tdexter]

My present installer will get files from 2 differant sources, from within the .EXE and or from the CD. Can we do the same? I have a folder on the CD that contains "How to Videos". If the customer is installing from the CD then they have the option to install the Videos. If the customer downloads the install from the Website then they do not have the video option. This helps to control the download size for customers and the testers do not need the extra bulk from the videos.

I tried using a Variable MyVar = [SourceDir]ProductName/Videos then making a Property [BLUE] = MyVar, and then placed [BLUE] in the files "Location Folder".
Also tried using the same Variable MyVar and then a Custom Action to Set a Property.

Neither situation would build.

[Lorne]

Add a raw media source (Project > Media) and then select that as the media source in the file properties.

[tdexter]

I tried your suggestion and got an error message when clicking OK.

"You cannot mix compressed (cabinet) and uncompressed (raw) media elements in one project. Make all of them the same type."

[Brett]

Yeah, I think that in this case you will need to make two installers. Some ideas are:

1 - Make one installer for the downloadable versions, and 1 for the CD version

2 - Make one installer for the core product and another for the CD content

If you do # 2 you could just have your CD menu run one installer and then the other.

[tdexter]

I figured out a way to accomplish my needs with one install. It took awhile to figure out so I thought I would pass it along. I am not much of an author so I apoligize up front. I am sure this will work for other situations also.

1.Add a folder to hold the Videos- remember the ID for later

2.In Project\Settings set up a Property - Property ID=VIDEO Value=1

3.To install the Videos I use a CheckBox. Brett added how to set up a CheckBox in the help files and its perfect.

4.Set up a Custom Action - Set Property
Settings
a. Property= VIDEOFOLDER- name this whatever you want
b. Value= [SourceDir]Videos\HowToVideos- this is the path on the CD
Attributes
a. ID= VIDEOCA- name this whatever you want
b. Scheduling= Immediate- Once per process
c. Return= Check
d. Timing= Sequence- InstallUISequence
Condition- VIDEO = "1" AND NOT Installed
Execute= Before- ExecuteAction

5. File Operations
Copy Files
External file
Property= VIDEOFOLDER
Filename= the name of your file
Destination= the FolderID you set up earlier
Remove Files
Browse= the FolderID
Filename= the name of the file
Timing= On Uninstall
(The copy and remove files needs to set for each video)

If the videos folder is not found at [SourceDir] then nothing happens with anything above. Again sorry if this is confusing.