Installer class apparently not being called

Question

I'm following this tutorial for customizing a web setup project. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa289522%28VS.71%29.aspx However, I'm working with a web application I already have in visual studio. So part of their solution is to create an installer class in my own web project. When i choose "add new item" I actually don't see the "Installer Class" option in the dialog.
So, I added my own class, referenced "System.Configuration.Install" and extended the .net installer class. My problem is, in the web setup project, my own installer, which, per the instructions in the link above, should actually be invoked, is not being invoked.

Any ideas on what I'm doing incorrectly?

Answer 1

You need to have a RunInstaller(true) attribute on the installer, and the .NET installer needs to be triggered as part of the install process, either by a custom installer step in your vdproj installer (see the Custom Actions tab), or by using installutil.

One quick and dirty sanity check is to add a MessageBox to your installer to see if its running (getting logging working correctly is worth understanding though or you're also asking for a world of pain)