Installshield Run EXE then wait for completion before running another

Question

Hello,

I am using Installshield, and have had success in launching my exe install files (such as KLite) after all my files have transferred to their target destination.

My question is this:

I am currently able to launch all the install exe's necessary, but they all launch at the same time, which can be rather annoying and cluttering. I am using a "Custom Action" to launch each executable. I am trying different "In-Script Execution" properties to no avail. My "Return Processing" is set to Asynchronous(Waits for exit code), yet it still is giving me problems.

I'd like to have each one execute once the previous is completed.

Anyone have experience in this? It has to be possible...

Thanks, -Kyle

Answer 1

You want Sync not ASync. BTW, I don't reccomend EXE CA's except in the rarest of situations. Primarily because they are out of process with very limited ability to report back success and 0 ability to write back to the Windows Installer Log and have very unprofessional flashing of DOS CMD windows.

Always try to use C++ / C# custom actions instead.

Also be sure to read the following:

Integration Hurdles for EXE Custom Actions http://blogs.msdn.com/b/windows_installer_team/archive/2007/10/20/integration-hurdles-for-exe-custom-actions.aspx

If you must use an EXE be sure to use something like WiX QuiteCA ( you can wrap this up into a WiX merge module and consume it with your InstallShield Basic MSI project ) to help shield you from these problems and get improved logging.