[2005 Express] Include .NET Framework in Setup

I have searched for this all over the internet. Many have similar problems yet nobody has offered a step-by-step solution.

I want to distribute an application to users who will not have access to the internet, so I need to distribute the .NET framework on the install CD.

I want it to be part of the setup routine. I don't want them to have to install it separately before the main application.

I have the dotnetfx.exe file. In the Publish tab of my project's properties, in the prerequisites, I have .NET Framework 2.0 as the only thing checked, and download from the same location as my application. I've put the file in ...Projects\OvenTimer and in ...Projects\OvenTimer\OvenTimer.

When I publish, I get errors on all 3 prerequisites, even though only 1 of 3 is selected. Also, it says the file not found is DotNetFX\dotnetfx.exe. I tried putting the file in this directory as well and it still can't find it.

What am I doing wrong? This has to be simple.

Yup, it is straight forward. You have set the prerequisite and select "framework to be download from the same location as my application". After that, just build the setup. After you build the setup, you can copy the setup files (including the prerequisite files) from the directory in the structure as per attachment.

I got that much of it figured out, but what exactly is the correct "same location as my application?" I tried:

...Projects\OvenTimer
...Projects\OvenTimer\OvenTimer
...Projects\OvenTimer\DotNetFX
...Projects\OvenTimer\OvenTimer\DotNetFX

but I still get "not found" errors.

From the look of your screenshots, do I need to put it in the debug directory? And why am I getting errors about the 2 prereqrisites that aren't even checked? (Windows Installer 3.1 and SQL Server 2005)

Greg

1. In your web browser, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=37283 and save the file to '<Visual Studio install directory>\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\DotNetFX'. An example of the VS install directory is 'C:\Program Files\Visual Studio 8'

2. Also save the files at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=37285 and http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=37287 to the same location, <Visual Studio install directory>\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\DotNetFX'.

3. To solve this same problem for SQL Server Express, then go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=3728 and save the file to '<Visual Studio install directory>\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\SqlExpress\en'

4. Then return to the prerequisites dialog and select 'Download prerequisites from the same location as my application.'

5. Publish

6. Look for the directory that you had previously specified to be published to. All the installation file will be there.

Cheers.

All of the prerequisites are working except for the SQL Server Express file.

In regards to the SQL Express file, the publish error shows that it is looking for "sqlexpr32.exe" however the link provided is for "sqlexpr.exe". I tried changing the filename and it still shows as missing. I also searched Microsoft's website for the sqlexpr32 file and it turns up nothing.

Greg