execute additional setup file after/before deployment project

hi all.

I'd like to execute an external setup application after or before my deployment project that i created in vs.net. The exe is another MSI package for some microsoft files that need to be installed to run my main vb.net project.

This is what I tried in the Custom Actions editor of my deployment project:
I tried adding a "Custom Action" in the "Custom Actions Editor" of the deployment project putting it in both the Commit folder and tried the Install folder with same results.

Upon starting the setup of the built deployment project, the program performs as intended, however, I can't run the exe because my setup if currently running and I get the message "Another program is being installed. Please wait until that installation is complete, and then try installing this software again." Is there anyway to execute the program after my intallation is done so that I can install the support files?

Being that you did not tell us who are unfamiliar with the picture you posted what installer you are using I can only assume it id PDW or a newer rendition of it.

PDW is infamous for being rigid. You could use Inno Setup and do those sorts of things with ease...

it's the builtin setup and deployment project template in vb.net available in vs.net2k5 running & using .Net 2.0

thanks

well, after many many hours of trying to figure out how to start a exe file at the end of installation, i've finally come across a quick, good, solid solution. Best yet, it's free and it's already installed on Windows.

It's called IExpress. Click Start, Click Run, then type in iexpress and you will be presented with a built-in windows tool to allow you to execute 2 different exe files on setup. This also fixes the problem where you have 2 setup files in a windows vb.net deployment project and you need to put them down to one single installation file.

After hours of searching best method, turns out i was able to get it done in literally seconds. Just chose my files I wanted to be packaged, chose which file to execute, then chose a file to execute after install. Walaa. Done.

Thank you for your time, hope this helps someone else.