Performing a minor update with Windows Installer 3.5

I hope someone can help me out with this. I am using the windows installer which comes with VS 2008 to deploy my software. My initial deployment went well and I have several happy customers now.

Unfortunately, one of my users found a bug. I have been able to locate and repair the issue- a simple math error in one of my forms. Now I need to deploy the repair to my existing customers without causing them too much headache in the update or, worse yet, inadvertantly deleting their stored database files.

I know I can have them back up their existing db file, reinstall thenew app, and replace the new db files with their backup versions- but what a pain in the neck that will be, and it really won't look too professional, either.

Does anyone know how to produce a patch to replace only the form that was repaired? Or, can I somehow exclude installing the new database files in the patch?

I know the solution revolves around the Upgrade Code and Product Code, but I'm not putting the information together in my head very well.

Any ideas?

You should better use Inno Setup. It's very simple.
The only thing you have to replace is the file or dll which has that problem.
if you have designed your app well, then it shouldn't overwrite your database and only the affected file.

Is it possible to switch to Inno Setup after the initial install was performed with MSI?

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Originally Posted by ssmith147

Is it possible to switch to Inno Setup after the initial install was performed with MSI?

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The MSI file format has nothing specifically to do with VS. It's just a Windows Installer package. MSI files can be created by VS, Inno, InstallShield, Wise and umpteen other programs.

That's good news. I've been researching Inno since posting and it seems fairly straightforward. However, I'm noticing something that it lacks with respect to using the VS IDE- it doesn't automaticaly compile all of the files and prerequisites that I need like the Windows Installer does.

I'm sure with a little time and practice I'll be able to overcome this- and I have time sinec the bug is not critical to the software's operation (a few more days won't hurt anyone, anyway). However, will one of those products perform these tasks for me automatically?

I believe that there's an Inno example in the VB.NET CodeBank.

Well I've been staring at Inno Setup for a few hours now and I'm surprised that I'm starting to understand what I'm looking at. Many of the examples I've found have been well commented which has helped significantly.

I have one question which I can't find the answer to, though. My program requires .NET 3.5 and SQL Server CE or it absolutely won't run. Is it possible to couple prerequisites with the installer? Or, at least, can I cancel the install if the prerequisites are not installed?