Installshield Error message - Can't resolve 1

[keepingbusy]

Hi All

Having almost succesfully created my first setup using VFP9 and InstallShield Version 5 (That came with VFP9) I've come up against this error:

Error 1324. The path ***IS_STRING_NOT_DEFINED*** contains an invalid character.

I found this link which explains what the error means but I am unable to resolve the issue.

http://consumer.installshield.com/kb.asp?id=Q108470

Can anyone please suggest what the problem is?

Many thanks
Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Olaf Doschke]

Hi Lee,

did you get that problem reported by someone else or did *you* encounter the problem in a test installation?

Well, the link explains, what a user using the setup must do to make a setup work. Not what you can do to change/fix your setup.

If either of those two fixes work, your setup was not the cause of the problem, but a false profile name or CD driver.

How and where did you define will your application and data be installed by the setup?

Did you use the latest version of the Installshield Express (ISX)? There should be an internet update option within ISX and I think there is an update available for the version, that came with VFP9, because of a gdiplus.dll security fix.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Olaf

did you get that problem reported by someone else or did *you* encounter the problem in a test installation?

I encountered the problem when I ran the test installation

Well, the link explains, what a user using the setup must do to make a setup work. Not what you can do to change/fix your setup.

I agree, I'm looking for the answer to the solution

If either of those two fixes work, your setup was not the cause of the problem, but a false profile name or CD driver.

How and where did you define will your application and data be installed by the setup?

Please could you explain this?

Did you use the latest version of the Installshield Express (ISX)? There should be an internet update option within ISX and I think there is an update available for the version, that came with VFP9, because of a gdiplus.dll security fix.

I'm using the version that came with VFP9 and at the moment, the server for updates is not available (probably busy, I'll try again later)

Hope that answers your questions

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Olaf Doschke]

>>How and where did you define will your application and data be installed by the setup?

>Please could you explain this?

There must be some installation path you define within ISX. I thought maybe if you misconfigured that, this could result in the error.

ISE asks you for a company name and product name and sets the default installation directory (INSTALLDIR) to:

[ProgramFilesFolder]Your Company Name\Your Product Name

Perhaps you misconfigured other folders like DATABASEDIR?

If you have an unallowed character within these or didn't define the INSTALLDIR at all, it might cause the same error 1324.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Olaf

I'll look into your suggestion. Since posting I created another set up and when I tested that it worked without the error message. However, there is only one file in the destination folder (setup.exe) so I'm thinking here, it's something I'm doing. Prior to that (and with the error) there were multiple files for distribution.

Thank you for your time and I'll post back soon.

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Olaf Doschke]

ISX (or ISE) just creating one setup.exe is normal. So perhaps in your first try the porcess of creating the setup.exe failed and left several files...

the question you might not answer easily is "What did you do in another way the second time?".

Bye, Olaf.

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Olaf

the question you might not answer easily is "What did you do in another way the second time?".

Yes, that is difficult. The honest answer is I'm not sure. I just went through the process and it seemed to work.

Thank you for your time and I'll post back soon.

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi

As a follow up to this post I now seem to have resolved the original issue. However, here's another very frustrating one.

Firstly, I've followed all the instructions and looked at several walkthroughs such as: Walkthrough: Creating a Visual FoxPro Application Setup Program Using InstallShield Express found at

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnfoxgen7/html/vfpdeploy.asp

Here's my problem. When I get to the distribute your release stage I ask for the files to be sent to folder at c:\leesfolder

When I navigate to the folder and double click on the setup.exe it appears to install without a hitch (I also do a test run and that's ok). A desktop icon is created as a shortcut but this is when it goes wrong.

When you double click on this icon a message appears:

File 'c:\documents and settings\lee\desktop\dswun.dbf' does not exist

Seems to me that the shortcut is pointing in the wrong direction after set up.

In the INSTALLDIR I am asking for the path to be:

[ProgramFilesFolder]CustomSoftware\CS-SAMS

Here are my questions:
Why is it creating a short cut to the wrong path?
Why are there many sub folders within the distribution folder?
Which folder is the actual folder I use to start the setup.exe?

Sorry for the long post, but I'm sure that after much blood, sweat (and tears!), this minor glitch should soon be ironed out.

Look forward to any replies

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[DSummZZZ]

Why is it creating a short cut to the wrong path?

There are properties to set within ISE for the desktop icon.
Double check they are correct.
Mine were wrong when I used it.

Why are there many sub folders within the distribution folder?

I deleted the extras from the ISE project for my setup.

-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

http://www.davesummers.net/foxprolinks.htm

 

[keepingbusy]

Dave

Please could you explain:

There are properties to set within ISE for the desktop icon. Double check they are correct. Mine were wrong when I used it.

In the settings I have the Target shown as:

[INSTALLDIR]myexefile.exe

Many thanks

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[DSummZZZ]

Do you also have 'Working Directory' set to [INSTALLDIR]?

According to your prior post, your app is looking for File 'c:\documents and settings\lee\desktop\dswun.dbf', which would indicate it is trying to run in the 'desktop' folder rather than the actual installation folder.


-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

http://www.davesummers.net/foxprolinks.htm

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Dave

This could well be the problem. Can you tell me where to find the working directory setting so I can set it as you suggest?

Sorry about this, but I'm new to InstallShield having upgraded from Fox 6 to Fox 9 which as you know, Fox 6 only had the setup wizard!

Many thanks

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Dave

I managed to find out what the problem was, and as you explained previous (and I couldn't find) all that was required was the working directory to be set. This was achieved by selecting the "Configure the target system" then "Shortcut/Folders" then double clicking on working directory and selecting [INSTALLDIR]

Cant believe it was that simple, just a shame its not made a bit clearer as there is no drop down box until you double click working directory!

For anyone who is interested, there it is....!

(Thanks again Dave)

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[DSummZZZ]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Been rather busy this week.
I'm glad you found it though.

And yes, there are a few confusing things in there that take a little getting used to.
The biggest mistake I made when using the version of ISE which comes with VFP9 was using ISE's wizard to try and make an install. I finally deleted it and redid it manually. It didn't take that much longer and I am now more familiar with it.


-Dave Summers-

Even more Fox stuff at:

http://www.davesummers.net/foxprolinks.htm

 

[keepingbusy]

Hi Dave

The biggest mistake I made when using the version of ISE which comes with VFP9 was using ISE's wizard to try and make an install

Same here. I tried that but now I've found out what the problem was, I'm able to "refine" the set up.

Thanks again

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[JRB-Bldr]

You might want to look at thread184-1166040

In that posting we discuss alternative Installation utilities which you might want to look at.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr

 

[keepingbusy]

JRB-Bldr

Thank you for your post

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk