I've checked SQLExpress, .Net Framework, and Windows installer and checked "Download prereq from same location an as my application" and get several errors. Here is a sample:
Error 4 The install location for prerequisites has not been set to 'component vendor's web site' and the file 'DotNetFX\dotnetfx.exe' in item '.NET Framework 2.0' can not be located on disk. See Help for more information. TOPKPDFServer
What do I need to do to tell the publisher where to find the files on my machine
Publish Can't Find Redist Files
TheShiner
If you drop SQLEXPR32.exe into:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\SqlExpress\en
then it works just fine.
HTH
Ventmore
Joel West
Enoch! I cannot tell you how thankfull I am for the help I have received from your post. It has helped me over a huge hurdle. I was able to create an installable CD, Install it on my other development machine, as well as uninstall it. Thanks to all who posted and worked on this solution. It feels so good to know that I am not all alone.
Blessings
Gary
Ian Thomas 215
hi,
ok my friend i guess i understand now
the publish failed because it have to locate the source files in your project, when you download any software and install it somehow the program keep the path of the source file
this is not the case here because at least windows installer 3.1 that is demanded by sqlserver you can't download it and install it from your computer you get it by updating your windows and the source file will be removed from your computer
when you will be able to download the .msi files or .exe files and install it offline you can use this option
the best thing to do now is to set the download from the vedor site
hope it helps
givenscj
I've figured out the prompt "Specify Install location for prerequistes" choices are referring to where the files come from during the publish operation and not where they are supposed to come from when the end user runs the bootstrap, so I solved my problem simply by changing option away from "same as application".
I think that what you have taught me will work better in the long run because it will save me from having to download from the internet several large files.
Thanks,
Mike
Marcus Alt
I double checked the link above and I was still able to access the file. I don't know if this would be a locality issue, but it is true that the msi 2.0 installer is for windows me, 98 & 95 (NOT XP), but it can still be downloaded. I am assuming that it would only come into play for those who would use it on an older system (even though I don't think the Express versions will let you create software for the older windows platforms, but hey!)
Anyways, if you still need the file... let me know (enochgenesis@gmail.com) and I will email it to you.
Mike Carter MS
Ok, here it is. After much research I think I have found the solution. At this moment, it works for the following:
.Net 2.0 Framework
J# Redistributable
Windows Installer 3.1
At this moment I have not figured out the SQL 2005 Server Express becuase, while I have figured out the basics of the bootstrapper, I have not figured out the public key and the xml product.xml file enough yet to write the correct one. The others were already included, but this one was not.
For those who downloaded any of the express editions, you can find them on the CD images you downloaded under the "wcu" folder and its sub folders. What you will need to do is copy the correct files to the correct paths. Below is a list (sorry it is long, but necessary)
For the .Net 2.0 Framework:
copy the files:
dotnetfx.exe
WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe
to the folder (which is the default if you installed with default paths):
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\DotNetFX
* There is one other thing you will need and that is the instmsia.exe (msi 2.0 installer) which can be downloaded from:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx FamilyID=cebbacd8-c094-4255-b702-de3bb768148f&DisplayLang=en
For the MSI 3.1 installer:
copy the files:
WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe - The same file that you just copied to the
DotNetFX folder.
to the folder (again, the default path is given):
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\WindowsInstaller3_1
For the J# Redistributable:
copy the files:
vjredist.exe
to the folder:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\VJSharpRDP
For the SQL 2005 Express:
copy the files:
SQLEXPR32.EXE
to the folder:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages\SqlExpress\en
NOTE - At this moment it is good to copy the file, just to have it, but the product.xml file is not created specifically for this to be installed via CD/DVD so it will not work for CD/DVD publish at this moment. I am however working to solve this and would greatly appreciate any assistance on this matter.
Now, after you have done these steps you should be able to publish to a CD/DVD and choose the option to have the files "downloaded from the same location as application" without any errors unless using the SQL as a prerequisite.
At this moment, I will gladly make a selfextracting WinRAR file (secured and nonmodifiable) for anyone who might find the above too complicate, however, the package will be quite huge and it may be quicker to do this yourself from a CD/DVD file you downloaded. If you did not download the .ISO or .IMG files for the VS2005 Express editions you will have to find them from microsoft.com and download each of them prior to the instructions above.
I hope this helps everyone in the community. It took me several hours of searching in odd places to solve this. If, for any reason, you have any errors, let me know. If you are interested in this, contact me at my gmail account enochgenesis(at)gmail(dot)com. Please note that I use this as a substitute and public email account so I might take a while to respond. Also, while I don't believe that would be causing any probs with microsoft redistributables (me packaging them and giving them to you) if microsoft asks I will not do this and will remove this info from the post. I am not looking to cause any issues with microsoft... only trying to help the community.
Thanks!
================================================================
Just wanted to pass along an update. It was brought to my attention that there should be an "en" at the end of the SQL2005 Express path. I haven't tested this yet and I am still behind on trying to figure out the SQLExpress information for the ClickOnce Deployment bootstrapper. If you have any suggestions/ideas/comments, let me know.
thatdbme
Thanks for the update. I am editing it also into my post above.
-bi
I have also been having this same problem, so you are not alone. And I specifically understand what it is you are asking.
The biggest distiguishing mark of this entire conversation is: "How do I get my program to Publish to a CD or DVD rom and include ON THE CD/DVD the current Windows installer 3.1 and DOTNET 2.0" so that those who install my software "without an internet connection" or "a slow internet connection (dial-up)" won't have to download these/those prerequisites "
So, I understand the question in entirety because I have tried the same. In fact, if you follow these two articles from microsoft help for doing just that:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms172610.aspx
and
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms172611.aspx
and you follow the examples, you will get an error when you go to publish (at least when using the VB2005 Express). This may work correctly in VB2005, but in the express edition you get the error that has been stated above
Also, when you read up on it via the help/documentation offered by the debugger, you will get information regarding the scripting and the manifest files. I am looking to see if the issue may lie in there, and whether or not the files would have to be in a set, predetermined folder location. At this moment though, this is at least a quirk or small bug in VB2005 Express. According to the second article I linked, you should be ablee to do this exactly as stated and it will download and place the files into the folder where you are saving the publish so that they will be included on the CD/DVD when you burn from that directory.
I would suggest that if anyone from microsoft reads this, that they try it exactly as their own documentation shows it and see if they get the same thing. However, none of this becomes an issue at all if you are planning to distribute your software via the internet.
parlance
Mike,
I had the same problem. I downloaded the redist files I needed, but I couldn't figure out where to put them. I found another thread somewhere on this site that explained it.
Following the path that the errors are giving "DotNetFX\dotnetfx.exe" the root path is:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\Bootstrapper\Packages
That cleared it right up for me.
Cheers!
michaelp
Thanks for the reply Shakalama. I think I understand how it is supposed to work and how I could work around the problem. Let me try to state my situation more clearly:
When I attempt to publish using "install from CD-ROM" and "Download prerequisites from the same location as my application" I get errors stating that the files for SQLExpress, Windows Installer, and .Net framework can't be located. This means that either I have installed VB2005 wrong or there is a bug in VB2005. I really want to know if there is something I have to to after installing VB2005 to make these files available for the publish function.
Rob_Jeffrey
Thanks again for the reply.
I agree. I was reading something today about how you must download sqlserv32.exe and then run it to have it installed on your machine because if you just run it from Microsoft it creates temp files and folders and then gets rid of them when it is done. I think this is what you are suggesting that I do. I will give it a try tommorrow and let you know if it helps.
Thanks again,
MikeW
NOX2021
hi,
i'm not sure that i understood what you have said very well but i guess in your solution explorer when you right click on your project name and select properties and go to publish tab
you have options in install mode and setings
if you chose the application is available online only you have to provide the url for the site
if you chose offline as well you don't have to set the url
and you can also see the prerequest options there
if prerequersts cause trouble for you remove it for now and publish your application and test it localy first then start to try with publisher by adding other options and see till you get where is the problem
hope it was helpfull
Neal McFee
Thanks for the info Enoch. I watched my errors drop off as I applied the helpful tips of you and those who followed. I am almost there... The one file I was not able to find or obtain was the instmsia.exe or (msi 2.0 installer) I attempted the download path you provided by the site response was that the download file had been removed. I have been searching for it but do no see any references to it other than a similiarly named file that functions for win 95 98 ME etc. I am assuming that this file will not work with XP Pro. Do I have any options from here Thanks in advance.
Gary
dwaleke
I'm glad this has been of help. It was a challenge to figure out why they weren't included, but I'm glad I was able to figure this out.
Glad it has helped others.