Using a bootstrapper for .net 3.5 with WiX and Visual Studio 2010

0
votes

I am using Visual Studio 2010 to create a WiX project. I want to install .net 3.5 for my software and .net 4.0 for WiX. I used the bootstrappers available with VS2010. It worked for the 4.0 version, but I have problems with the 3.5 version. Here are some lines from my code :

<BootstrapperFile Include=".NETFramework,Version=v4.0" >
  <ProductName>.NET Framework 4.0</ProductName>
</BootstrapperFile>
<BootstrapperFile Include="Microsoft.Net.Framework.3.5.SP1" >
  <ProductName>.NET Framework 3.5 SP1</ProductName>
</BootstrapperFile>

<GenerateBootstrapper ApplicationFile="$(TargetFileName)"
                  ApplicationName="My Application Name"
                  BootstrapperItems="@(BootstrapperFile)"
                  ComponentsLocation="Relative"
                  CopyComponents="True"
                  OutputPath="$(OutputPath)"
                  Path="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bootstrapper\"/>

First I had the error :

The install location for prerequisites has not been set to ‘component vendor’s web site’ and the file ‘dotNetFx35setup.exe’ in item ‘Microsoft.Net.Framework.3.5.SP1’ cannot be located on disk.

I followed the instructions found here :

http://sebastienlachance.com/blog/the-install-location-for-prerequisites-has-not-been-set-to-component-vendors-web-site-and-the-file-dotnetfx35setupexe-in-item-microsoftnetframework35sp1-cannot-be-located-on-disk

But now I have a new warning :

Item 'Microsoft.Net.Framework.3.5.SP1' could not be located in 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bootstrapper\'.

I don’t understand what happens. I googled a lot and looked at similar questions, but didn’t find any precise answer… Does anybody have a solution, or is there another way to install prerequisites with WiX on VS2010 ?

Thanks !

2
.netvisual-studio-2010wix
I would reccomend targeting a single version of the .NET framework for your app and Wix custom actions so you only have to install a single framework package. Did you adjust the instructions for the SDK version 7.0A (replace any 6.0As from the instructions with 7.0A)? – heavyd
Yes I adjusted the instructions. Concerning the single version of .NET : I really need to install both since WiX and my app don't need the same version... If I only install the 4.0 version, my app, which needs 3.5, won't run, right ? – Alyra
That is correct, if your app targets 3.5, you need 3.5. Can you target your app to 4.0? – heavyd
No, I can't target the app to 4.0. In fact, I can't do anything on the app, I have to adapt the installer... – Alyra
Why do you need .NET 4.0 for Wix? Wix 3.5 does not require the .NET framework unless you have custom actions written in a .NET language. Also, can you include the <Product tag from C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bootstrapper\DotNETFX35SP1\product.xml? – heavyd

2 Answers

0
votes

On a 64-bit system, the value of the Path attribute of the GenerateBootstrapper XML element should start with C:\Program Files (x86)\. You are missing the (x86) part.

You can check the bitness of your OS by hitting win+pause and examining the "System type".

0
votes

You have set the path as

Path="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bootstrapper\"

it may need to be

Path="C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bootstrapper\Packages"

Navigate to that path and make sure the bootstrapper packages are in fact there. Specifically, you should have a folder named something like DotNetFX35SP1 and inside it should be a Product.xml file that has the same product code element that matches your Bootstrapper include item. So...

<BootstrapperFile Include="Microsoft.Net.Framework.3.5.SP1" >

should match

ProductCode="Microsoft.Net.Framework.3.5.SP1"