How to debug WiX installer

Question

I am adding to build to your WiX installer to include a multi-website deployment based on custom dialog selection.

I am running into this issue when i run in debug mode and not sure how to tackle the problem to find what the issue is, I am getting a Failed to load XML Error:

MSI (s) (D0:60) [10:25:14:945]: Executing op: ActionStart(Name=ExecXmlFile,,) Action 10:25:14: ExecXmlFile.

MSI (s) (D0:60) [10:25:14:960]: Executing op: CustomActionSchedule(Action=ExecXmlFile,ActionType=3073,Source=BinaryData,Target=ExecXmlFile,CustomActionData=20C:\Program Files\Company Name, Inc\18.4.007\Navigator\bin\hibernate.cfg.xml30//property[@name='connection.connection_string_name']Workbench_PROD2130/ + MORE SIMILAR STUFF

MSI (s) (D0:30) [10:25:14:976]: Invoking remote custom action. DLL: C:\Windows\Installer\MSI5E32.tmp, Entrypoint: ExecXmlFile

MSI (s) (D0:B0) [10:25:14:976]: Generating random cookie.

MSI (s) (D0:B0) [10:25:14:976]: Created Custom Action Server with PID 3980 (0xF8C).

MSI (s) (D0:8C) [10:25:15:163]: Running as a service.

MSI (s) (D0:8C) [10:25:15:163]: Hello, I'm your 32bit Elevated custom action server.

ExecXmlFile: Error 0x8007006e: failed to load XML file:

Does the xml file exist in the path that it's being referenced as? Inc\18.4.007\Navigator\bin\hibernate.cfg.xml — Cole W
Yes, it is. I am not too sure why making this change in my code made it work: I kept reading to use XmlConfig instead of XmlFile. code <util:XmlConfig Action="create" Id="SetWorkbenchNavEndpointProd" File="[#Navigator.Web.config]" On="install" Value="/[NAVIGATOR_ENDPOINT]" ElementPath="//frameEndpointConfig/frameEndpoints/add[\[]@name='Workbench_PROD'[\]]"/> — user1964485

gbjbaanb gbjbaanb · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-24T15:41:15

The only advice I can give you is to use Orca, which is a low-level tool for creating and editing MSI file. At least it will validate your msi and show you any errors or warnings it finds.

How to debug WiX installer

1 Answers