Hi Phil, I'll have to look into MsiSetExternalUI() some more. It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.
What I meant about the message box in my previous message was just what I read on MSDN about MsiProcessMessage(): "To display a message box with push buttons or icons, use OR-operators to add INSTALLMESSAGE_ERROR, INSTALLMESSAGE_WARNING, or INSTALLMESSAGE_USER to the standard message box styles used by the *MessageBox*<http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms645505%28v=vs.85%29.aspx>and *MessageBoxEx*<http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms645507%28v=vs.85%29.aspx>functions" That is, it sounded like I had no way of overriding the default handling of the message and MSI would just show a standard error dialog. If I am indeed able to set an external UI handler and I can prevent these messages from reaching the default handler, I think I should be good to go. Cheers, Soren On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 1:55 PM, Phil Wilson <phildgwil...@gmail.com> wrote: > MsiProcessMessage (and I assume also the managed WiX equivalent > session.message) is more versatile than just error messages. It will > show information messages, let you manage the progress bar from a CA, > write your own logging into the MSI log etc. You will never see any > strange messageboxes popping up from the MSI if the install is silent > and you use MsiProcessMessage in your CAs. You maybe assuming it's > just a dumb messagebox function, but it's not. > > I don't know what your custom bootstrapper does exactly, but if it's > based on the standard Windows Installer callback for providing your > own UI in response to installer activity based on this: > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/bb309215(v=vs.85).aspx > > then you are providing UI for all installer activity and can show > whatever you want, but you are still responding to MsiProcessMessage > calls from the MSI CA. Your external UI handler code will see the > results of MsiProcessMessage calls as installer records that will be > the equivalent of INSTALLMESSAGE_FATALEXIT or INSTALLMESSAGE_WARNING, > just to pick two examples. Then you display them using your own UI. > The same is true for FilesInUse records - you'll see one and you'll > provide the UI messagebox and return one of the legal responses to the > install engine. > > So in summary, MsiProcessMessage is always the way to send messages > out from a CA to whatever UI is handling them, whether it's the MSI > file's UI or your own UI set up by using MsiSetExternalUIRecord. I'm > not familiar enough with the WIX bootstrapper UI to know for a fact > that it does the MsiSetExternalRecordUI thing. > --------------- > Phil Wilson > > > On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 11:09 AM, Soren Dreijer > <dreijer+l...@echobit.net> wrote: > > Hi Phil, > > > > Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I've been able to tell with > > MsiProcessMessage() it doesn't just send a message to the installer; it > > actually causes an error dialog to be shown (if you set the error > > property). What I would *really* want to achieve here is to catch that > > message in my bootstrapper and handle the error myself. After all, I've > > built a custom installer UI and I don't want weird message boxes popping > > up. :) > > > > Cheers, > > Soren > > > > > > On Mon, May 12, 2014 at 10:42 AM, Phil Wilson <phildgwil...@gmail.com > >wrote: > > > >> I think the difficulty here is that you have a design pattern that > >> requires a property to be set by a deferred custom action so you can > >> show a custom dialog. However perhaps the more usual approach is to > >> simply use Session.message in your CA (or call the underlying > >> MsiProcessMessage) to display an error message, and this automatically > >> won't show during a silent install, and there are variations that will > >> show a canned message from the Error table. Custom dialogs aren't > >> usually shown because there's some integration between > >> MsiProcessMessage and the rest of the install that doesn't really work > >> if you substitute a custom dialog. For better or worse it's what > >> people use to report errors from deferred CAs, add them into the MSI > >> log etc. > >> --------------- > >> Phil Wilson > >> > >> > >> On Mon, May 12, 2014 at 8:57 AM, Soren Dreijer < > dreijer+l...@echobit.net> > >> wrote: > >> > Hey guys, > >> > > >> > So, I don't think I understand how this helps me. Like John pointed > out, > >> I > >> > cannot set properties in deferred custom actions, so I'm still at a > loss > >> as > >> > to how I can communicate error values/messages back to the installer > UI > >> so > >> > I can show a sensible error message. > >> > > >> > > >> > On Fri, May 9, 2014 at 1:00 PM, Steven Ogilvie < > steven.ogil...@titus.com > >> >wrote: > >> > > >> >> Classification: Public > >> >> I would love to see your code for that :) " Particularly if the user > is > >> >> going to see It, I try to give a message appropriate to the context > >> with a > >> >> "Details" button that displays the stack trace." > >> >> > >> >> -----Original Message----- > >> >> From: John Cooper [mailto:jocoo...@jackhenry.com] > >> >> Sent: May-09-14 3:51 PM > >> >> To: General discussion about the WiX toolset. > >> >> Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Displaying custom error messages if > deferred CA > >> >> fails [P] > >> >> > >> >> In general, this works well for Immediate custom actions (my custom > >> >> actions follow a similar pattern). > >> >> > >> >> However, for deferred actions, you're not going to be able to set (or > >> get) > >> >> properties. That being said, logging still generally works. The > >> caveat is > >> >> that custom actions hooked to DoAction in the UI aren't going to log > >> very > >> >> much. But I work hard to NOT put any deferred actions in my UI. I > also > >> >> try to make my deferred actions as simple and as short as I can > manage. > >> >> > >> >> The quality of log messages is up to you. I prefer NOT to dump the > >> >> exception stack trace in a dialog or log message unless I absolutely > >> have > >> >> to. Particularly if the user is going to see It, I try to give a > >> message > >> >> appropriate to the context with a "Details" button that displays the > >> stack > >> >> trace. > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> John Merryweather Cooper > >> >> Build & Install Engineer - ESA > >> >> Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® > >> >> Shawnee Mission, KS 66227 > >> >> Office: 913-341-3434 x791011 > >> >> jocoo...@jackhenry.com > >> >> www.jackhenry.com > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> -----Original Message----- > >> >> From: Steven Ogilvie [mailto:steven.ogil...@titus.com] > >> >> Sent: Friday, May 9, 2014 2:27 PM > >> >> To: General discussion about the WiX toolset. > >> >> Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Displaying custom error messages if > deferred CA > >> >> fails [P] > >> >> > >> >> Classification: Public > >> >> 1. Have a MSI property set up that is empty If the custom action has > an > >> >> error populate the MSI property Display the error via a custom error > >> dialog > >> >> if the property is not empty? > >> >> > >> >> 2. Display the custom action error message in the Custom Action > itself > >> (as > >> >> long as the MSI is not running silently) > >> >> i.e.: > >> >> [CustomAction] > >> >> Public static ActionResult BackupMyDatabase(Session session) { > >> >> Try > >> >> { > >> >> If (session == null} > >> >> { > >> >> Throw new ArgumentNullException("session"); > >> >> } > >> >> > >> >> // code to backup db > >> >> > >> >> } > >> >> catch (Exception ex) > >> >> { > >> >> if (session != null) > >> >> { > >> >> session.Log("BackupMyDatabase failed: "); > >> >> if (ex != null) > >> >> { > >> >> session.Log("Exception:"); > >> >> session.Log(ex.Message); > >> >> } > >> >> > >> >> session.Message( > >> >> InstallMessage.User + (int)MessageBoxIcon.Error > >> >> + (int)MessageBoxButtons.OK, > >> >> new Record { FormatString = "Setup could not back up > the > >> >> database: \nException: " + ex.Message }); > >> >> } > >> >> > >> >> return ActionResult.Failure; > >> >> } > >> >> > >> >> if (session != null) > >> >> { > >> >> Session.Log("BackupMyDatabase succeeded..."); > >> >> } > >> >> > >> >> return ActionResult.Success; > >> >> } > >> >> > >> >> -----Original Message----- > >> >> From: Soren Dreijer [mailto:dreijer+l...@echobit.net] > >> >> Sent: May-09-14 2:48 PM > >> >> To: General discussion for Windows Installer XML toolset. > >> >> Subject: [WiX-users] Displaying custom error messages if deferred CA > >> fails > >> >> > >> >> Hi all, > >> >> > >> >> I've Googled and searched the WiX mailing list, but I haven't been > able > >> to > >> >> figure this one out yet. > >> >> > >> >> One of the biggest problems I've always had with MSIs is that they > >> rarely > >> >> return useful error messages. I'm using a custom bootstrapper and I'd > >> like > >> >> to display a custom error message if one of my deferred CA's fail. > >> >> > >> >> Since deferred CA's are pretty limited, I don't know how to pass an > >> error > >> >> value or message back to the installer from the CA that I can then > use > >> to > >> >> display the proper error UI. > >> >> > >> >> What's the suggested approach? (I hope there's something better than > >> >> setting a registry value.) > >> >> > >> >> Cheers, > >> >> Soren > >> >> > >> >> > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> >> Is your legacy SCM system holding you back? Join Perforce May 7 to > find > >> >> out: > >> >> • 3 signs your SCM is hindering your productivity • > >> Requirements > >> >> for releasing software faster • Expert tips and advice for > >> migrating > >> >> your SCM now > >> > http://p.sf.net/sfu/perforce_______________________________________________ > >> >> WiX-users mailing list > >> >> WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> This message has been marked as Public by Steven Ogilvie on May-09-14 > >> >> 3:27:03 PM. > >> >> > >> >> The above classification labels were added to the message by TITUS > >> Message > >> >> Classification. For more information visit www.titus.com. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> >> Is your legacy SCM system holding you back? Join Perforce May 7 to > find > >> >> out: > >> >> • 3 signs your SCM is hindering your productivity • > >> Requirements > >> >> for releasing software faster • Expert tips and advice for > >> migrating > >> >> your SCM now > >> > http://p.sf.net/sfu/perforce_______________________________________________ > >> >> WiX-users mailing list > >> >> WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > >> >> NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with > it > >> are > >> >> intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is > >> addressed. > >> >> The message, together with any attachment, may contain confidential > >> and/or > >> >> privileged information. > >> >> Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure > or > >> >> distribution is strictly prohibited. If you have received this > message > >> in > >> >> error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete > >> all > >> >> copies. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> >> Is your legacy SCM system holding you back? Join Perforce May 7 to > find > >> >> out: > >> >> • 3 signs your SCM is hindering your productivity • > >> Requirements > >> >> for releasing software faster • Expert tips and advice for > >> migrating > >> >> your SCM now > >> > http://p.sf.net/sfu/perforce_______________________________________________ > >> >> WiX-users mailing list > >> >> WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> This message has been marked as Public by Steven Ogilvie on May-09-14 > >> >> 4:00:16 PM. > >> >> > >> >> The above classification labels were added to the message by TITUS > >> Message > >> >> Classification. > >> >> For more information visit www.titus.com. > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> >> Is your legacy SCM system holding you back? Join Perforce May 7 to > find > >> >> out: > >> >> • 3 signs your SCM is hindering your productivity > >> >> • Requirements for releasing software faster > >> >> • Expert tips and advice for migrating your SCM now > >> >> http://p.sf.net/sfu/perforce > >> >> _______________________________________________ > >> >> WiX-users mailing list > >> >> WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > >> >> > >> > > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> > "Accelerate Dev Cycles with Automated Cross-Browser Testing - For FREE > >> > Instantly run your Selenium tests across 300+ browser/OS combos. > >> > Get unparalleled scalability from the best Selenium testing platform > >> available > >> > Simple to use. Nothing to install. Get started now for free." > >> > http://p.sf.net/sfu/SauceLabs > >> > _______________________________________________ > >> > WiX-users mailing list > >> > WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > >> > >> > >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >> "Accelerate Dev Cycles with Automated Cross-Browser Testing - For FREE > >> Instantly run your Selenium tests across 300+ browser/OS combos. > >> Get unparalleled scalability from the best Selenium testing platform > >> available > >> Simple to use. Nothing to install. Get started now for free." > >> http://p.sf.net/sfu/SauceLabs > >> _______________________________________________ > >> WiX-users mailing list > >> WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > >> > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > "Accelerate Dev Cycles with Automated Cross-Browser Testing - For FREE > > Instantly run your Selenium tests across 300+ browser/OS combos. > > Get unparalleled scalability from the best Selenium testing platform > available > > Simple to use. Nothing to install. Get started now for free." > > http://p.sf.net/sfu/SauceLabs > > _______________________________________________ > > WiX-users mailing list > > WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > "Accelerate Dev Cycles with Automated Cross-Browser Testing - For FREE > Instantly run your Selenium tests across 300+ browser/OS combos. > Get unparalleled scalability from the best Selenium testing platform > available > Simple to use. Nothing to install. Get started now for free." > http://p.sf.net/sfu/SauceLabs > _______________________________________________ > WiX-users mailing list > WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Accelerate Dev Cycles with Automated Cross-Browser Testing - For FREE Instantly run your Selenium tests across 300+ browser/OS combos. Get unparalleled scalability from the best Selenium testing platform available Simple to use. Nothing to install. Get started now for free." http://p.sf.net/sfu/SauceLabs _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
