That is why we encourage everyone to be very careful with component guids and when possible install to private locations.
If you have several products which share some common files, you don't need merge modules to achieve that. Just ensure that you author those common components once and share the resulting wixobj/wixlib files amongst all the products during linking. Derek -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave Williamson Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 12:14 PM To: 'Dave Williamson'; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'Eric Fesh'; wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Request for Advice regarding File Organisation I just setup a test scenario proving to myself what Rob was saying and now my mind is completely blown. A file will be deleted from disk and registration information orphaned when that file is installed by 2 different installers (in the same directory) using 2 different component GUIDs. I'll be at the funny farm for a bit. Sorry for the confusion Eric. Dave Williamson Clear Sky Software 704.568.5544 sales 704.554.6300 support 704.943.0585 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.clearskysoftware.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave Williamson Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 1:38 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'Eric Fesh'; wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Request for Advice regarding File Organisation Ok. I read the blog(s). If 2 unrelated installs install the same shared file (say comctl32.ocx) both the installs need to use the same GUID for the component that contains the comctl32.ocx file so that reference counting isn't thrown askew? And if that is the case then the comctl32.ocx author's merge module must be used by all parties so they keep the same GUID. WOW. That means any installation that I put together must use merge modules from the shared file authors. And in my little bit of experience in creating installers I have found that the merge modules have quirks and bugs that I can't wait on them to fix and must create my own merge module that installs the shared file. Correct me if I'm wrong (and please be wrong) ... because if I'm not then this isn't so much a technical decision as much a business decision ... the decision being do we use technology on which our productivity depends on the productivity of a 3rd party. Dave Williamson Clear Sky Software 704.568.5544 sales 704.554.6300 support 704.943.0585 fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.clearskysoftware.com -----Original Message----- From: Rob Mensching [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 1:10 PM To: 'Dave Williamson'; 'Eric Fesh'; wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: RE: [WiX-users] Request for Advice regarding File Organisation Importance: Low PS: It is for all these reasons that tallow does not generate GUIDs for you today. It is very, very difficult to do correctly in all cases. You may be able to create specialized solutions targeted for your needs... but a solution that works for everyone every time is a lot more involved (and, I believe, requires storing data in ways that are rather unnatural in a build environment). -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rob Mensching Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 10:03 AM To: 'Dave Williamson'; 'Eric Fesh'; wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Request for Advice regarding File Organisation It can be worse than that. If any of those Files are shared across different Products that can be installed on the user's machine, you can get into scenarios where the Files are incorrectly reference counted. I tried to capture much of the trickiness here: http://blogs.msdn.com/robmen/archive/2003/10/18/56497.aspx ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security? Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job easier Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache Geronimo http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security? Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job easier Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache Geronimo http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security? Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job easier Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache Geronimo http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users