A different thought for you. Last year I went through a paid support request with Microsoft about merge modules, deploying VC++ libraries etc. Microsoft is STRONGLY recommending NOT using MSM for VC++ libraries (and perhaps for anything). When I told them that I did not want to create a setup.exe and run the standalone install of the VC++ libraries, they told me to decompile the VC++ merge module with Melt (I think that is the decompiler) and include that in my install. The support person actually recommended that I use WiX for the install.
Well, let us say, that I got decompile and include as a side by side install to work, but it is MUCH more difficult than it should be. I only did it for one level. I have decided to simply release the VC++ library dlls as private assemblies with my products. Disk space is cheap. No merge modules. No setup.exe. I simply grab the version of the libraries that I need from my WINSXS directory and create components for them. Do not forget to include the correct manifest file. I have even built WixLibs for each version so that I can include the version required for a particular product as needed. If appears that that Microsoft is in the process of deprecating merge modules. They have broken and deprecated deployment projects in VS 2010. The "free" install shield product will neither create nor consume merge modules. So, my recommendation to you is to do as I outlined or go with BURN/Setup.exe and let the VC++ library be a prerequisite installed by the bootstrapper. I realize this is not the answer to your question, but I hope you find it useful food for thought. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Roy Chastain ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get a FREE DOWNLOAD! and learn more about uberSVN rich system, user administration capabilities and model configuration. Take the hassle out of deploying and managing Subversion and the tools developers use with it. http://p.sf.net/sfu/wandisco-d2d-2 _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
