Cannot uninstall Windows Service using MSI where ServiceName may be changed
Hello
I have created a Windows Service using vb in VS 2008 where I need to have multiple versions of the service running at the same time (refer attachment). This is optional.
I have changed the Installer to accept optional Context.Parameters for the Service Name and Display Name. If I use the command line installutil to install/uninstall everything works perfectly (e.g. installutil /NAME=myService /DISPLAYNAME="my Service" myService.exe).
I have also added a Setup Project as for some customers they won't need to have multiple instances and they aren't computer savvy so command lines are a bit too much for them. There are default values in the ProjectInstaller so that when running the MSI it uses the default parameters.
The problem occus if I try and uninstall via the MSI. The Service is uninstalled but I get the first error (below). Any further attempts to install via the MSI are met with 'Preparing to remove', the same error, then the Repair/Remove screen, then the second error below. The only way to run a clean install again is to delete the Registry Entry for the MSI in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installe
I can use the installutil /u to successfully uninstall the service without specifying a NAME parameter (after using the MSI to install).
It appears that the problem is in the uninstall where no Context.Parameters are provided.
Can anyone help??
Regards
James
I have created a Windows Service using vb in VS 2008 where I need to have multiple versions of the service running at the same time (refer attachment). This is optional.
I have changed the Installer to accept optional Context.Parameters for the Service Name and Display Name. If I use the command line installutil to install/uninstall everything works perfectly (e.g. installutil /NAME=myService /DISPLAYNAME="my Service" myService.exe).
I have also added a Setup Project as for some customers they won't need to have multiple instances and they aren't computer savvy so command lines are a bit too much for them. There are default values in the ProjectInstaller so that when running the MSI it uses the default parameters.
The problem occus if I try and uninstall via the MSI. The Service is uninstalled but I get the first error (below). Any further attempts to install via the MSI are met with 'Preparing to remove', the same error, then the Repair/Remove screen, then the second error below. The only way to run a clean install again is to delete the Registry Entry for the MSI in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installe
I can use the installutil /u to successfully uninstall the service without specifying a NAME parameter (after using the MSI to install).
It appears that the problem is in the uninstall where no Context.Parameters are provided.
Can anyone help??
Regards
James
First error:
Error 1001. An exception occured while uninstalling. This exception will be ignored and the uninstall will continue.
However, the application might not be fully uninstalled after the uninstall is complete.
-> Service name contains invalid characters, is empty, or is too long (max lenght = 80).
Second error:
Error 1001. An exception occured while uninstalling. This exception will be ignored and the uninstall will continue.
However, the application might not be fully uninstalled after the uninstall is complete.
-> The specified service does not exist as an installed service.
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Regards
James