[WiX-users] Problems with CustomAction (Executing DX9 Setup)

[Anteru <An...@sh...>]

Hi,

I'm using wix-2.0.5805.0 to generate an installer for an application 
which uses the DirectX. So far, I have successfully embedded the DX9 
Redist files and they do get installed, however, I need to run the 
dsetup.exe binary at the end of the installation. I've tried various 
calls, ending up with:
<CustomAction Id='InstallDX9Redist' Directory='DXRedistDir' 
Impersonate='no' ExeCommand='[INSTALLDIR]DX9\dxsetup.exe' />

scheduled using

<InstallExecuteSequence>
<Custom Action='InstallDX9Redist' After='InstallFinalize'>NOT 
Installed</Custom>
</InstallExecuteSequence>

which always fails on Vista. I've written a small command-line 
application which prints the current working directory and the passed 
parameters, and if I replace dxsetup with it, I see that DXSetup is 
called in the right folder -- however, if I put in DXSetup, it fails 
with Error 1721.

The output of my program is:
Arg (0) : "C:\Program Files (x86)\Company\Test\DX9\dxsetup.exe"
Current working directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Company\Test\DX9

which is what I'd expect.

The MSI log output when running the real DXSetup is:
 >>--------------------------------------------------------------------
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:02:954]: Doing action: InstallDX9Redist
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:02:954]: Note: 1: 2205 2:  3: ActionText
Action start 15:33:02: InstallDX9Redist.
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:03:220]: Note: 1: 1721 2: InstallDX9Redist 3: 
C:\Program Files (x86)\Company\Test\DX9\ 4: C:\Program Files 
(x86)\Company\Test\DX9\dxsetup.exe
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:03:220]: Note: 1: 2205 2:  3: Error
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:03:220]: Note: 1: 2228 2:  3: Error 4: SELECT 
`Message` FROM `Error` WHERE `Error` = 1721
MSI (c) (18:CC) [15:33:03:392]: Font created.  Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, 
Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

Error 1721. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A 
program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact 
your support personnel or package vendor. Action: InstallDX9Redist, 
location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Company\Test\DX9\, command: C:\Program 
Files (x86)\Company\Test\DX9\dxsetup.exe
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:04:454]: Note: 1: 2205 2:  3: Error
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:04:454]: Note: 1: 2228 2:  3: Error 4: SELECT 
`Message` FROM `Error` WHERE `Error` = 1709
MSI (s) (C4:B8) [15:33:04:454]: Product: Test -- Error 1721. There is a 
problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this 
install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or 
package vendor. Action: InstallDX9Redist, location: C:\Program Files 
(x86)\Company\Test\DX9\, command: C:\Program Files 
(x86)\Company\Test\DX9\dxsetup.exe
<<--------------------------------------------------------------------

I searched the web for hints, which only pointed at the "impersonate" 
attribute, but setting it to yes or no does not help.

What am I doing wrong, and what is the recommended way to install such 
dependencies? I have no problem running a small Boot-Strapper to run the 
VC9 Installer & the DX9 installer first, but I'd like to have it all in 
a single package.

Thank you,
   Anteru

Side note:
The installer also merges the VC9 Runtime, just in case this matters. 
I'm using:
 >>--------------------------------------------------------------------
<Merge Id='CRT' Language='0' src='CRT\microsoft_vc90_crt_x86.msm' 
DiskId='3' />
<Merge Id='CRT Policy' Language='0' 
src='CRT\policy_9_0_Microsoft_VC90_CRT_x86.msm' DiskId='3' />

and

<Feature Id='F_CRT' Level='1' Title='C/C++ Runtime' Description='Visual 
C++ Runtime Libraries' TypicalDefault='install' Display='hidden'>
<MergeRef Id='CRT' />
<MergeRef Id='CRT Policy' />
</Feature>
<<--------------------------------------------------------------------