other/3614: Install program fails to locate java executable (%java_exe%)

[Noah Mapstead <no...@peacekeeper.com>]

>Number:         3614
>Category:       other
>Synopsis:       Install program fails to locate java executable (%java_exe%)
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    apache
>State:          open
>Class:          sw-bug
>Submitter-Id:   apache
>Arrival-Date:   Thu Dec 31 15:40:00 PST 1998
>Last-Modified:
>Originator:     noah@peacekeeper.com
>Organization:
apache
>Release:        NT 1.3.3 jserv1.0b1
>Environment:
Tested on 2 intel machines NT4.0 SP4 and NT4.0 SP3 with multiple different versions of Sun's JDK1.x and JRE1.x
>Description:
Following is an email I sent to MindVision makers of the install program VISE and their response.

Initial EMail
=============
-----Original Message-----
From:   Noah Mapstead [mailto:noah@peacekeeper.com]
Sent:   Thursday, December 31, 1998 1:45 PM
To:     winsupport@mindvision.com
Subject:        Question

Hello,

I know that you are not the manufacture or support provider for
installation packages created with your software.  I am also not the
builder of this installation.

However I am trying to install Apache's JServ module (
http://java.apache.org/jserv/dist/Apache_JServ_1.0b1.exe ) and the
hangup looks like it might be something on your end.  During the final
phases of the installation after the files are copied, the installer
attempts to locate the java runtime files.  It does a search on the hard
drive.  You have the option of clicking cancel (or waiting for the
search to complete) at which time you can select the file yourself if it
has not been found.  The text says "Setup could not locate the Java
runtime interpreter %java_exe%.  Please indicate the path where it is
located."  From my experience %java_exe% looks like a environment
variable.  However no matter where I define %java_exe% it doesn't work.
I've tried it on two machines so far (NT 4.0 SP4, NT 4.0 SP3).  I have
been defining java_exe in the system and user areas under Control
Panel|System|Environment.  I have rebooted numerous times and installed
various different JDK's/JRE's.

In addition there is no way to break out of the installation once it
gets to the searching point.  If I click cancel it wants me to select
the file myself...If it doesn't find the file in the path specified, it
starts searching again, looping over and over.

If you feel this is a problem with the Apache JServ installation, I will
talk to them.

Thanks
-Noah

=========
Response
=========
I would suggest checking with the makers of the Apache J Serv ,module.

You can download Installer VISE - at www.mindvision.com.

You are correct that %java_exe% looks like an environment variable. It is
however a variable internal to the installer. You can not specify the value
of %java_exe% through the registry or the Autoexec.bat.

>How-To-Repeat:

>Fix:
Possibly allow the user to select the java executable directly because it could be java.exe or jre.exe
>Audit-Trail:
>Unformatted:
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>From what you describe it sounds as though the installer searches for a
file. The Find location assigns the variable java_exe the value of the path.
That is then used as an install location.

I cannot help you because -

I don't  know if the files that are installed based off of the find are
needed (there may be other events that are triggered based on the success or
failure of the find action).


Thanks for your response and let me know if I can help in any other way.

Mike