Deploying a Windows Service

[kavsagol]

I wrote a Windows service in VB.NET using VS 2003. I added a deployment project for the service. I found out the service should be registered with IntallUtil and then started with NET START, so how do I make the setup program do it automatically? All it does it copy the files.

 

[moabiker31]

Windows services are installed differently than windows apps. An installer is added to the project rather than creating a deploy/setup project. Here's the link that helped me get through the same problem:

http://www.developerfusion.co.uk/show/3441/3/

 

[kavsagol]

This article shows how to install the service manually, not how to configure the installation project to register it ans start it automatically.

 

[moabiker31]

Maybe this will help. Sounds like you need to run command lines after the install is complete.

1) create a batch file with your commands, ie. the installUtil and NET Start commands - save as install.bat or any name you want. You might want to add "pause" (without quotes) to the end of your batch file to verify it has run.

2) create a visual basic script file (install.vbs) with the following code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
strPath = "C:\your path here\install.bat"
WshShell.Run("""" & strpath & """")
Set WshShell = Nothing

3) Right-click the setup project, click View -> Custom Actions
Right-click Commit, select Add
Double-click Application Folder
Click Add File
Browse to install.vbs and add it

4) Right-click the setup project, click Add -> File
Browse and add the batch file (install.bat)

When your setup/deployment exe is done it will call install.vbs which will run install.bat which will run your command lines.

Hope this does it.

 

[kavsagol]

This almost does it, since the user can change the location of the installed files. Can I get the installtion directory through a parameter in the vbs file? I also need to search for InstallUtil.exe, or maybe it would be wise to add it to the project and delete it after the vbs file has run?

 

[moabiker31]

To get the install directory try the following (haven't tested this so I can't guarantee it'll work):
Go to the Custom Actions
Set the CustomActionData property of the vbs file to [TARGETDIR]

Change your vbs file to look like:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
curDir = Session.Property("CustomActionData")
WshShell.Run("""" & curDir & "\install.bat" & """")
Set WshShell = Nothing

If the .net framework is required to be on the pc for the windows service to run, you could use it from the following paths:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.Net\framework\v1.1.4322\InstallUtil
C:\Windows\Microsoft.Net\framework\v2.0.50727\InstallUtil

Or your suggestion would work also by including it and then deleting it.

 

[AnonGod]

Here's the link I used -

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;EN-US;317421

-Andrew

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-TAG
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[kavsagol]

10x AnonGod, that's exactly what I need. Is there a way to start the service from the installer or should I add a vbs/exe file for this?