Tricking an installation program [solved]

David Crow

I've got an older program (the jewel case references a 486!) that I need to install on my Windows 7 machine (Windows 7 is not actually a requirement but it's the only machine I have). The program's installation (not an MSI file) pops up a message stating that the version of IE that I have is not new enough and would I like to install a newer version. one problem: I'm usng IE9. From what I can tell, the version of IE that is on the program's CD is either 5.5 or 6. Is there any way I can trick this program's installation into thinking that I have an older version of IE? Thanks. - DC [edit] Solved. The solution ended up taking less time than this post did, and no hacks involved. [/edit]

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modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

Corporal Agarn · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

MS has always been good at not allowing for newer versions than what is available at the time the installation software was written. P.S. You may get down voted for asking a programming question in the lounge. [edit]Notice I did not down vote[/edit]

modified on Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:52 AM

DaveAuld · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

Use sysinternals tools to track what registry keys and or files the installation process is accessing then temporarily edit or replace them. That might work..........(It used to with winzip to reset the nag screen many years ago :rolleyes: )

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realJSOP · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

You might be able to modify the installer itself if you can find the spot where it looks for the IE version. If it's a MSI file, you might be able to chantge it without much hassle.

".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

Ian Shlasko · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

If the above suggestions don't help, you might be able to bypass the installer entirely, depending on how complex the application is... For instance, 7Zip is great at extracting files from any kind of archive, including MSI installer files.

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Simon_Whale · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

If you have Windows 7 professional download the XP Compatibilty mode[^]

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Marc A Brown · modified on Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:52 AM

djj55 wrote:

P.S. You may get down voted for asking a programming question in the lounge.

But... but... but... it wasn't a programming question! Although some folks probably won't notice that before the downvoting begins. :-D

leppie · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

The Windows SDK comes with a tool called Orcas. You can disassemble the MSI, and modify the checks, and reassemble it. Missed the not an MSI part. Go with answer below. Odds are WinRAR can open it.

((λ (x) `(,x ',x)) '(λ (x) `(,x ',x)))

modified on Thursday, August 25, 2011 10:17 AM

realJSOP · modified on Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:52 AM

My WPF Performance thread looks more like a programming question than this one does, and it's already been 1-voted at least once. However, that 1-vote could also have been because I mentioned Reputationator (it seems like every time I mention that app, the post gets 1-voted by at least one platinum debator).

".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

Lost User · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

Since it is not an MSI file, check if the exe is an SFX archive. If yes, you should be able to extract the files using Winrar or Winzip. And then try installing the app manually with the extracted files.

Michael Bergman · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

Before messing around with the registry on your main machine, you might want to create a virtual machine (Virtual PC) and try to install it on that.

m.bergman

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Oakman

John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

by at least one platinum debator

probably this guy[^]

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Peter Mulholland

John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

every time I mention that app, the post gets 1-voted by at least one platinum debator

:laugh: Someone in the lounge doesn't like that you can actually produce software. That makes me laugh.

Pete

AspDotNetDev

Yeah, he downvotes ALL my stuff.

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John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

and it's already been 1-voted at least once.

But that's because of the evil JSOP stalker that always 1-votes you, it's just a matter of time before you get 1-voted here also. Unless you keep the Outlaw Programmer alter ego in the cage.

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neurobox

Michael Bergman wrote:

Before messing around with the registry on your main machine, you might want to create a virtual machine (Virtual PC) and try to install it on that.

That was my thought... if the installer is having that much trouble, you may come to have several issues with the software itself. If it uses embedded IE controls, it might depend on a certain interface being there which may or may not be in your system. VirtualPC is good, Virtualbox works and it's available for free. If you have an old Windows 2000 disk set, that might all take an afternoon to install but it's more likely to work out in the end.

SCCatman

That's a good idea, I have had trouble installing SQL after a demo version timed out. Also having trouble getting VB2008 to convert a vb6 program, probably because of where regestery entries went during an install on 64 bit Thanks

djdanlib 0 · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

Sounds like manually patching the code might be an option if you can't extract the installation files and DIY. "I have altered the installer. Pray that I do not alter it any further."

Fuzzychaos · modified on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:56 AM

I just had to do this yesterday. Check out the MS KB link and modify the registry or files as needed according to the IE version matrix[^]. In my case the installer checked for IE 5 for NT. With Procmon running, I only updated whatever registry keys where checked by the installer and then restored them once the installer completed the checks. It also worked to fix the check for an older version of a Windows Service Pack, an old Adobe Acrobat Reader and an old Java Runtime Environment. Jeremy

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