How Do I Create an Undo File

[YIRMASTER]

I am creating an install exe that doesnt install an application but rather installs new levels/maps/mods for a game. I want to create an uninstall that will replace any files that were changed by this addon I am creating after uninstalling the additional files I've added. This isn't like replacing a single .exe file because there are several hundred files that are installed and updated in several different folders. Anyone know how to do this?

[NTDmods]

Re: How Do I Create an Undo File

use the copy file command. You will have to do it for each file, but it is possible. You can create a new directory, copy the old files there, then on uninstall copy them back.

Good luck with those hundreds of files.

[YIRMASTER]

Re: How Do I Create an Undo File

Thanks anyway but if thats the only option I think the users can either go without an undo option or I gotta pick another product for this task.

[Lorne]

Re: How Do I Create an Undo File

There are plenty of ways to do it. You just need to back up each original file, and then copy it back on uninstall.

Since you should know which files are being installed and updated, you could just use a bunch of copy or move actions. Duplicate the directory structure in the folder where you copy the originals to, and just use wildcards to copy them all back, one directory at a time.

Or you could backup whole directories instead -- maybe distribute a free Zip utility as a primer file, and run that at the start of your setup to zip up the whole shebang.

Or you could give the backups a unique extension (not just ".bak" which is pretty common), use a Search for File action to find all the files with those extensions and use a WHILE loop to copy all the original files over the new ones (using string actions to remove your unique backup extension).

A rollback feature would be nice, and you can bet we'll look at something like that for a future version...but it isn't that hard to do now, really.

but rather installs new levels/maps/mods for a game.

I have a bit of experience in this area.

[YIRMASTER]

Re: How Do I Create an Undo File

Do you mean I can add a .bak extension in addition to the extensions that are already in place? Keep in mind there are many files here with several different pre-existing extensions which are specific to the game this update is for.
I've done so much work on this game update so far, I just wish there was a Rollback feature. Doing the extra work to create it manually and then testing it to make sure you did it correctly seems to be a real pain.
I see you made some mods yourself for Tribes, I do them for Rogue Spear Black Thorn. Actually I've only done a few mods mainly what I am trying to do here is take mods that others have made but did not make a self installer for or for those that were made for different versions of the game and make this self installer that will automatically install all the necessary files and folders in the correct places. This is why it is difficult for me to go through all the files and extensions of files that are being replaced because I may not always know which ones are replacing others vs. which ones are being installed freshly.

[Lorne]

Re: How Do I Create an Undo File

Do you mean I can add a .bak extension in addition to the extensions that are already in place?

As of version 6.0.1.0, yes. (We actually changed that for the latest version.)