Installation failed: node-v0.10.13-x64.msi

[Spetnik]

When installign node-v0.10.13-x64.msi on my Windows 7 64bit machine, it fails with the message "node.js setup wizard ended prematurely". This is the install log: http://pastebin.com/NYT18xkA

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Aaron

[Mithgol]

You could try installing manually.

[tjfontaine]

@Spetnik are you still getting this with v0.10.15 installer? what more information can you provide about your environment, specifically how you are installing (as an admin user or with run as or whatever)

[Spetnik]

I ended up just installing manually and have not yet had time to try the newer installer. I am an admin on a Win 7 Pro 64 bit machine.

Getting the same message on Windows 7 64Bit with v0.10.20

[JimF42]

I think I may have found a reason for this error (at least in my case) and a possible workaround. (also posted on StackOverflow http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12472079/node-js-setup-wizard-ended-prematurely/20958355#20958355)

I got a similar message from the installer and found that I could go to command prompt and run the MSI with a command line option to make it create a log file (like node-v0.10.24-x64.msi /lxv C:\Logs\Nodejs.log), where you can choose what the log is called and where it goes.

In my case, we are running in an Active Directory domain environment and some of our folders that are normally local are redirected to a network share so they are always there no matter what computer we log into. Mostly for the benefit of our "My Documents" folder.

When looking through the log I found the actual error that I was getting:

• WixCreateInternetShortcuts: Error 0x80070005: failed to save shortcut '\ad.local\system\users[myAcctName]\Start Menu\Programs\Node.js\Node.js website.url'
• WixCreateInternetShortcuts: Error 0x80070005: failed to create Internet shortcut
• CustomAction WixCreateInternetShortcuts returned actual error code 1603 (note this may not be 100% accurate if translation happened inside sandbox).

Resolution (for me)

Oddly enough, just running an admin escalated command prompt first, and then running the MSI lets it install correctly.

I think the difference is that when you double-click on an MSI and it escalates, it runs as TrustedInstaller and while that account has access to everything on my box, it does not have network access. When I run an escalated command prompt, it is running as me, but already escalated (the MSI never needs to ask for escalation), so it works.

[jasnell]

Appears to no longer be an issue. Can reopen if new information is presented.

[JimF42]

I just downloaded node-v0.12.4-x64.msi and can confirm that this is indeed still an issue, albeit a slight different error message is presented, but it is still the same problem that I posted above on 1/6/2014.

The messages now are:

• MSI (s) (D4:68) [16:36:54:599]: Executing op: ActionStart(Name=CreateFolders,Description=Creating folders,Template=Folder: [1])
• MSI (s) (D4:68) [16:36:54:599]: Executing op: FolderCreate(Folder=\ad.local\system\users[myAcctName]\Start Menu\Programs\Node.js,Foreign=0,SecurityDescriptor=BinaryData,)
• Info 1926.Could not set file security for file '\ad.local\system\users[myAcctName]\Start Menu\Programs\Node.js'. Error: 0. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to modify the security permissions for this file.
• MSI (s) (D4:68) [16:36:54:654]: Error in rollback skipped. Return: 3

If you like, I can get you the entire log file. Also, due to the nature of the error (at least in my case) I understand that this is not easily recreated by most developers as you need an environment where your user documents (normally located at C:\Users[myAcctName] is relocated to a network server. See https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732275.aspx for details.

I do not know if I am allowed to reopen this issue myself, so if I can't, then the owner may need to.

[jasnell]

hmm... @orangemocha ... thoughts?

[JimF42]

Hey @jasnell, @orangemocha, I think I have a clue. I looked at the file properties of your msi to see if I could determine what "brand" it was (appears to be Microsoft's installer toolkit) to see if I could search for the issue via the installer docs.

I didn't get quite that far since I found this forum post that probably gives the correct answer regardless of which installer you are using.

In short, some installers give the option of asking the user if they want to install for "Just for me" (not escalated) or for "Everyone" (definitely escalated). If you are installing for "Everyone", wouldn't it make sense to put the shortcut for the Start Menu under the "All Users" Start Menu instead of the current user's? The All Users Start Menu would never be redirected by Folder Redirection, only the logged in user gets redirected.

If you really want to install to the current user's Start Menu, the accepted answer points to another web page which may give you a clue as to how that is done. Since I don't use the Windows Installer, so I will have to leave the details of how either way that is actually done to you folks...

If you tweak the install package, feel free to post a comment back on the forum of where I can find a new MSI and I will be happy to try it out for you.

[orangemocha]

@JimF42 , thanks for the detailed report.

I think the difference is that when you double-click on an MSI and it escalates, it runs as TrustedInstaller and while that account has access to everything on my box, it does not have network access. When I run an escalated command prompt, it is running as me, but already escalated (the MSI never needs to ask for escalation), so it works.

This sounds like a plausible explanation. I will try to reproduce it and do a bit of research to determine the best practice in this case.

In the meantime, can you please share the entire log file?

[JimF42]

@orangemocha, How would I get you the log file? The file is +11MB and I can't seem to attach a file to this post in github.

As far as determining the best practice, that sounds great, but keep in mind even for users where the installation does not error out, I still think (in hindsight) the installation is not correct. You are installing the software for "Everyone", but only installing the start menu item "Just for me" (the current user). I bet if you log on to your own computer as a different user you will find that there is no start menu item for jsnode. Mind you, I say all of this without testing it myself... 😏