Installation Issues with the New (and Older) Builds

[Cadillakin]

As per the other thread that I just participated in, (PDF Xchange has to close) I recently uninstalled and installed Xchange Viewer and Xchange Pro numerous times. None of it went smoothly...

I had installation issues throughout. When I installed Xchange Pro, I found that the uninstall and the pdfsave modules were NOT installed during installation procedures. Their icons were there in the start-programs area, but they were icons depicting the modules were missing. Not good. I think that was the msi installation file that did that. I went back and forth from the MSI to the zipped package in an effort to get everything successfully installed.

Further, upon reinstalling Xchange Viewer, two things occurred that shouldn't. First, because of the issues of the new build, I had to "go back" to the previous Viewer version. Xchange Pro was installed first, and I did not accept the option to download the Viewer during the Xchange Pro install. Upon installing the Viewer separately, I noticed right away that the Viewer install routine informed me that C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\ was already created - Did I want to install anyway? That question should NOT be asked if the Viewer will be creating and installing into its own subfolder of C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\. I'm guessing there is some overwriting occurring.. as an uninstall of one module, either Viewer Pro or Xchange Pro uninstalls all modules. To be clear.. if an end user has both the Viewer and the Xchange Pro listed in Add-Remove, under the circumstances I just laid out.. a removal of the Xchange Viewer removes Xchange Pro too! Bad deal there.

And finally, regarding the installation of Viewer Pro, there is a code1 (I think it's code1 - I don't want to try and reproduce it) error at the very end of the install as if the installation has failed. But what occurs in reality is the viewer is installed, but not completely. As I write this, my Viewer - the previous beta, 42.0 has no update module.. "Check for Updates" is greyed out. The Live Update icon in the start-programs area is showing the executable-Dos icon from yesteryear. This too has not been properly installed.

I'm a very big fan of the Tracker Software. I'm trying not to be too critical, but these installation issues need to be fixed. I don't want to spend hours installing a simple update. I write these as a courtesy so that you guys know whats going on out here with your end user community.. I'm glad to help.. but seeing these issues, I think you guys need to implement real beta testing with some of your users.

Edit: One more issue on the Viewer install. At the end when there is the code1 error.. it also states something like the viewer can't be found.. The viewer icon is not properly linked by path to the executable. I notice that in start-program files, the Viewer icon is installed, but showing as if it is missing. If I go into properties and properly paste the path to the executable, the icon changes into a proper windows icon and works.. Prior to that path change, it doesn't.

[Paul - PDF-XChange]

Hi Cadillakin,

thanks for the detailed feedback. I don't think you are being too critical. The folder structure both of the installation and the start menu are something that we are actively addressing right now. Seperate components like the Viewer, Print Driver and PDF-Tools will each get their own installation folder as a child of "%SystemDrive%\Program Files\Tracker Software". I agree that each application listed in Add/Remove Programs should be independant of each other's installation - this was the case and should continue to be. We'll check this out.

We appreciate your attention to detail and your product loyalty, we are implementing greater testing prior to release however it is a double edged sword as this delays release and there are MANY features to test. The most likely thing we will do is test the new features in any new build plus a few standard things like correct functioning of the installers etc.

Please bear with us as we improve the way this is done, we are working on it!

regards

[Cadillakin]

The new builds (4.0165 & 2.0422) upgraded properly. All modules installed. No errors. Thank you.

[Chris - PDF-XChange]

Glad all is well

Chris