Advanced Installer MSI - The Package Can Only Be Run From A Bootstrapper

Question

I am using advanced installer 11.4.1 to make an msi.

I want to run the .msi with msiexec /qn and not the .exe.

Advanced Installer makes 2 files as output (a .exe and a .msi)

When I run the .exe everything works fine.

Client.exe /qn /log "C:\mylog.log"

When I run the .msi I get no run and an error in the log

 msiexec /qn /i Client.msi /log "C:\mylog.log"

At the end of the .log file it reads..

Installation success or error status: 1603.

Here is the full log..

=== Logging started: 7/7/2020  9:54:58 ===
Action start 9:54:58: INSTALL.
Action start 9:54:58: AI_ResolveKnownFolders.
Action ended 9:54:58: AI_ResolveKnownFolders. Return value 1.
Action start 9:54:58: AppSearch.
Action ended 9:54:58: AppSearch. Return value 0.
Action start 9:54:58: FindRelatedProducts.
Action ended 9:54:58: FindRelatedProducts. Return value 1.
Action start 9:54:58: LaunchConditions.
MSI (s) (B8:7C) [09:54:58:208]: Product: Pfile -- This package can only be run from a bootstrapper.

This package can only be run from a bootstrapper.
Action ended 9:54:58: LaunchConditions. Return value 3.
Action ended 9:54:58: INSTALL. Return value 3.
Property(S): AppsShutdownOption = All
Property(S): DiskPrompt = [1]
Property(S): UpgradeCode = {6C146AF2-91E8-4E74-B03B-53D4E7CC5F19}
Property(S): ButtonText_Install = &Install
Property(S): ButtonText_Remove = &Remove
Property(S): ButtonText_Repair = &Repair
Property(S): CLIENT_LICENSE_STRING = conn\whocares\456
Property(S): CLIENT_SERVICE_INI_PATH = NicksINI
Property(S): CLIENT_SETTINGS_PATH = c:\myDir
Property(S): CLIENT_SERVICE_CREDS_PATH = xyz456
Property(S): BannerBitmap = banner
Property(S): AI_LOG_CHECKBOX = 1
Property(S): PUP_CLIENT_PATH = C:\Users\admin2\Desktop\Client.zip
Property(S): VersionNT = 603
Property(S): RedirectedDllSupport = 2
Property(S): AI_BITMAP_DISPLAY_MODE = 0
Property(S): AI_Init_NewSeqDialog = [AI_ButtonText_Next_Orig]:[ButtonText_Next]:AI_INSTALL|[ButtonText_Next]:[[AI_CommitButton]]:AI_INSTALL|[AI_Text_Next_Orig]:[Text_Next]:AI_INSTALL|[Text_Next]:[Text_Install]:AI_INSTALL
Property(S): ButtonText_Next = &Next >
Property(S): RemoveIcon = removico
Property(S): InstallModeCustom = Custom
Property(S): InstallerIcon = insticon
Property(S): TabBackground = tabback
Property(S): AI_CF_TITLE_TEXT_STYLE = {\CfTitleFont}
Property(S): EnableUserControl = 1
Property(S): ProductVersion = 1.0.0
Property(S): INSTALLLEVEL = 3
Property(S): SecureCustomProperties = OLDPRODUCTS;AI_NEWERPRODUCTFOUND
Property(S): ALLUSERS = 1
Property(S): CtrlEvtRemoving = Removing
Property(S): Text_Install = Install
Property(S): ButtonText_Reset = &Reset
Property(S): WindowsTypeNT40 = Windows NT 4.0
Property(S): ARPCOMMENTS = This installer database contains the logic and data required to install Pfile.
Property(S): WindowsTypeNT40Display = Windows NT 4.0
Property(S): ButtonText_Finish = &Finish
Property(S): AiPrerequisitesColums = PrereqLabel,PrereqReq,PrereqFound,PrereqAction
Property(S): ButtonText_Browse = Br&owse...
Property(S): NewDirIcon = New
Property(S): ButtonText_Exit = &Exit
Property(S): CtrlEvtrepairs = repairs
Property(S): DefaultUIFont = DlgFont8
Property(S): ButtonText_OK = OK
Property(S): ErrorDialog = ErrorDlg
Property(S): ProductName = Pfile
Property(S): ButtonText_No = &No
Property(S): DialogBitmap = dialog
Property(S): AI_ThemeStyle = default
Property(S): Manufacturer = Nick
Property(S): UpDirIcon = Up
Property(S): CtrlEvtRepairing = Repairing
Property(S): CtrlEvtremoves = removes
Property(S): PROMPTROLLBACKCOST = P
Property(S): ProductLanguage = 1033
Property(S): ButtonText_Ignore = &Ignore
Property(S): ProductCode = {744283F5-7EC5-4234-AFAF-5A4C36ECA4E9}
Property(S): ButtonText_Decline = &Decline
Property(S): WindowsType9XDisplay = Windows 9x/ME
Property(S): AI_CommitButton = ButtonText_Install
Property(S): ButtonText_Cancel = Cancel
Property(S): ExclamationIcon = exclamic
Property(S): WindowsType9X = Windows 9x/ME
Property(S): CtrlEvtChanging = Changing
Property(S): Text_Next = Next
Property(S): ButtonText_Resume = &Resume
Property(S): ButtonText_Yes = &Yes
Property(S): Wizard = Setup Wizard
Property(S): ButtonText_Retry = &Retry
Property(S): ButtonText_Return = &Return
Property(S): ButtonText_Accept = &Accept
Property(S): DlgTitleFont = {\DlgFontBold8}
Property(S): CtrlEvtchanges = changes
Property(S): InstallMode = Typical
Property(S): InstallModeComplete = Complete
Property(S): InstallModeTypical = Typical
Property(S): ButtonText_Back = < &Back
Property(S): Setup = Setup
Property(S): AI_EXE_EXTRACTION_FOLDER = [TempFolder]
Property(S): Progress1 = Installing
Property(S): Progress2 = installs
Property(S): AI_FrameColor = steelblue
Property(S): CompleteSetupIcon = completi
Property(S): AiStyleConditions =  
Property(S): CustomSetupIcon = custicon
Property(S): InfoIcon = info
Property(S): RepairIcon = repairic
Property(S): AI_PACKAGE_TYPE = x64
Property(S): AI_BUILD_NAME = DefaultBuild
Property(S): MsiLogFileLocation = C:\nicksMSIlog.log
Property(S): PackageCode = {5C323F79-0B19-4D21-8F17-1388EF390F50}
Property(S): ProductState = -1
Property(S): PackagecodeChanging = 1
Property(S): CURRENTDIRECTORY = C:\Users\admin2\Desktop
Property(S): CLIENTUILEVEL = 3
Property(S): CLIENTPROCESSID = 28384
Property(S): MsiRestartManagerSessionKey = bccb9b797ff6da41b5a1c929efbf25a3
Property(S): VersionDatabase = 200
Property(S): VersionMsi = 5.00
Property(S): ACTION = INSTALL
Property(S): VersionNT64 = 603
Property(S): WindowsBuild = 9600
Property(S): ServicePackLevel = 0
Property(S): ServicePackLevelMinor = 0
Property(S): MsiNTProductType = 1
Property(S): WindowsFolder = C:\Windows\
Property(S): WindowsVolume = C:\
Property(S): System64Folder = C:\Windows\system32\
Property(S): SystemFolder = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Property(S): RemoteAdminTS = 1
Property(S): TempFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Local\Temp\
Property(S): ProgramFilesFolder = C:\Program Files (x86)\
Property(S): CommonFilesFolder = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\
Property(S): ProgramFiles64Folder = C:\Program Files\
Property(S): CommonFiles64Folder = C:\Program Files\Common Files\
Property(S): AppDataFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Roaming\
Property(S): FavoritesFolder = C:\Users\admin2\Favorites\
Property(S): NetHoodFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts\
Property(S): PersonalFolder = C:\Users\admin2\Documents\
Property(S): PrintHoodFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts\
Property(S): RecentFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\
Property(S): SendToFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\
Property(S): TemplateFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\
Property(S): CommonAppDataFolder = C:\ProgramData\
Property(S): LocalAppDataFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Local\
Property(S): MyPicturesFolder = C:\Users\admin2\Pictures\
Property(S): AdminToolsFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\
Property(S): StartupFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
Property(S): ProgramMenuFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\
Property(S): StartMenuFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\
Property(S): DesktopFolder = C:\Users\Public\Desktop\
Property(S): FontsFolder = C:\Windows\Fonts\
Property(S): GPTSupport = 1
Property(S): OLEAdvtSupport = 1
Property(S): ShellAdvtSupport = 1
Property(S): MsiAMD64 = 6
Property(S): Msix64 = 6
Property(S): Intel = 6
Property(S): PhysicalMemory = 4095
Property(S): VirtualMemory = 2533
Property(S): AdminUser = 1
Property(S): MsiTrueAdminUser = 1
Property(S): LogonUser = Admin2
Property(S): UserSID = S-1-5-21-1032408829-1743725535-1994454344-1106
Property(S): UserLanguageID = 1033
Property(S): ComputerName = NICK-1903
Property(S): SystemLanguageID = 1033
Property(S): ScreenX = 1024
Property(S): ScreenY = 768
Property(S): CaptionHeight = 19
Property(S): BorderTop = 1
Property(S): BorderSide = 1
Property(S): TextHeight = 16
Property(S): TextInternalLeading = 3
Property(S): ColorBits = 32
Property(S): TTCSupport = 1
Property(S): Time = 9:54:58
Property(S): Date = 7/7/2020
Property(S): MsiNetAssemblySupport = 4.8.3752.0
Property(S): MsiWin32AssemblySupport = 6.3.18362.719
Property(S): MsiRunningElevated = 1
Property(S): Privileged = 1
Property(S): USERNAME = User01
Property(S): DATABASE = C:\Windows\Installer\5234f9c.msi
Property(S): OriginalDatabase = C:\Users\admin2\Desktop\ClientNet.msi
Property(S): UILevel = 2
Property(S): SavedGamesFolder = C:\Users\admin2\Saved Games\
Property(S): WindowsLibrariesFolder = C:\Users\admin2\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries\
Property(S): PublicDocumentsFolder = C:\Users\Public\Documents\
MSI (s) (B8:7C) [09:54:58:271]: Product: Pfile -- Installation failed.

MSI (s) (B8:7C) [09:54:58:271]: Windows Installer installed the product. Product Name: Pfile. Product Version: 1.0.0. Product Language: 1033. Manufacturer: Nick. Installation success or error status: 1603.

=== Logging stopped: 7/7/2020  9:54:58 ===

Answer 1

This is a launch condition imposed by Advanced Installer tool when you build an EXE with resources next to it. Check this faq in their user guide. As a workaround solution you can add in Builds view of your setup project a new build of type MSI. This way you will also build a setup package of MSI type only.

Answer 2

This problem can also be caused by choosing one of the fancy installer themes rather than one of the Classic ones. When you do that, it automatically sets AI to create an EXE that spawns the MSI rather than an MSI you can run directly.

To fix:

Change back to a classic install theme: Themes under User Interface

Check Dialogs under User Interface: the advanced theme choice may have added extra dialogs you didn't intend. In my case it added a dialog for the user to select an installation folder. My corporate customers don't WANT this, so I had to delete it.

Go to Builds under Package Definition and set it back to creating just an MSI, whichever MSI options you prefer.

Save, build, test.

Here, I got no more "This package can only be run from a bootstrapper"