195311 - Mozilla implementation of GRE creates multiple instance confusion

Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

(Core Graveyard :: Installer: GRE, defect, P1)

Description

[Charles Rosendahl]

Using the latest nightly builds, or any builds using a private GRE installation,
if two or more installations of mozilla are installed into different
directories, all uninstallers will delete that last mozilla installation
installed and render the remaining uninstallers broken beyond that point.

1.  Install two instances of mozilla into two distinct directories.
2.  Check the registry settings of the GRE - notice everything points to the
last installation only, with the exception of the pathtoexe keys in the applist key.
3.  cd to the uninstall directory of the first mozilla installation and run the
uninstaller.
4.  Notice the second installation was deleted instead of the first.

Comment 1

[Charles Rosendahl]

According to the spec, this might be because you are calling the uninstaller
without the /app_path param?

(specs need updating), but

calling the uninstaller with only the /app param will delete the applist entry
and potentially the GRE.  adding the /app_path param should remove the pathtoexe
entry , then potentially the applist entry and GRE installation.

I kind of think it is a bug to be able to specify the app param only and wipe
out the applist entry.  

At the least, the uninstaller should check that there are not valid multiple
instances installed under the applist entry before removing it.  

if there are multiple valid entries, then the uninstaller should not perform the
uninstall.  

If there is only one entry, then the uninstaller may proceed.

Comment 2

[Charles Rosendahl]

*** Bug 197481 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 3

[Charles Rosendahl]

Should be fixed before any product ships GRE.

Comment 4

[Michael Buckland]

Discussed in edt bug triage.  Plussing.

Comment 5

[Samir Gehani]

adt: nsbeta1-

Comment 6

[Daniel Veditz [:dveditz]]

The GRE installer is long dead