Add / Remove Programs "Repair" function causes services error

[Guest]

I've created a Windows Service and Installer using the MSDN Walkthrough
article. However, if I select "Change" then "Repair" out of the Add / Remove
Programs list then I get the error "The specified service already exists"

Anyone know how to fix this error or disable the Repair function?

Thanks!

 

[Phil Wilson]

You get this because a repair is a reinstall, and a reinstall includes
running custom actions, and so the Installer class tries to reinstall the
Service.
You can correct this by adding a Condition of NOT REINSTALL on the Installer
class Install and Commit custom actions so that they don't get called during
a repair, when the Windows Installer REINSTALL property is set.

 

[Guest]

Adding the "NOT REINSTALL" to the Condition property of the Custom Action
solved the problem.

Thanks for the tip Phil! I'll have to take a look at that book of yours!