Visio2002: How the Self-Repair Feature Works (284935)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visio 2002 Standard
  • Microsoft Visio 2002 Professional
This article was previously published under Q284935

SUMMARY

Microsoft Visio 2002 takes full advantage of the self-repairing features offered by the Microsoft Windows Installer. If a critical resource is missing, such as a file or registry key that Visio requires to start, the Windows Installer detects this and repairs the program. If your source files are accessible, you may see a Windows Installer dialog box appear briefly during the repair process, after which the program starts.

MORE INFORMATION

Components and Features

The self-repair process is based on two building blocks of the Windows Installer technology, called components and features.

The smallest and most fundamental block is a component: a collection of files, registry keys, and other resources that are all installed or removed as a unit.

Features are the granular pieces of a program that you can choose to install, and typically represent the features of the program. Essentially, a feature is a grouping of components.

When you perform a custom installation, the items listed in the Microsoft Visio 2002: Selecting Features dialog box are the features of Microsoft Visio 2002.

Keypath

One of the resources within a component may be designated as the keypath for the component. Typically a file is used as the keypath, but a keypath can also be a registry value.

The keypath represents two things:
  • The path to the given component

    When a program requests a path to a component, the Windows Installer returns the path to the keypath resource.
  • Verification of whether the component is properly installed

    If the keypath resource is missing, the Windows Installer behaves as if the whole component as broken.

Run-time Repair

The Windows Installer enables dynamic repair of a program in much the same way that it enables the installation of features on first use. When you start a program, the Windows Installer verifies that each component is properly installed. As described earlier, the existence of the keypath determines whether or not a component is broken. If the keypath resource is missing, the Windows Installer automatically reinstalls the components that are broken.

To repair Microsoft Visio by using Maintenance Mode Setup, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
  3. In the Add/Remove Programs dialog box, double-click Microsoft Visio.
  4. Click Repair - Restore to the original installation state. and click Next.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo KB284935
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