Summary

Error -6199: Internal build error

Symptoms

When building an InstallShield project from the InstallShield IDE the following error may occur during the build process:

Error -6199: Internal build error

Cause

This error occurs during a high-level stage of the build that upgrades the project and performs the actual build. This is known to occur in the following scenarios:

1. InstallShield has been improperly installed or corrupted.
2. An incorrect entry exists in the Directory table.

Resolution

The following steps have been known to resolve this behavior in all reported cases:

1. Run InstallShield in repair mode. To do this:
   1. Re-insert the DVD or re-run the install program.
   2. In the Maintenance Mode dialog, choose Repair. This ensures all files have been correctly installed and registered and automatically corrects any discrepancies found.

If the error persists, follow these steps to search the table manually:

1. Download Microsoft's ORCA utility.
2. Open the ORCA utility and browse to your Express project file (.ise).
3. Select the Directory table.
4. Scan through the table manually and make sure all entries appear valid.

Additional information on what constitutes a valid entry, refer to the Windows Installer Help Library topic Directory Table. This article documents each column within the table and what value(s) it should contain.

Additional Information

Additional information on using the Directory table can be found in the Windows Installer Help Library topic Using the Directory Table.

This error is briefly documented in the InstallShield Help Library topic Build Errors and Warnings.