Failed Update to new version when program is not installed to the Program Files directory
VLC does not update properly after authorization. Most recent attempt was the update from 2.0.3 to 2.0.4 but this behavior has been going on for some time now.
User opens vlc player and is prompted for update. Update is authorized and the download of the new version of update of player begins and completes and player closes at end of download. Player update does not occur. This appears to be repeatable based on past attempts - did not try to replicate with current (last) update.
New program is downloaded to TEMP directory for user and is "functional" - can be manually installed.
Based on behavior noted today and changes to past updates that I have made - it appears that the updater looks for the installation to be in the designated directory but under or as a sub-folder of the Program Files folder in WINXP.
When the program was not installed to that directory - installer crashes (possibly it is the uninstaller component) and update is not made, nor is the program uninstalled from the actual directory where it has been installed for the prior update. NOTE: There were vestiges of earlier versions - certain sub-folders and plugins from prior versions within the Program Files directory architecture. These have since be deleted but will not be able to test this until next update.
If program is downloaded manually as has been done with past updates or using the downloaded version from the prompt today - installer begins and recognizes a previous crash. Authorization to report crash is given but does not complete - hence no crash report is or can be submitted. I suspect this behavior has been consistent with the past several versions.
Manual installation is continued but to a different directory (not as a subset of Program Files) and to the directory in which version 2.0.3 was already installed and had not been uninstalled manually by user.
Manual installation completes - new version has been updated and no errors noted at initial tests.
In short, automatic update appears to crash or fail due to installation of program to a different directory of user's choice. Problem appears to occur post download and likely involves or is impacted by the change of directory location for current version.
The uninstaller cannot or does not find or uninstall the prior version and rather than simply shift to the installation prompt for the new version - the process crashes and no update is made. The prior version is still on system and remains functional.