SIM not switching to the Arellia PL

Issue

Symantec Installation Manager (SIM) tries to change to the Arellia Product Listing (PL) but ends up switching back to the PL it was already on

Resolution

  • Remove and save the files InstallHistoryPl.xml and InstallHistoryPl.xml.bak from the \Altiris\Symantec Installation Manager\ directory.
    • Or just rename them (to something like InstallHistoryPl.xml.Symantec and InstallHistoryPl.xml.bak.Symantec) and leave them in the directory.
  • Then run SIM and switch to the Arellia PL.
  • A new set of these files (InstallHistoryPl.xml and InstallHistoryPl.xml.bak) will be created after installing products when using the Arellia PL.
  • After installing the Arellia products close SIM.  Rename (suggestion add .Arellia to them) or remove at a separate directory the newly created files (InstallHistoryPl.xml and InstallHistoryPl.xml.bak).
  • Then put back in place the initial files (which were either moved or renamed) with the names SIM expects (InstallHistoryPl.xml and InstallHistoryPl.xml.bak).
  • Then open SIM and switch back to the Symantec PL file.

Cause

Per Symantec development the SIM history file has been corrupted. Typically this happens because of manual intervention in the installed solutions.  When and if SIM is updated to handle this scenario this article will be updated.