Adding files to an MSI install via MST
Hello everybody,
Okay. Stupid question time. I would like to add a few files to the installation of an MSI package. I would like to do this with an MST transform. And I would like to do this without having to spend money on a sophisticated package builder tool.
I'm not a package developer; I don't work for a software developer. I'm just a sys admin working for a small manufacturing company. I just want to make package installation as automated as possible. So buying some expensive tool is really hard to justify; even a cheap tool is not preferred if a free one is available.
I've got Microsoft's ORCA, but there's nothing obvious like an "Add Files" button. I can see all the tables, of course. I can even make some guesses as to what tables to edit to add the references. But I need to know how to add the file itself to the MST.
If knowing a specific example helps, what I'm currently working on is adding the "all-custom.js" and "firefox.cfg" files to a Mozilla Firefox installed via MSI, to pre-set various defaults in Firefox. I've got the files all set, I just have to get them onto the computer. I suppose I could script something outside of the MSI stuff to drop the files into place, but that seems like a kludge.
Any ideas?
Pointers to documentation welcomed (I can RTFM if you point me at an FM to R). If a payware tool is just the only possible way, I'd welcome suggestions on the best tool for a sys admin who just wants to tweak things on occasion, and doesn't want to develop software from scratch or do anything too fancy.
advTHANKSance
-- Ben
Okay. Stupid question time. I would like to add a few files to the installation of an MSI package. I would like to do this with an MST transform. And I would like to do this without having to spend money on a sophisticated package builder tool.
I'm not a package developer; I don't work for a software developer. I'm just a sys admin working for a small manufacturing company. I just want to make package installation as automated as possible. So buying some expensive tool is really hard to justify; even a cheap tool is not preferred if a free one is available.
I've got Microsoft's ORCA, but there's nothing obvious like an "Add Files" button. I can see all the tables, of course. I can even make some guesses as to what tables to edit to add the references. But I need to know how to add the file itself to the MST.
If knowing a specific example helps, what I'm currently working on is adding the "all-custom.js" and "firefox.cfg" files to a Mozilla Firefox installed via MSI, to pre-set various defaults in Firefox. I've got the files all set, I just have to get them onto the computer. I suppose I could script something outside of the MSI stuff to drop the files into place, but that seems like a kludge.
Any ideas?
Pointers to documentation welcomed (I can RTFM if you point me at an FM to R). If a payware tool is just the only possible way, I'd welcome suggestions on the best tool for a sys admin who just wants to tweak things on occasion, and doesn't want to develop software from scratch or do anything too fancy.
advTHANKSance
-- Ben
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Answers (2)
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Posted by:
Merlin999
18 years ago
That is my favorite tool:
http://www.scriptlogic.com/products/installerdesignstudio/
I am working very often with it, because I also don't want to buy / use an expensive tool.
The price is about 300 €
Merlin
http://www.scriptlogic.com/products/installerdesignstudio/
I am working very often with it, because I also don't want to buy / use an expensive tool.
The price is about 300 €
Merlin
Posted by:
meastaugh1
18 years ago
I've got Microsoft's ORCA, but there's nothing obvious like an "Add Files" button. I can see all the tables, of course. I can even make some guesses as to what tables to edit to add the references. But I need to know how to add the file itself to the MST.
The simplest method for starters is probably just to use external files. That way you just need to create the folder structure and copy the external files in. Then update a few tables and that should be it. Have a look at [url=http://itninja.com/question/adding-a-file-to-msi-with-mst?-possible?&mpage=1&key=㣌]this[/url] post for info on using Orca to add files to MSI/MSTs.
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