Anyone ever repackaged CyberLink PowerDVD 6?
Hi Guys,
I have to deploy CyberLink PowerDVD 6. I was hoping for a vendor's MSI, but it's a plain old InstallShield installation!
I am just weighing up my options and thought this one would be intereting to get some feedback from others as to how you might have gone about it.
Expecting some potentially nasty system changes to be made, I captured the installation with a pretty minimal exclusion list (Wise PS 5.6), wanting to see exactly what the installation got up too, especially in terms of hardware.
My concerns are:
The installation has numerous drivers which seem to have been installed - I have various Infs and a few pnf files indicating those infs actually got installed. I am also thinking perhaps the installation might vary depending on what hardware audio and video devices you already have installed.
I have a few strategies in mind to tackle this, but apart from having to sort out where the product key information etc etc gets stored, I am wondering if heading down the repackaging route is the way to go, in terms of being worth while, reliable and generally not my single mission for the next fortnight! I have deployed OEM PNP drivers before, both with straight setup API calls (as per the template on this forum) and the DIFxAPP merge module - but I am not sure these will help me with the type of hardware changes this app natively makes.
Do you guys attempt to repackage apps like this?
Any specific experience of PowerDVD?
My plan B is working with the original InstallShield installation (recorded .iss), perhaps wrapped in an MSI, using the MSI package to clean up and add product registration keys etc (I really hate doing this though). Ideally I would like to get my teeth into the repackage, but cant afford to loose too much time if I need to go with Plan B after all!
Comments welcome!
thanks
Graham
I have to deploy CyberLink PowerDVD 6. I was hoping for a vendor's MSI, but it's a plain old InstallShield installation!
I am just weighing up my options and thought this one would be intereting to get some feedback from others as to how you might have gone about it.
Expecting some potentially nasty system changes to be made, I captured the installation with a pretty minimal exclusion list (Wise PS 5.6), wanting to see exactly what the installation got up too, especially in terms of hardware.
My concerns are:
The installation has numerous drivers which seem to have been installed - I have various Infs and a few pnf files indicating those infs actually got installed. I am also thinking perhaps the installation might vary depending on what hardware audio and video devices you already have installed.
I have a few strategies in mind to tackle this, but apart from having to sort out where the product key information etc etc gets stored, I am wondering if heading down the repackaging route is the way to go, in terms of being worth while, reliable and generally not my single mission for the next fortnight! I have deployed OEM PNP drivers before, both with straight setup API calls (as per the template on this forum) and the DIFxAPP merge module - but I am not sure these will help me with the type of hardware changes this app natively makes.
Do you guys attempt to repackage apps like this?
Any specific experience of PowerDVD?
My plan B is working with the original InstallShield installation (recorded .iss), perhaps wrapped in an MSI, using the MSI package to clean up and add product registration keys etc (I really hate doing this though). Ideally I would like to get my teeth into the repackage, but cant afford to loose too much time if I need to go with Plan B after all!
Comments welcome!
thanks
Graham
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Answers (19)
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Posted by:
GB1
19 years ago
Ahh, looks like the install has just forced/repeated a DirectX install - this pretty much expalins everything!
Time to get the proper exclusion list out!
Time to get the proper exclusion list out!
Posted by:
GB1
19 years ago
PowerDVD now repackaged without problem - my moment of madness was not spotting the DirectX 9b install that had also been captured. Starting fresh, with the correct pre-requisites made for an easy capture and clean up.
HOWEVER!
All is not plain sailing - I have an issue with non-admin users and DVD drivers where the region has not yet been set.
Please see the post I made in the scripting section of this forum (I thought it was the best place):
http://itninja.com/question/programmatically/automate-setting-of-dvd-region&mpage=1&key=∪
EDIT: Anyone else seen this region not set/cannot be set unless an administrator scenario before - I guess someone must have deployed Cyber DVD or WinDVD or similar to new machines with no region set before in a locked down environment?
HOWEVER!
All is not plain sailing - I have an issue with non-admin users and DVD drivers where the region has not yet been set.
Please see the post I made in the scripting section of this forum (I thought it was the best place):
http://itninja.com/question/programmatically/automate-setting-of-dvd-region&mpage=1&key=∪
EDIT: Anyone else seen this region not set/cannot be set unless an administrator scenario before - I guess someone must have deployed Cyber DVD or WinDVD or similar to new machines with no region set before in a locked down environment?
Posted by:
yetimax
19 years ago
I've been trying to repackage powerdvd as well and even after opening up the security settings on c:\ and the registry, it would not launch the dvd from the gui for non-admins. The vendor states that only Admins can install and use powerdvd. If someone can get around this, please let us know....Thanks and good luck.
Posted by:
GB1
19 years ago
ORIGINAL: yetimax
I've been trying to repackage powerdvd as well and even after opening up the security settings on c:\ and the registry, it would not launch the dvd from the gui for non-admins. The vendor states that only Admins can install and use powerdvd. If someone can get around this, please let us know....Thanks and good luck.
I have a clean package that will install and run in my environment.
As luck has it, our laptops seem to have the DVD region set out the box. So only on desktop machines do I have a problem - where an administrator will need to set the DVD region the first time.
Posted by:
palmerp
19 years ago
GB1 or yetimax:
Are you saying all I need to do is set the region (as admin) then anyone with a Users account will be able to play DVDs?
If not, any luck getting users accounts to work with this pos?
Phil
Are you saying all I need to do is set the region (as admin) then anyone with a Users account will be able to play DVDs?
If not, any luck getting users accounts to work with this pos?
Phil
Posted by:
GB1
19 years ago
ORIGINAL: palmerp
GB1 or yetimax:
Are you saying all I need to do is set the region (as admin) then anyone with a Users account will be able to play DVDs?
If not, any luck getting users accounts to work with this pos?
Phil
That is correct.
One side effect I could not get over was if you install and run my package for the first time as an admin, it gives you the splash screen to register, however as a standard user it doesn't (suits me).
If you need to overcome setting the DVD region thing, try the freeware utility in the link below. I asked on a DVD enthusiast forum and one of the gurus knocked this up for me!
http://forum.rpc1.org/download.php?id=416
Posted by:
palmerp
19 years ago
What about getting around this same problem in PowerDVD XP 4.0?
For some reason, 4.0 does not query the admin or user for the region.
I cannot get this version to play for a User Acct.
Phil
For some reason, 4.0 does not query the admin or user for the region.
I cannot get this version to play for a User Acct.
Phil
Posted by:
GB1
19 years ago
ORIGINAL: palmerp
What about getting around this same problem in PowerDVD XP 4.0?
For some reason, 4.0 does not query the admin or user for the region.
I cannot get this version to play for a User Acct.
Phil
So on a PC, with the DVD drive set to a region, you can play a DVD of that region, as an admin user using your install of CyberDVD 4? However, not as a standard user?
If I have understood the scenario correctly, personally I would check an out of the box install from the CD gives the same behaviour, then get regmon and filemon out.
Posted by:
lgr
18 years ago
Hi folks,
New to this forum, so bare with me. I've been building MSIs for about a year using WinInstall LE with some success (about 80 MSIs to date). Unfortunately, there are always some programs that fall outside that success and PowerDVD 5 is one of them. So it was with great interest that I stumbled upon this forum and the problem/solution GB1 had with version 6.
GB1, you state "Time to get the proper exclusion list out!" I searched the All Forums list for "exclusion list" to see what you meant, but your messages were the only hits. WinInstall has an Exclusion File list, but without the exact filename being used to install DirectX within Setup.exe, I can't exclude that in the snapshot. Can you share the filename with me? Or, am I barking up the wrong tree?
As far as setting user rights, we've used various methods to get around that. All our students are Domain Users in the Guest group. This deletes the profile when they log out. We've written encrypted RunAs scripts that elevate them to administrators when these "special" programs run. They usually work, but then you know Group Policy!! I also have seen that WinInstall 'may' allow rights elevation within the MSI, but I haven't crossed that bridge, yet. I'm only so brave!
Thanks in advance for any direction you can provide.
New to this forum, so bare with me. I've been building MSIs for about a year using WinInstall LE with some success (about 80 MSIs to date). Unfortunately, there are always some programs that fall outside that success and PowerDVD 5 is one of them. So it was with great interest that I stumbled upon this forum and the problem/solution GB1 had with version 6.
GB1, you state "Time to get the proper exclusion list out!" I searched the All Forums list for "exclusion list" to see what you meant, but your messages were the only hits. WinInstall has an Exclusion File list, but without the exact filename being used to install DirectX within Setup.exe, I can't exclude that in the snapshot. Can you share the filename with me? Or, am I barking up the wrong tree?
As far as setting user rights, we've used various methods to get around that. All our students are Domain Users in the Guest group. This deletes the profile when they log out. We've written encrypted RunAs scripts that elevate them to administrators when these "special" programs run. They usually work, but then you know Group Policy!! I also have seen that WinInstall 'may' allow rights elevation within the MSI, but I haven't crossed that bridge, yet. I'm only so brave!
Thanks in advance for any direction you can provide.
Posted by:
yetimax
18 years ago
It was a while ago when I tried packaging 5.1. Our w2k desktops are pretty locked down but I opened up the perms on winnt and the program files directory and still no go. I tried everything. I contacted the vendor and they stated that the user must be an admin to run. I ended up using a utility we have that launches an exe an elevated state.
Posted by:
businessuser
17 years ago
Hello! I'm working with CyberLink PowerDVD 7 for Dell.
Just had a couple of questions related to this post.
1. Does anyone know what to look for to determine whether you've captured some of or all of a DirectX install.
2. Do you know how to turn off the Online Update button on the main screen? For version 5 it was a registry key, but now that key looks to not be part of the installation anymore, and adding it does not change the behavior at all.
Thanks for any help anyone can provide!
Just had a couple of questions related to this post.
1. Does anyone know what to look for to determine whether you've captured some of or all of a DirectX install.
2. Do you know how to turn off the Online Update button on the main screen? For version 5 it was a registry key, but now that key looks to not be part of the installation anymore, and adding it does not change the behavior at all.
Thanks for any help anyone can provide!
Posted by:
jib
17 years ago
I've been where you are - and decided to give it up.
Instead, we went with a solution where we added both VideoLAN and Media Player Classic to the clients as dvd players. We also added them to the autoinsert-popup and have the user select which player he wants to use from there.
This was a lot better/cheaper/easier to maintain than trying to package/license PowerDVD (or WinDVD, for that matter).
Our (large) userbase has not complained so far.
Instead, we went with a solution where we added both VideoLAN and Media Player Classic to the clients as dvd players. We also added them to the autoinsert-popup and have the user select which player he wants to use from there.
This was a lot better/cheaper/easier to maintain than trying to package/license PowerDVD (or WinDVD, for that matter).
Our (large) userbase has not complained so far.
Posted by:
anonymous_9363
17 years ago
ORIGINAL: businessuserCreating an exclusion list for DirectX would be quite time-consuming. The easiest thing to do is to pre-install whatever flavour of DirectX the package wants - and set it up fully - before capturing.
1. Does anyone know what to look for to determine whether you've captured some of or all of a DirectX install.
2. Do you know how to turn off the Online Update button on the main screen? For version 5 it was a registry key, but now that key looks to not be part of the installation anymore, and adding it does not change the behavior at all.Use ProcMon to see what changes when you turn the option off. It can only be file- or registry-based, both of which ProcMon will show you.
Posted by:
businessuser
17 years ago
Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll definitely consider this option: VideoLAN or Media Player Classic
Other than that a couple thoughts responding to the last post:
I really am not looking to create an exclusion list, just a couple of names of major files for the directX install to look for in the capture to see if I actually captured some directX stuff. If I did, I'll go back to the drawing board and consider what to do about directX first.
As far as the OnlineUpdate button, there is not an option to turn it off in the software, it's not supposed to be able to be turned off. It's just that in version 5 you could change a registry key to hide it, there was also no option to turn it off.
Thanks again for everyone's input!!
Other than that a couple thoughts responding to the last post:
I really am not looking to create an exclusion list, just a couple of names of major files for the directX install to look for in the capture to see if I actually captured some directX stuff. If I did, I'll go back to the drawing board and consider what to do about directX first.
As far as the OnlineUpdate button, there is not an option to turn it off in the software, it's not supposed to be able to be turned off. It's just that in version 5 you could change a registry key to hide it, there was also no option to turn it off.
Thanks again for everyone's input!!
Posted by:
anonymous_9363
17 years ago
ORIGINAL: businessuserDXSetup.EXE seems like a good candidate...
I really am not looking to create an exclusion list, just a couple of names of major files for the directX install to look for in the capture to see if I actually captured some directX stuff.
Posted by:
Chupacabra
17 years ago
Hi. This is my first post here and as luck would have it, this might be a massively stupid question. I, too, am trying to repackage Dell's PowerDVD 7 for a 5,000+ environment. The main thing that we want accomplished is to have the install in an MSI format so that we can instruct users to "repair" if needed.
Is a setup capture the way to go here and if so, can anyone recommend a guide to view because I have never done one before.
Thanks!
Is a setup capture the way to go here and if so, can anyone recommend a guide to view because I have never done one before.
Thanks!
Posted by:
jmcfadyen
17 years ago
lgr,
I just noticed your post on elevating the users rights.
goto this site.
http://www.ewall.org/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=8
read all of the permissions sections. This is a considerably better way to achieve full lockdown than your current working solution.
I just noticed your post on elevating the users rights.
goto this site.
http://www.ewall.org/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=8
read all of the permissions sections. This is a considerably better way to achieve full lockdown than your current working solution.
Posted by:
goosey1
16 years ago
To disable the online update button for PowerDVD DX (Dell OEM version 7)
Open the following file in notepad or your favourite xml editor
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\Customizations\Dell\Layout\Movie\moviemain.xml
and delete the section
<Iem name = "biOnlineUpdate">
<caption> LANG("OnlineUpdate") </caption>
<bind event = "Click"> OnlineUpdate </bind>
</Item>
Open the following file in notepad or your favourite xml editor
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\Customizations\Dell\Layout\Movie\moviemain.xml
and delete the section
<Iem name = "biOnlineUpdate">
<caption> LANG("OnlineUpdate") </caption>
<bind event = "Click"> OnlineUpdate </bind>
</Item>
Posted by:
rjnagy
15 years ago
Hello have a quick question, getting ready to package Dell Power DVD 8 myself, the installer is using installshield so running setup.exe with an admin switch should extract the .MSI. Second once you have the .MSI extracted you should be able to edit with Installshield 2009 via MST. At that point I would be hoping to delete any shortcuts, delete the startup process, and then copy and modify the xml file (hence killing the update) create it as new feature in the .MST and set it to always overwrite with the proper sequencing. Is my theory correct? Also once power dvd is installed does it change any file associations or is Windows Media Player still the default (which is what we want).
Ric
Ric
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