Software Deployment

Nested MSIs are A Really Bad Idea. You will run into problems with patches and upgrades.

You don't necessarily need transforms for the other MSIs but only you can know that, after doing your test installs. For instance, many apps default to installing a limited set of features, whereas you may want to install them all. You can obviously do that from the command line but I prefer transforms.

For actual deployment, most deployment systems - inclusing Group Policy - allow you to deploy in a specific order, if that's required so use the MSIs/MSTs rather than the single EXE.

Thanks For ur reply VBScab.

How to call the other three MSI's using Custom Action.

can u send me the code for calling the other MSI's using Wise Script.

Why do want to write a CA. Why don't you create a wrapper again using wise script or vbscript?

How to call the other three MSI's using Custom Action. That would create the nested MSI scenario which I counselled you against! can u send me the code for calling the other MSI's using Wise Script.Sorry, no, I can't. I don't do WiseScript, as I regard it as The Spawn Of The Devil.

From your last post, I get the impression that, once you have a wrapped sequence of MSIs, you're going to call the wrapper from within another MSI. Am I right? If so, you have once again the nested MSI scenario.

I repeat: just use the MSIs, with transforms if required, and deploy them separately using your deployment tool of choice. Keep It Simple!

Hi VBScab creating transforms fo each individual MSI is a lengthy process and we should ran those MST's along with MSI's
so, why are u prefering this method than that of Wise script.

If u know wise script please let me know anyone in this forum how to write code for this in wise script.

so, why are u prefering this method than that of Wise script. Eh? A transform is a delta applied to an MSI. There is no connection with WiseScript whatsoever, in terms of what a transform does.

And what makes you think creating a transform is lengthy? A simple response transform can be created in minutes.

How are you installing the package. If you are using CA DSM, SCCM or any other distribution method then you can use its help to install all the packages, such as in CA-DSM case create a single policy for all the msi packages.

What are you trying to do? As VBScab said script has nothing to do with transform or viseversa. You can create a wrapper using wise or vb to just install the apps in order as you manually do but with one click.

Here is the basic wise script for you to create a wrapper.Go to the wise script editor and try to create the similar script.

set variable APPNAME to "whatever"
set variable PRODUCT_NAME to "whatever"
set variable MANIFACTURER to "whatever"
set variable SOURCE to %INST%\1st.msi
set variable CMDLINE to /i "%INST%\1st.msi" /qn
set variabel SOURCE1 to %INST%\2nd.msi
set variable CMDLINE1 to /i "%INST%\2nd.msi" Transforms="2nd.mst" /qn

if file exixts %SOURCE% then
add "Install Source: %SOURCE% to INSTALL.LOG
else
Add Install Source: Not Found! to INSTALL.LOG

'write this dependeing on number of sources.

'If you need to check OS then do it.

Display Progress Message "whatever"

Execute %SYS32%\msiexec.exe(exe path) %CMDLINE% (command line)
Add Install Exit Code: %PROCEXITCODE% to INSTALL.LOG

Execute %SYS32%\msiexec.exe(exe path) %CMDLINE1% (command line)
Add Install Exit Code: %PROCEXITCODE% to INSTALL.LOG
and write in the same way for that many number of sources you have.

Thank You Naveen.

this will help me alot.