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Re-packaging Install Shield Installations

Is it just me or are Install Shield installations a real pain a$$ to re-package?

Is there any best practice guidelines or hints and tips anywhere? I had a quick google search but nothing really came up.

I watched the video on how to convert an Install Shield MSI to a basic MSI. But when I opened the converted MSI in WISE 9 I have issues viewing all the files and reg settings. Its like WISE cannot read the MSI correctly. Should I be using WISE to view/create an MST or should I be using Admin Studio?

PS Just reading the definitive guide to windows installer technology now [:)]

Cheers

DG

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Answers (9)

Posted by: SandeepPanat 13 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
You may want to re-phrase the query.
If the installer is already in MSI format, why are you required to re-package?
To customise the installer, you'll have to create MST, which can be created by any of the tools - Adminstudio or Wise.
Posted by: Dodgyguy 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
My question is pretty simple really. What are the best steps to take when you want to apply an MST to an Installer Shield based MSI?
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
Many IS packagers use the IS functions to do funky stuff, effectively turning the MSI into a non-standard MSI but, when all's said and done, it should be pretty straightforward to create a response transform using Tuner.
Posted by: kanthsri87 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Or Else you can use Admin studio Editor to create the MST!! If you need to create any response file too jus check the response file option at last.

Note:Response file means any customzations that u needs to be done while u installing the MSI.

For eg :I agree window pop up is a customzation.
Posted by: Dodgyguy 13 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
0
Ok, so are we talking about using the "-r" switch to create a response file? or is this a tool with in admin studio (I'm using WISE)
Posted by: Arminius 13 years ago
Second Degree Green Belt
0
One thing you can do is run the installer /?. That will tell you the options you have; often that will enable you to extract the MSI. You'll need to fiddle with it because those are normally setup driven.
Posted by: blacklisted_packager 13 years ago
Orange Belt
0
One piece of advice if you are trying to do a silent installation of Installshield setups , make sure you test it once in a restricted user in system context. Lately i have come across many installshield setups which dont execute in restricted user system context but works fine in admin user system context. Ideally both are same but i have seen such issues so beware when you do silent installation.
Posted by: pjgeutjens 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
One piece of advice if you are trying to do a silent installation of Installshield setups , make sure you test it once in a restricted user in system context

I would consider this a rule for ANY package you test. Any packages that did not get tested in user context I would consider highly suspicious.
Come to think of it, this is actually one of my favoured questions when taking job interviews, and if you don't mention user context testing, a little red flag goes up on my end...

PJ
Posted by: anonymous_9363 13 years ago
Red Belt
0
Quite. In fact, I'm stunned that any packager worthy of the title would NOT think of performing such testing.
Rating comments in this legacy AppDeploy message board thread won't reorder them,
so that the conversation will remain readable.

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