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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.
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so that the conversation will remain readable.
 
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