>From the work I have done with packaging .msi's, good and cheap are not necessarily synonymous when it comes to packagers. There is a lot more involved than just throwing it together (beliee me, I have done quite a few packages!). In order to convert a setup file to a .msi, you have to do a pre- and post-setup snapshot of the PC to determine what files and registry entries are added/modified, etc. The cheap packages are not going to do a good job with this, or they are going to add additional entries that should not be included that will break the .msi. I have worked with the following and can recommend them: Wise for Windows Installer (only for doing setup captures and .msi editing, but is moving more towards development - straight from Wise), and Wise Package Studio. There are several versions of the package studio - Standard and Professional come to mind. We have the Professional version, and I believe that the license was around $1500. Not exactly cheap. But it does what we want/need it to. Bottom line, you need to know what you are doing in order to repackage setup files into an .msi. Sorry for the lecture - I got the same thing when I asked one of our consultants about some basic packagers. I have also heard from a Microsoft rep that they recommend Wise for Windows Installer. Don't know the pricing on it. But I know that Wise won't be coming out with updates to it because it is moving more towards development, and not corporate .msi deployment. If you want more info, feel free to contact me offline. I have been working with .msi's for the past 6 months in trying to develop unattended installs for most, if not all of our applications being deployed within our company.
James Winzenz, MCSE, A+ Associate Systems Administrator Peregrine Systems, Inc. -----Original Message----- From: W2K Discussions [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 4:59 PM To: NT 2000 Discussions Subject: RE: :: MSI They are going to be coming out with the corporate windows update in Q2.. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/ittasks/s upport/CorpWU.asp Not sure if they are in MSI format. Actually does anyone know of a good basic cheap MSI packager? One that does nothing more than package existing setup files.... ------ Dustin -----Original Message----- From: Morgan, Joshua [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: February 28, 2002 11:15 AM To: NT 2000 Discussions Subject: RE: :: MSI Also Why doesn't Microsoft distribute hot fixes for 2000 and above via .MSI? Joshua Morgan PH: (864) 250-1350 Ext 133 Fax: (413) 581-4936 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Morgan, Joshua [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 2:12 PM To: NT 2000 Discussions Subject: OT::: MSI Has anyone ever thought/heard of a resource for downloading MSI files Sort of like prove you are compliant for that package and for $20 here it is nicely wrapped up for you for this type of config? Joshua Morgan PROFITLAB Network Engineer PH: (864) 250-1350 Ext 133 Fax: (413) 581-4936 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "One is glad to be of service " --Robin Williams (Bicentennial Man)-- ------ You are subscribed as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------ You are subscribed as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------ You are subscribed as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------ You are subscribed as [email protected] Archives: http://www.swynk.com/sitesearch/search.asp To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
