Software Deployment

Terminal Services (it's got nowt to do with Citrix mate, it's terminal services that handles the multi-user environment) does some trickery when calls are made to ini files in system directories (i.e. windir, system32) and basically re-directs the request to a copy that is within the homedrive of the user (like a fake windir that is per user), this means that users settings don't interfere with each other.

The registry is handled in similar fashion but won't discuss that here since you don't talk about it.

I don't believe that the homedrive automatically handles calls to ini (or ini-like) files in the programfiles dir, this could be your issue. One thing would be to do an install where you know for sure that the TS (Terminal Server) is defo in install mode and see if things work.

To do this either:
-Install through add/remove programs in control panel or...
-use command "change user /install" do your install and then run "change user /execute"

See if the app works after that. If it does then you have the same issue I have to learn about currently.

The best thing for you to do would be is to either:
1. Get the application to store it's user settings as regkeys under HKCU, suppose this could be very hard though
2. Get the application to store it's these user settings file in windir and just allow the user to change them.

With the latter approach I think you would find that so long as the msi is installed correctly that the users would all get their own settings.

Hope this helps some.
Tom

Terminal Services World!

Thanks Yakboy... I already know the "fake windir per user stuff"

It seems that we have to try moving the files to different path locations and try try again. They are INI files and updated per user, there must be a solution.

Cheers

P[:(]

If they are in the windir then I honestly think you will be AOK. That is so long as the application installation occurs with the machine in install mode.

Once installed do you see your ini files listed at this location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Terminal Server\Install\IniFile Times
?

I believe that you should if things are working right.

I had been under the impression that an msi would inheritantly put a TS into install mode when installed (in any manner). The one I have just created by capturing an install on a WinXP client when deployed to a TS server using Citrix IM appears to simply place the files and create the registry keys exactly as they were installed on my client.

I'm generally against any user customisation... just causes trouble [;)]