MSI features or msi chaining?
Hi folks
Not really done alot of MSI packaging so Id like to ask you experts a question or two
I created a packge for a computer store to add about 7 oem packages to a standard install of XP Home. The project specs where simple, silent install from a bootable dvd, after installation it ejects the DVD. NO user interaction. However I did warn them that this would be a complete install and that if they uninstall a peice of software it would simple heal itself on the re-boot and install it again.
So I captured the various installs put them into an single msi created a .bat to execute msiexec and added a autoplay.ini on the dvd.
All was fine he was over the moon ( I only charged him £100 : is that to little do you think?)
The about 2 weeks later he rang me to say that some of his customers had a problem with AVS. He said not to worry that was his fault because of the specs he gave me and understood its limitations.
Now he wants a feature type installation ( as he said ) like MS office with a standard install but the ability to remove or add features.
I dont have a clue where to start!
So could you please advise me.
How would I seperate the installs. I can repack all the components or applications into seperate msi's not a problem. But how do I set up the feature set to only install the features selected.
Also how do a create a STANDARD INSTALL>?
Need some links or some really good advice because now I have a stack of people asking for various applications, and after 2 years of unemployment I really enjoy this type of work and would love to make a small business from it locally.
Thanks in advance
PS im using installshield but i do hava a copy of wise (old)
Not really done alot of MSI packaging so Id like to ask you experts a question or two
I created a packge for a computer store to add about 7 oem packages to a standard install of XP Home. The project specs where simple, silent install from a bootable dvd, after installation it ejects the DVD. NO user interaction. However I did warn them that this would be a complete install and that if they uninstall a peice of software it would simple heal itself on the re-boot and install it again.
So I captured the various installs put them into an single msi created a .bat to execute msiexec and added a autoplay.ini on the dvd.
All was fine he was over the moon ( I only charged him £100 : is that to little do you think?)
The about 2 weeks later he rang me to say that some of his customers had a problem with AVS. He said not to worry that was his fault because of the specs he gave me and understood its limitations.
Now he wants a feature type installation ( as he said ) like MS office with a standard install but the ability to remove or add features.
I dont have a clue where to start!
So could you please advise me.
How would I seperate the installs. I can repack all the components or applications into seperate msi's not a problem. But how do I set up the feature set to only install the features selected.
Also how do a create a STANDARD INSTALL>?
Need some links or some really good advice because now I have a stack of people asking for various applications, and after 2 years of unemployment I really enjoy this type of work and would love to make a small business from it locally.
Thanks in advance
PS im using installshield but i do hava a copy of wise (old)
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Answers (3)
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Posted by:
chango
18 years ago
I thought someone would know the answer to this question, Ill have to trawl and If I succed Ill post the method in here to share the knowelege
Posted by:
brenthunter2005
18 years ago
Features are like the basis of a MSI package. You can seperate different parts of an installation into features. eg: MSWord program and the spelling checker can be two different features in your MSI package. The user then has a choice to install just MSWord, or MSWord and the spelling checker.
You might want to read up on the further here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/windows_installer_features.asp
You might want to read up on the further here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msi/setup/windows_installer_features.asp
Posted by:
brenthunter2005
18 years ago
Though if you are combining several seperate applications together in one MSI, I wouldn't even bother with features; I would be creating several seperate MSI packages!
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