trying to call an external EXE from a MSI
Hi
I'm a beginner with WISE Packaging Studio and MSI Packaging.
I've here a Maintenance Pack for UGS NX 6.0.
This is provided as a exe or batch which copies/overwrites about 10'000 files to the Installation folder.
I'd like to call this exe from a msi (i've my reasons for this).
The exe is in the same folder as the msi.
The sourcepath changes on every computer (deployment by Altiris 7)
I need to get the sourcepath of the msi to call the exe.
So far i've found out that i have to do this by a CustomAction.
But i got no clue how this is done. Can somebody help me please.
Thank you for your help.
I'm a beginner with WISE Packaging Studio and MSI Packaging.
I've here a Maintenance Pack for UGS NX 6.0.
This is provided as a exe or batch which copies/overwrites about 10'000 files to the Installation folder.
I'd like to call this exe from a msi (i've my reasons for this).
The exe is in the same folder as the msi.
The sourcepath changes on every computer (deployment by Altiris 7)
I need to get the sourcepath of the msi to call the exe.
So far i've found out that i have to do this by a CustomAction.
But i got no clue how this is done. Can somebody help me please.
Thank you for your help.
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Posted by:
suchi.jigar
14 years ago
Why do not you write a custom action in execute deferred?
use execute program from destination
set working directory to systemfolder
in exe and commandline type cmc.exe /c "[SOURCEDIR]test.exe"
use execute program from destination
set working directory to systemfolder
in exe and commandline type cmc.exe /c "[SOURCEDIR]test.exe"
Posted by:
cygan
14 years ago
click on the msi script
change installation mode to "all custom action"
drag the "execute program from installed files" custom action
browse for the .exe file
add command line switches for silent install ie /s
click on the location tab
untick the no sequence box
click on add
click on the move down key and sequence after installfinalize
click on properties tab
set processing to "asynch no wait"
set the condition to Not Installed
click on your ok button
change installation mode to "all custom action"
drag the "execute program from installed files" custom action
browse for the .exe file
add command line switches for silent install ie /s
click on the location tab
untick the no sequence box
click on add
click on the move down key and sequence after installfinalize
click on properties tab
set processing to "asynch no wait"
set the condition to Not Installed
click on your ok button
Posted by:
anonymous_9363
14 years ago
I'm not a user of the Altiris deployment system but I'm reasonably sure that it can run EXEs directly, in which case why complicate things by wrapping that EXE in an MSI?
Also, are you sure that the EXE doesn't simply extract and execute an MSI?
Also, are you sure that the EXE doesn't simply extract and execute an MSI?
Posted by:
AcIvI
14 years ago
@cygan: thank you for the guide.
That was the part that I already figured out.
My problem: Altiris copies the source before the installation to a local directory, that on every machine has a other name.
This local source contains the msi, which should execute the exe in the same folder.
So I need to find a way to find out the sourcedir of the msi, so that i can call the exe. This should not be static.
I've read something about the Action "ResolveSource", but i've got no clue how to get this to work.
@VBScab: Yes you are right about that Altiris can run exe'e direct. (Altiris can run anything that is executable)
But this exe does nothing other than call a Batch that copy's about 10'000 files from the source to the program folder.
That's UGS way of deploying Minor Patches.
So I have no control other than Altiris Logs that the Update was installed on a machine.
With the MSI I get some control over this installation. (such as Altiris can check easily if the Update is already installed)
That was the part that I already figured out.
My problem: Altiris copies the source before the installation to a local directory, that on every machine has a other name.
This local source contains the msi, which should execute the exe in the same folder.
So I need to find a way to find out the sourcedir of the msi, so that i can call the exe. This should not be static.
I've read something about the Action "ResolveSource", but i've got no clue how to get this to work.
@VBScab: Yes you are right about that Altiris can run exe'e direct. (Altiris can run anything that is executable)
But this exe does nothing other than call a Batch that copy's about 10'000 files from the source to the program folder.
That's UGS way of deploying Minor Patches.
So I have no control other than Altiris Logs that the Update was installed on a machine.
With the MSI I get some control over this installation. (such as Altiris can check easily if the Update is already installed)
Posted by:
anonymous_9363
14 years ago
Would the SOURCELIST property http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa371858%28VS.85%29.aspx be of any use?
Posted by:
AcIvI
14 years ago
ORIGINAL: suchi.jigar
in exe and commandline type cmd.exe /c "[SOURCEDIR]test.exe"
The [SOURCEDIR] was the crucial information that i did not know.
Thank you.
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