Newbie Wise Packager 7.2

What are these applications?

The first app, without knowing the error, it's hard to say.

The second app sounds like you have captured HKCU registry entries. You can try to remove those and see if the package will still function or do a search for Active Setup to only Self Heal those entries when the application is launched.

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the reply.

I agree with you it is hard to find resolve an issue without knowing the error. But is there a event log in Wise which highlight issues with the package while validating?

Thanks

After you run the package Validation. Above the Finish button, there is an option to Save to File.

the very first thing you need to do is right-click on the .exe and see if it's a compiled .exe. Never assume that just because it's in .exe format that there isn't a .msi inside of it. There are many compiled .exe's and if you extract them you will actually find the vendor .msi inside of it. Microsoft actually does this for all their hotfixes but if you extract it, you will see the .msi inside of it and you can deploy that.

Also the reason you are getting that error is most likely because the .exe is calling a .msi inside of itself which cannot be wrapped inside another .msi. Remember all .msi means is that is't a all inclusive package and it's self repairing. If there is no .msi inside of the .exe thn I suggest doing a capture of the installation on a clean box and let Wise create the .wsi for you which is then compiled into a .msi when you are finished.

Emily Duncan
Sidley Austin LLP
Software Deployment Developer

Hi Emily,

This information was really usefull for me. I just wanted to ask you some doubts.
How do I realize the .exe is a compile .msi, and in this case (compile .msi) should I use that .exe to package the app? I mean,should I call that .exe in the wrapper?
If the .exe is calling a .msi inside of itself, then should I create a response file?
Thanks in advance!!
this has a great value for me:)

kind regards
juliet

Hi,

Eshwar wrote this article on how to find out if it's a legacy app. or a MSI.
https://www-secure.symantec.com/community/download...

If it is a compiled MSI, then usually it will extract the files to this location.
C:\Documents and Settings\%username\Local Settings\Temp\%foldername%.

Launch the executable and wait till it's at it first window (maybe a Welcome window), leave it open and check your Temp folder. Copy the folder where it extracted the MSI (and maybe more files), paste the folder at a different location. Now you can cancel your set up. Canceling your setup prior to copying and pasting the folder from temp will delete those files.

Some executable's will not extract to the Temp folder or extract at all. They needed a parameter like setup.exe /extract. Most likely the vendor will have that sort of information on their site.

Once you have your msi, you can create a mst.

Good luck.
Maggie

Maggie

Once I execute the msi, if it extract and msi to C:\Documents and Settings\%username\Local Settings\Temp\%foldername%., Can I use that msi to package the application? I mean to insert it in the wrapper?(with Wise Package Studio)

Yes, you can create a MST using that MSI, with Wise or Orca etc. and add your modifications.

If you don't need to add any modifications, then you can just use the MSI. Might want to add some properties to the command line, like.
ALLUSERS=1 (per machine install)
REBOOT=REALLYSUPPRESS (if it has a reboot and you don't want that).

You can also add these properties in the MST, that's up to you.

Let me know if you need help creating the MST.

Maggie

ok, Just to be sure, never mind if this is a part of an installshield? I am trying to package BarTender 9.01‏, this is an exe which calls an MSI. So in that case ,should I took that msi, ( the one located at c:/doc and sett...)?

thank you very much

Hi,

If there are more files in that folder than only the MSI then copy those too. You'll need those as well.

Keep them with the MSI in the same folder.

That's all you need.

Maggi,I made that, and the app installed very well, but when I look for the product code in the registry it doesn´t appear, I mean I don´t have the uninstallstring, so I don ´t know how can I uninstall this app with my wrapper. Any idea¡?

Some apps. register by a name in the registry.
If it shows in add/remove it's in the registry.

Do a search on it's display name that's shown in add/remove in the registry.
It should be in this location:
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/currentversion/uninstall/

As suggested by MaggieH, navigate in the HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/currentversion/uninstall regkey.

You have to find the right registry key for the application to remove ( CTRL - F ) and open the UninstallString.
You will see a string like this,

MsiExec.exe /X{1BC4026B-1957-4514-9058-2B542557F143}

( In this example is the Opera 9.63 program unstall command).

Copy the string somewhere , the result will be the MSIexec command to uninstall the application.

Please note the Msiexec.exe /X is the command to uninstall a package, in case you will find something different , just replace this setting with /x.

Paolo

It is not unusual to find msiexec /i{product code} which will then start the installer in "maintenance mode" giving you the option of changing the install, repairing it, or removing it.
Changing the registry key to msiexec /x{Product Code} will make the operation remove only.

First of all, if you are working with any Java based application, it is important (if using capture), to ensure that the appropriate Java runtime is pre-installed before capturing, as capturing part or all of a Java runtime causes all sorts of problems.

If you are getting a windows installer popup after installing the app, on the first occasion that you run it, that is evidence that the application is "self healing". If it is happening every time you start the application, then your package is flawed, and you are probably trying to write to a user profile other than the one that you are now using. Check the application event viewer, as this will show which component ID's are being repaired, and then look at what these components are installing.

First of all, thanks for all your help.
I am working with an .exe, my question is could I make an automated installation without making a capture if it is necessary to put license key in installation steps? I ´ve already tried to install it with /s but no case...,
And it doesn´t make a response file with /r..

Thanks in advance!! :))

When I am compiling an .wse appears an error,
"An aplication has made an attemp to load Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.. Please verify." (Wise Package Studio SP3) Does anibody knows what is about?

thanks!!!

Hi,

Do you mean you are compiling a WSI, instead of a WSE?

Are you capturing or creating a Wise Script?
I am pretty sure it was just a typo.
Anyway, what application are you packaging?

Did you add Merge Modules?

Quote:
"MSVCR80.DLL is the latest version of Microsoft's C runtime library. Actually there are several runtime libraries, but this is the default for DLLs compiled with the Visual Studio 2005 compiler and linker. Version mismatches in the C runtime library are a common source of application failure, so Microsoft is now enforcing the use of a manifest that identifies the exact version of the dependent file, enabling "side by side" existence of multiple versions without conflict."

If you added a Merge Module, could be it has the wrong version.

Would you mind letting know what application you are packaging?

Have you consulted the manufacturer's installation documentation? Very often they will provide a series of command line switches which allow parameters such as licence keys to be entered on the command line.

Since it looks like you are a newbie, it would help us to help you if you can disclose FULL details of the application, whether you are using the Wisescript or Windows Installer editor, how you plan to distribute or install the resultant application, and how come you are saddled with this task when you have such limited experience?

Finally, it looks like you are working with an application that has dependencies including Java Runtime and also the Visual Studio runtime (these are downloadable from Sun and Microsoft respectively).

Once you disclose what application you are working on, it may be more evident what the solution is, based on past experience. There is also a large database of packaging solutions for many apps at the Appdeploy.com site, under the packaging section.

Maggi
Thanks a lot for your help, I could solve that app,it was like you said...
Could I ask you for a hand with an app ( Wasp Barcode Labeler 6.0.6 ) this is an installshield,my problem is it asks for a license key in the installation meantime, I need to know if I can make a package so that it ask for the key after the installation for each user,is it possible?

Thanks in advance!!!
Regards

Hi Juliet,

Glad to hear you got it working.

The Wasp Barcode Labeler application.
Are these individual licenses? Every user has a different license key?

If that's the case. Then possibly you could make that work, with a VBscript.

First you have to find the location where the license information is written to.
Then write a VBscript, where a input box will appear for the user, so he/she can add their license key and have the script write that user input to the correct location.

Add this vbscript as a custom action.

That's how I would do it.
Maybe there are other packagers that have a better idea. If so, please post, I am also interested in that.

Maggie

Yes Maggie, these are individual licenses and I don´t have anyone, I am trying to get at least one key to find where the license information is written to. Then I ´ll see how can I handle this with a VBScrip.(I know it just a little)
Thanks :)))

You are a really help for me.

So, they threw you in the deep!

I like InstallWatch to find out that kind of information.
You can download it here:
http://www.epsilonsquared.com/installwatch.htm

I don't know if you know this tool, but it comes in very handy. I hope you have some time to get familiar with it.

Are you familiar with other tools like Filemon, Regmon, Procmon?

Those are also a great help with finding these kind of things, or when you need to find files/reg.keys that might need permissions.

Filemon download
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb...

Regmon download
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb...

Procmon download
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb...

Maggie

With Installshield apps, you can usually create an answer file that allows silent installation. This may also allow the serial number to be specified. If that works, you could create the answer file dynamically with your vbscript and then run the setup.exe with the answer file. You can find all about answer files by googling, but in essence, the "record" operation is setup.exe -r and the "install" operation is setup.exe -s
The answer file defaults to the name setup.iss and is written to the windows folder, so you need to copy it out of there and into the same folder ideally as setup.exe

Juliet

What EdT suggests is the better way to go.

More info here:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/tividd/td/framework/...

Then a general question.

When someone replies to a thread in the forum, I receive two emails with the same contents.
Does this happen to you too?

Yes, I'm getting two mails each time also.
I will see if I can find out whether this can be fixed from my contacts in Symantec

Maggi

I´m getting two mails too..

Edt
I also thought about creating a response file, but in this case I can´t continue with the installation since I don´t have at least a license kye, right?
That´s the big deal.., on the ather hand could specify a bit more about " create the answer file dynamically with your vbscript ."

Thanks a lot!

Until you get a valid serial number, you are not going to be able to take this any further if the application install will not proceed without one.
Some apps install first, then ask for a licence key afterwards, or you may be able to get a time limited "evaluation" licence key to do a demo install. Sometimes demo installs are feature limited, sometimes they are not. Also, if the demo key install allows you to update the install with a full product key, then again you can work out the install method and rely on the users to complete the install with their personal licence keys when they have bought them. Hope this makes sense.

For those getting two mails - has anything changed since yesterday, as the Notification module has been updated on the Juice server according to my sources in Symantec.

That´s exactly I offered the user, package with a demo license key and then users should register the app with their own licenses key.
Thanks a lot!!
Both, Maggie and Edt
Regards

I didn't receive any emails this time.

Maggie

Yes, mine have stopped completely also. Looks like it's gone from one extreme to the other.

Can anyone explain how can I make a .cab file containing two files inside?
Thanks,

Hi Juliet,

Maybe you could start a new thread with this question.

Anyway, you can use the makecab.exe for that. It's located in your system32 folder. You can do a google search for instructions.

This site promotes a Cab file maker. Haven't looked in to this one, but looks very user friendly.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Compression-tools/Cab...

Maggie

What do you intend to do with the CAB file?
If the CAB is intended to go as part of an MSI install, then the order of files in the CAB must match the sequence numbers in the file table and media table of the MSI.

Hi again,

I was working on an application (easylabel). It is an installshield which calls an msi, The main .exe put a pair of files in the following directory C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\application data\Tharo\Easy label,if I execute the .msi it doesn´t install that files and the installation get error without finishing, so I make an .mst to custom this msi and I put this two files in the mst, when I compiled and it gives a .cab with this two files.
I execute from the cmd with
msiexec.exe/i (msi) TRANSFORM=(mst)/qn
My big deal is that it doesn´t respond to the switch QN . I mean I can´t silent this msi, but if I run this without qn it runs correctly-. I tried with /q , /qn /QN /Q / quiet and I wans´t lucky.
Any idea?? I don´t know what to do any more.

Thanks. :S

Hi Juliet,

Does it install when you use the /QB switch?

Do a verbose log and look for any errors in there.

Could be some CA's that are not executed during silent install.

Maggie.

It doens´t install with /QB.
Sometimes the error I get is that the app find another app already intalled and this is false, I am making the test in a clean machibe,
How can I discover that CA (you mean custom action?)?

Thanks!
Jesica

Create a verbose log.

Add this to your commandline.

/lv "C:\Windows\Temp\easylabel.log"

Doesn't have to be this folder, can be anywhere you want. Look for errors, check for Return value 3.

Also, did you capture what the setup.exe installs before it starts with the msi?

For a verbose log, add /L*v c:\windows\temp\easylabel.log

When you run with the /qb or /qn switch, the entire InstallUI sequence does not get run.
So you need to look into this sequence for any custom actions, or even pre-requisites, that get installed during a normal "full UI" installation.

If you open the MSI in an MSI editor such as ORCA - have a look in the custom action table and note any entries in there. Then look in the InstallUI table and see if any of those custom actions are in there.
Some Installshield apps, even the MSI ones, still allow the creation of an answer file by running setup.exe -r and going through all the user dialogs. When installed, find the setup.iss file created in the c:\windows folder, and put that in the same folder as the setup.exe
Then try another install on a clean machine using
setup.exe -s and see if it completed without further intervention.

Hi!
I am looking for a way, (with WPS)to create a package to import registry key with following setting:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Update\Policy\
Set EnableJavaUpdate Key to Dword:0
Which is the best way?

thanks in advance :)

Hi Juliet,
Are you trying to turn off auto-update in the Sun Java 1.6_12 client?
I have a working solution for this in the form of an embedded vbscript custom action which does all the regkey writing to turn off this option.
If that is what you are after, I will write it up as a new post

Hi EdT, yes that´s what I am looking for, I discovered it is possible with a custom action in wise, I think this is ok, but I¨d like to see that vbscript !
Thanks :))

Hi everybody, I need some help, I´ve got a app, microsoft visio, I was asked to change the key which this app installs, I changed the pid key in the mst but it seems that this app still installs with the old key, how can I check this in the registry??
thanks !!

Have a google for utilities that can retrieve the serial numbers for installed Microsoft apps - I don't think they are present in the registry in plain text.
With Microsoft apps, configuration of the install is best accomplished with the Office Resource Kit, if you are dealing with Office 2000 or 2003 apps. With 2007, the customisation tools are built in to the application - for Office 2007 it is setup /admin if I recall correctly.
Using the resource kit tools results in the most reliable creation of the required MST

Edt

What about app 2002 (Microsoft Visio Professional 2002 and Microsoft Visio Standard 2002 ), is it the same to use microsoft resource kit 2003?

Thanks !!:)

Good question.
I believe you will need to grab the ORK for Office XP (2002).

Hi, does anybody knows about making packages with parameters? I must package an installshield in 3 differents modes, I do not know how to set the custom action. thanks,
Jesica

I need to set the following key registries
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ODBC\ODBC.INI

to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ODBC\ODBC.INI\CAD/CSD Generic DSN

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ODBC\ODBC.INI\ODBC Data Sources

Can I get this just completing the key with \CAD/CSD Generic DSN
\ODBC Data Sources ??

Thanks,