GPO, no MSIs available

[cjkenworthy]

I'm using GPO to deploy common utilities to users. I am astonished however that major players do not offer .msi packaged redistributable installers for their software.

I refer to Winzip and Adobe Acrobat reader. Has anyone had any experience deploying these using GPO? I can get an MSI for acrobat but the assignment does nothing (

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-5054963.html?tag=viewfull).

Winzip offers no msi at all.

Are there any other free alternatives to these two programs that offer MSI packages.

I tried working with the MSI editor (veritas) supplied with the Windows 2000 Server CD but its too much of a headache to get working.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[klhoskins]

Would need more information on why the assigned AA Reader package isn't functioning. Have you tried using .ZAP files to deploy non MSI based installs? The only down side to them is that if the installation executable does not support "silent" switches, there will be user interaction needed.

 

[mark01]

Thats all I use for using MSI's. I use veritas. But I downloaded their new one, 2003LE. I've used this on winzip, and has worked great. I can't remember if I've created one for AA.

I've tried MSI's that have been created by the vendor, but I have learned to trust my own created MSI's over theirs.