MSI/MST Files

[MrTBC]

Can anyone recommend any software for creating MSI/MST files please?

Many Thanks.

 

[EBGreen]

It depends on how much money you want to spend. IMO the best resource would be Wise for Windows Installer, however it is not cheap. You can also use Installshield which I personally don't like as much. There is an application that I believe comes with Server 2003 and is called something like 'Installer Lite' I haven't used it and I've heard it is somewhat limited. MS Visual Studio has a deployment piece that will create MSIs. You can always get the Windows Installer SDK from Microsoft for free. It comes with an app called Orca that will technically let you create MSIs, but you would be doing everything by hand. While this is possible for very small and simple deployments (I've done it), if it is at all complicated, this method is quite difficult.

If you are not limited to MSIs (which I happen to prefer in general), then there are some other free install systems out there. Two of te best IMO are Inno and NSIS (Nullsoft).

[red]"... isn't sanity really just a one trick pony anyway?! I mean, all you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you are good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit!" - The Tick[/red]

 

[MrTBC]

Thanks TomThumbKP. Reaaly useful info!
To be honest we only have a very small amount of apps to deploy via Group Policy in 2000 Server.

 

[bofhrevenge2]

I use Wininstall LE 2003, which is what i beleive TomThumbKP was refering to. I've packaged over 30 applications in our organisation with very few problems and have distributed all of them to over 300 PC's, i would recommend you give it a try before shelling out especially if you only have a few apps to package.

http://www.wininstall.com/freele.asp

 

[MrTBC]

Thanks bofhrevenge2. Have looked at Wise for Windows Installer which is probably more complex than we need. Am currently looking at Wininstall LE 2000 as an alternative.

Cheers guys.

 

[bofhrevenge2]

I'm not sure if that was a typeo or not but make sure you get Wininstall LE "2003" as it produces good MSI's far more often, the 2000 version gave me a few problems.

 

[MrTBC]

Thanks. We are actually using 2000 Server to set up XP Clients. I am using the version from the 2000 Server disk. Can I still use the 2003 version?

 

[bofhrevenge2]

Yes you can, it was the version on the 2k disk that gave me trouble the 2003 version is better and it produces MSI's that are compatible with 2k actice directory.

I don't know what your complete setup is but here's a tip if you have a mix of XP and 2k pro clients then make your packages on a 2k station they seem more compatible than if you make them on XP then distribute them to 2k.