Problem creating an office2003 .msi installer

[maniaq]

hey, i have a problem, iahve crated a snapshot with adminstudio6, the i have installed office2003, tooked another snapshot, got those office2003 files, tried to make an .msi installer ant it stops, here take a look:

it stops when it is trying to load registry

i have waited more that 2H and nothing

everything works just great with other sotf, i have created more than 15 installers sucssesfully, but i can't create office 2003.....

where is the problem

[Martin Zugec]

Why are you trying to repackage msi installation??? Have you lastest AdminStudio patches?

[maniaq]

i'm using adminstudio 6 standart version, i have tried with pro version, there is the same problem....

patches????i didnt install any patches, where could i get them?

why?????i want to have small office installer with configured ms office features, shortcuts....

Edited August 4, 2005 by maniaq

[totoymola]

Rule of thumb: Never repackage an msi. That's why we have msp's. Or if you want customized installations, use mst's.

Edited August 4, 2005 by totoymola

[maniaq]

Rule of thumb: Never repackage an msi.   That's why we have msp's.  Or if you want customized installations, use mst's.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

msp's??????what this??/

[totoymola]

Rule of thumb: Never repackage an msi. That's why we have msp's.  Or if you want customized installations, use mst's.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

msp's??????what this??/

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey dude!

I don't know why you want to repackage a very large MSI installer like this. Is it because:

a) you want to integrate updates to the original installer?

or

b) you want to have a custumized installer that contains all your settings, ect. ?

If a, you don't have to do repackage it because you can simply integrate the msp to the original installer. MSP is the format of the update patch that the developers release if they have updates for their msi installers.

If b, why not use an MST? An mst is a transform file, that contains all the settings for your custom installation. It has the same concept as the winnt.sif file for unattended installation of Windows.

Repackaging an msi is not a good idea, especially for enormous softwares like Office2003! The main reason is because every msi has a unique characteristic. You will never get an exact same package. When Microsoft release an update for Office2003, it is not gonna work on your repackaged version because the update is for their original msi release only. Next, it is really difficult!! Huge installers has thousands of files and registry entries!! And just in case you don't know, msi installers create their own registry entries even if they are not related to the software. So in my opinion, your snapshot repackaging method will not do it. You are lucky to have AdminStudio, the complete software for software packaging. But you cannot just rely on the Repackager. For example, the registry entries. Repackager will most likely capture most (but DEFINITELY not all!) of the registry entries created by the msi installer. But like I said earlier, not all those entries are related to the software. So how can you seperate the just the important entries if you have thousands of them? Seriously, that a lot of work. And even if you are successfull repackaging a working installer, it will never be 100% perfect.

Hey, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to discourage you. It's really your choice, so do whatever you want. I'm just trying to show you the disadvantages. Sheesh.. I remember when I was starting to learn..

You might also find this useful. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=38802&hl=

Good luck!

Edited August 4, 2005 by totoymola

[Martin Zugec]

Download ORK tools from Microsoft - you can modify your office installation. I must absolutely agree with totoymola...

[maniaq]

i want to use those mst or msp methods, because i still have the the same cise of my install about +600MB, i only install about 150MB on my computer with the mst method so why do i have to keep those 450MB???

the shrinking method---->>>office installs only on a clean windows, so idon't want to use it anymore.....

i know that when i repackage office it wont work 100% but it will install on my windows configuration like i have said that i created more than 15 install that way and it works great, except i cant create office, sound blaster and vypress chat program, because they are not the same as any othen smaller soft......

ps. i want to put my office into a cd..thats because i want smaller setup

Edited August 4, 2005 by maniaq

[maniaq]

solved me problem

[mzar720]

@maniaq

If you are Solved your problem. What is the current size of your Office installation now?

I wish In the Future if you have some Spare time to write another Nice Guide From you about to how to use

Adminstudio6 to repackage an msi ---> Office for examlpe

thanks

[maniaq]

@maniaq

If you are  Solved your problem. What is the current size of your Office installation now?

I wish In the Future if you have some Spare time to write another Nice Guide From you  about to how to use

Adminstudio6 to repackage an msi ---> Office for examlpe

thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

the size of mine office2003 is now about +60MB(with excel, word, power point), but it isn't working fully right now, because i have trouble with the wrong users or something, i have thought of creating some guide but have to study i lit harder, maybe in the future i will create a guide if no one else does

[maniaq]

btw, i can share mine winamp 5.094 if anyone would like only 3.91MB, with very quick install....works on xp sp2 and windows vista as i have tested....

[mzar720]

thanks maniaq and i wait your future guide

[mzar720]

btw, i can share mine winamp 5.094 if anyone would like only 3.91MB, with very quick install....works on xp sp2 and windows vista as i have tested....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes i wait for link

[maniaq]

btw, i can share mine winamp 5.094 if anyone would like only 3.91MB, with very quick install....works on xp sp2 and windows vista as i have tested....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes i wait for link

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i have created a post where yu could download it

go here