Installation capture?

[jim]

Years (?5) ago I used a software package (only twice) that took a snaphot of
a "clean" PC, allowed you to install any packages you needed, then it
created an installation file based on the system changes between its
snapshot and the system's state after the installs. But, I can't for the
life of me remember what it was called.

I know it was not Novell's ZenWorks. It was a much smaller application.

Anybody got any ideas about what it could have been?

I need an app that will do that now. I'd like to take a "clean" image,
install some apps and make a single install from the changes.

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

jim

 

[Robert Moir]

Years (?5) ago I used a software package (only twice) that took a snaphot
of a "clean" PC, allowed you to install any packages you needed, then it
created an installation file based on the system changes between its
snapshot and the system's state after the installs. But, I can't for the
life of me remember what it was called.

Probably Wininstall LE.

I know it was not Novell's ZenWorks. It was a much smaller application.

Anybody got any ideas about what it could have been?

I need an app that will do that now. I'd like to take a "clean" image,
install some apps and make a single install from the changes.

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

You might find a version of WininstallLE out there for download (look for
WinInstallLE 2003) but the majority of package building tools are expensive
these days, the ones that do this kind of snapshotting are all quite
expensive as far as I know.

 

[Malke]

Years (?5) ago I used a software package (only twice) that took a snaphot of
a "clean" PC, allowed you to install any packages you needed, then it
created an installation file based on the system changes between its
snapshot and the system's state after the installs. But, I can't for the
life of me remember what it was called.

I know it was not Novell's ZenWorks. It was a much smaller application.

Anybody got any ideas about what it could have been?

I need an app that will do that now. I'd like to take a "clean" image,
install some apps and make a single install from the changes.

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Use an imaging program. My preference is for Acronis True Image. Store
the image(s) you make on an external (or second internal) hard drive.

http://www.acronis.com


Malke

 

[Robert Moir]

Use an imaging program. My preference is for Acronis True Image. Store the
image(s) you make on an external (or second internal) hard drive.

I don't think Jim is talking about making images of his disks but rather of
using a particular technique for converting program installers into MSIs for
network deployment.

 

[Guest]

InstallRite from http://www.epsilonsquared.com

Unfortunately doesn't work for some msi-based installs, but saves a lot of
time when a (compatible) program neeeds installing then lenghtily configuring
on multiple PCs.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Years (?5) ago I used a software package (only twice) that took a snaphot of
a "clean" PC, allowed you to install any packages you needed, then it
created an installation file based on the system changes between its
snapshot and the system's state after the installs. But, I can't for the
life of me remember what it was called.

I know it was not Novell's ZenWorks. It was a much smaller application.

Anybody got any ideas about what it could have been?

Sounds like Snapshot.




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Bruce Chambers

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[jim]

I don't think Jim is talking about making images of his disks but rather
of using a particular technique for converting program installers into
MSIs for network deployment.

That's right. I want to be able to rapidly, easily deploy applications
without having to go through a manual install on every PC.

 

[jim]

Probably Wininstall LE.


You might find a version of WininstallLE out there for download (look for
WinInstallLE 2003) but the majority of package building tools are
expensive these days, the ones that do this kind of snapshotting are all
quite expensive as far as I know.

Went to their website and you can only buy via crappy channels that require
you to start an account with (most of) them to even see a price list.

One price list I did find was at
http://www.insight.com/site/search/index.cfm?ST=q&new_search=1&K=wininstall&x=0&y=0
and has prices from $4.86 to $510.21. No real descriptions on most of it,
so who knows what the hell they are actually selling (licenses, CD covers,
full suites.....who knows). And from the descriptions that were provided,
it sounded more like an Acronis TrueImage-type product.

This type of cutomer avoidance has always stricken me as being quite odd.

Why would you want to make buying your product as difficult as possible for
prospective clients?

Perhaps that's why I haven't seen them (or even heard of them) in years.

Thanks for all of your help guys!

jim

 

[jim]

InstallRite from http://www.epsilonsquared.com

Unfortunately doesn't work for some msi-based installs, but saves a lot of
time when a (compatible) program neeeds installing then lenghtily
configuring
on multiple PCs.

I have been in contact with the author of this app for more than 3 years.
He keeps talking about a phantom upgrade of the app, but has never released
it and will not place the source under the GPL so that others could develop
it and keep it going.

jim

 

[Robert Moir]

Why would you want to make buying your product as difficult as possible
for prospective clients?

Perhaps that's why I haven't seen them (or even heard of them) in years.

Thanks for all of your help guys!

fwiw we use Wise products at work, package studio I believe
http://www.wisesolutions.com/Wise/Products/Packaging/WhatsNew.aspx