how to create a msi or mst file

[susie]

Hi all
Can anyone tell me how to create a MSI file or MST
Transform File?
What components need to be installed for this to work. I
would like to push a Windows 2000 OS Patch out to our
users. I would also like to create these for other
applications too
Any imput on this subject is very much appreciated and
welcomed
Thank you in advance
Susie

 

[Brendon Rogers]

There are a number of tools which can convert a legacy exe package into an
MSI. WinINSTALL LE 2000 and 2003 are free tools which come with Windows
Server 2000 and 2003 respectively (also for download from www.ondemand.com)
.. www.wise.com and www.installshield.com produce fulll blown repackaging
tools.

www.appdeploy.com might be a good place to start researching; although I
haven't tried to repackage a W2K OS patch (we use Software Update Services
from MS) I don't believe its recommended.

 

[Brendon Rogers]

Oops - www.ondemand.com is for Crystal Reports.

www.ondemandsoftware.com is for WinINSTALL LE.

 

[susie]

Thanks for your help Brandon.
In order to use software update services from MS do you
have to have a 2000 Server?
Our network is Novell 5.1 based and I usually push out
applications and updates with Zenworks for Desktops. Since
we have so many different pc types, one of the problems I
encounter is it reboots some pc's continually. It would
be nice to only have to do one push without overriding
files.
Thanks again, Susie

 

[Brendon Rogers]

Yes, SUS is a free tool from MS which runs on Windows 2000 server and is
functions similarly to an inhouse version of Windows Update.

Check out http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/windowsupdate/sus/default.asp
for more info. Keep in mind SUS will only handle critical updates for
Windows 2000 and later.

If you're a Novell shop I don't know whether the purchase of a 2000 server
would / could be justified. I haven't worked on Novell stuff since 4.11
with the NAL technology, so no idea whether Novell has a solution for this.