Modifications<tab> file-type selection for a PATCH file (*.msp)

[Wayne Russell]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to mention this, but here goes.

When deploying an MSI file with group policy, and using GPMC to edit a GPO,
under:

Computer Configuration > Software Settings > Software Installation > New >
Package...(selecct an MSI>choose "Advanced") Modifications<tab> > Add >

In this dialog, the label "Files of type:" pertains to a drop-down box so
that you can choose the file type (by extension) at apply to the MSI as a
modification. This is where you can apply a transform (*.msp). I do not see
a file-type selection for a PATCH file (*.msp) here, but I certainly do
expect to see it.

Am I doing something wrong here? I have looked at many docs in HELP and
online, but I can't find an answer (yet).

I can't seem to find an explicit "HOW-TO" to specify a PATCH file to be
applied with a GPO.

 

[Carolyn Napier [MSFT]]

In short, you can't deploy a PATCH file (*.msp) directly with group policy. The
method for distributing patches through group policy is to apply the *.MSP file
to the administrative image that you used as your deployment source. Then you
must "re-deploy" the installation.

The Windows 2000 Software Installation and Maintenance whitepaper <
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/administration/management/siamwp.asp >
has a brief discussion of patches and how they are to be deployed with .MSI
based installations.

For a more concrete example, consult the information posted for the Office 2000
SP3 update at < http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/xp/journ/O2ksp3a.htm >.
Specifically, look for the section "Applying Office 2000 SP3 under Windows 2000
and Windows XP". It provides an overview of the steps involved (updating the
admin image, redeploy, etc.)

Hope this helps,
- Carolyn Napier
Microsoft Windows Installer Team

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MSI FAQ:
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[Eleanor]

In the new book: "Upgrading Your Certification to Microsoft Windows Server
2003 Self-Paced Training Kit" ISBN 0-7356-1971-9 on page 6=48 at the bottom
it says "Modifications - You can indicate the modifications (transforms or
patches) you want to apply to the package and specify the order in which the
modifications apply to the package."

I have contacted MSPRESS but to date there is no mention of this at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;830865 .









In short, you can't deploy a PATCH file (*.msp) directly with group policy.
The
method for distributing patches through group policy is to apply the *.MSP
file
to the administrative image that you used as your deployment source. Then
you
must "re-deploy" the installation.

The Windows 2000 Software Installation and Maintenance whitepaper <
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/administration/management/siamwp.asp >
has a brief discussion of patches and how they are to be deployed with .MSI
based installations.

For a more concrete example, consult the information posted for the Office
2000
SP3 update at < http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/xp/journ/O2ksp3a.htm >.
Specifically, look for the section "Applying Office 2000 SP3 under Windows
2000
and Windows XP". It provides an overview of the steps involved (updating the
admin image, redeploy, etc.)

Hope this helps,
- Carolyn Napier
Microsoft Windows Installer Team

--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please do not send email directly to this alias. This alias is for newsgroup
purposes only.

MSI FAQ:
<http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/community/centers/management/msi_faq.a
sp>