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The Microsoft® Windows® Installer (MSI) is the application installation and configuration service for Windows. Version 4.5 of the Windows Installer has several new features, including:

  • Multiple Package Transaction: In a multiple package transaction, you can create a single transaction from multiple packages. In a multiple package transaction, a chainer is used to dynamically include packages in the transaction. If any of the packages do not install as expected, you can roll back the installation.

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In earlier versions of Windows, it might have been necessary to re-register the Windows Installer files in the registry (an example) if those files became damaged or corrupt. Beginning Windows Vista, damaged system files needed by Windows Installer can be repaired automatically.

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The first three years of the Hey, Scripting Guy! column (give or take a month) gathered together in one fully-searchable archive. This HTML help file includes all the text, graphics, and hyperlinks for well over 800 Hey, Scripting Guy! columns.

This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows

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Application Verifier is a runtime verification tool for unmanaged code that assists in quickly finding subtle programming errors that can be extremely difficult to identify with normal application testing.

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This release of Windows Script brings the improvements in scripting made during the Vista development cycle to downlevel platforms. The primary reason for changing the version number from 5.6 to 5.7 is to simplify servicing and support by synchronizing the versioning to a consistent scheme based on Vista build number. The minor version increase does not indicate significant new features. The scripting feature set is substantially the same as 5.6, with only minor additions. This is the fastest, most robust, and secure release of Windows Script available.

Improvements have been made with JScript, VBScript & Windows Scripting Host. This release also contains fixes prescribed in various Microsoft KB Articles. For complete details, download the Release Notes for Windows Script 5.7

When building a DIM reference into an InstallShield project, you may see that OS Conditions evaluate the ‘Greater Than’ conditional statement as ‘Equals’.

Applies to Product(s):

  • InstallShield 2008 Premier
  • InstallShield 2008 Professional

Project Type: Windows Installer, InstallScript MSI

Solution:

Per InstallShield Support, this is due to an issue present in InstallShield’s DIM Import module.

Download new DimImport.dll & Resolute

Windows Script is a comprehensive scripting infrastructure for the Microsoft Windows platform. Windows Script provides two script engines, Visual Basic Scripting Edition and Microsoft JScript, which can be embedded into Windows Applications. It also provides an extensive array of supporting technologies that makes it easier for script users to script Windows applications. Learn more…

The download of Windows Script 5.6 for Windows XP and Windows 2000 installs Microsoft Windows Script containing Visual Basic Script Edition (VBScript.) Version 5.6, JScript Version 5.6, Windows Script Components, Windows Script Host 5.6, and Windows Script Runtime Version 5.6. A detailed documentation can also be downloaded from Windows Script 5.6 Documentation

System Administrators and/or Software Packagers/Engineers often require usage of Windows Scripting Technology and it’s sub-sets for smoother application package authoring and/or deployments.

References:

AdminStudio includes a standalone, zero-footprint setup for Repackager. This allows you to install Repackager by itself on a clean machine to repackage applications. The repackaged setup can then be transferred to a build machine with AdminStudio installed or copied to a network location. The download is in the form of a setup.exe that should be launched on the clean machine.

Beginning with AdminStudio 8.5, the standalone Repackager is available on the installation DVD in the Tools folder entitled “StandaloneRepackager.exe”. 

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Building an .inc file that contains certain shortcut entries can lead to an error during the build. A message indicating “An unknown error occurred” is present in the build log, after shortcut information is displayed, and an .msi file will not be created.

This is caused by a bug present in AdminStudio 6.0 with or without Value Pack 1.

Download the HOTFIX (islc.exe) & Steps for Resolution

The installation terminates when the progress-bar dialog runs. A log of the installation indicates error 2755:1639. An error message indicating incorrect command-line parameters is also seen in the log file.

Usually the exact error message is:

Error 2755: Server returned unexpected error.
Error 1639 is a system return code indicating that Windows Installer received an invalid command line argument.

Project Type: Windows Installer, InstallScript MSI

Possible CAUSE & RESOLUTIONS 

This article explains how to determine if the current user is an administrator on Windows or the root user on Unix, and how to halt the installation and display an error dialog when this current user criterion is not met.

This article applies to the following:

Product(s):

  • InstallShield X Premier, InstallShield 10.5 Premier, InstallShield 11 Premier
  • InstallShield X Professional, InstallShield 10.5 Professional, InstallShield 11 Professional
  • MultiPlatform 4.x, MultiPlatform 5.x, FLEXnet InstallShield MultiPlatform 11.5

Project Type: Universal Installer
Operating System(s): Windows 95/98, Windows NT, Solaris (SPARC), MAC OS, Linux, MAC OS X, AIX, Windows 2000/XP, All Windows, Windows Vista

What does this mean and how to troubleshoot?

Channel 9 has posted a very good video concerning “Windows 2000 to Windows Vista: Road to Compatibility”. This is especially targeted for developers who should make changes to their applications to run smoothly on Windows Vista. A conceptual knowledge of User Account Control is also explained which seems to impact software not following Windows Logo Program for XP and Vista.

Video Link

Microsoft says:

In an effort to provide customers with more secure products, Microsoft Windows Server “Longhorn” and Microsoft Windows Vista will only support SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later when it becomes available. Earlier versions of SQL Server, including SQL Server 2000 (all editions including Desktop Engine edition, a.k.a MSDE), SQL Server 7.0, and SQL Server 6.5, will not be supported on Windows Server “Longhorn” or Windows Vista. Customers running applications with these earlier versions of SQL Server should consider evaluating and upgrading to SQL Server 2005, which was designed to take advantage of the upcoming security and performance enhancements in the operating environment.

That means, applicaiton developers are to be aware that running an older version of SQL as stated above, the application has higher chances of “incompability” on the soon to be RTM’ed Vista and Longhorn thereafter. Setup Engineers and Application Packagers must inform or follow-up with the application programmers/developers OR vendors to have this information relayed for application stability in Vista & Longhorn.

Microsoft has outlined some necessary information how to upgrade to current supported version along the earlier message release. Read more here.

Windows PowerShell is a new command line shell and task-based scripting technology that provides information technology (IT) administrators comprehensive control and automation of system administration tasks, increasing administrator productivity. Windows PowerShell includes numerous system administration utilities, consistent syntax and naming conventions, and improved navigation of common management data such as the registry, certificate store, or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). Windows PowerShell also includes an intuitive scripting language specifically designed for IT administration.

Between November 06-10, 2006 Microsoft Script Center is organizing Windows PowerShell Week, a series of five Webcasts to be held on TechNet. These Webcasts will provide you with a thorough introduction to Windows PowerShell.

All Webcasts begin at 11:30 AM PST (Pacific Standard Time)

1. And Now for Something Completely Different: Introducing Windows PowerShell

You?ve probably heard by now about this new technology from Microsoft first called ?Monad? and now officially named Windows PowerShell. What is this? Do I want to learn this? Do I have to learn this? Where do I get it? How does it work? Not to worry, the Scripting Guys are here to answer your questions. In this first of five Webcasts you?ll be introduced to Windows PowerShell and given an overview of how it works and what it?s all about.
Monday November 6, 2006

2. One Cmdlet, Two Cmdlet, Three Cmdlet, Four: An Introduction to Windows PowerShell Commands

“Doeth the Eagle mount up at thy commaund?” No, that?s not a typo; apparently, that’s how the word command was spelled back in the 1700’s. Boy, how things have changed: the word is now spelled Cmdlet, or at least it is if you’re a Windows PowerShell user. In this webcast the Script Guys explore these new beasts known as Cmdlets, the heart and sound of Microsoft?s new command shell/scripting technology.
Tuesday November 7, 2006

3. Objects, Objects Everywhere: Working With Objects in Windows PowerShell

One of the coolest new features introduced by Windows PowerShell is the ability to work with objects directly from the command line. Although WSH scripters are somewhat familiar with the concept of objects, as a Windows PowerShell user you need to live and breath objects. In this webcast, the Scripting Guys explore all things object in Windows PowerShell. If you listen carefully and don’t speak out during the presentation, they?ll even help you instantiate an itty-bitty .NET object for you to call your own.
Wednesday November 8, 2006

4. New Kid on the Script Block: Writing Scripts with Windows PowerShell

Yes, Windows PowerShell is a great tool for working at the command line; however, it?s an equally good tool for writing scripts. In day 4 of Windows PowerShell week, the Scripting Guys introduce you to the fine art of writing scripts with Windows PowerShell.
Thursday November 9, 2006

5. Amazing But True: Things You Never Dreamt You Could Do With Windows PowerShell

In this, this fifth and final Windows PowerShell Week webcast, you?ll see definitive proof that the Loch Ness monster exists; you?ll meet a man who was abducted by aliens; and you?ll hear from a real, live ghost. But that?s nothing: just wait until you see some of the incredible things that can be done with Windows PowerShell.
Friday November 10, 2006

Register for the Webcasts

Resources:
Windows PowerShell: FAQ’s
Scripting with Windows PowerShell
Microsoft Script Center
Windows PowerShell Blog

Previously, DevInstall had posted an Event relating to Webcast: 10 More Commandments for Software Packaging: Focus on Vista Migration. If you missed the live Webcast which was on October 25, Macrovision has now made that available on-demand. Building on the popular 20 Commandments for Software Packaging, this new set of commandments apply to migration projects, and will show you which tools can help you perform these tasks. If you are getting ready for a Vista migration today, take the time to view this Webcast.

10 More Commandments include:

  1. Plan your Project
  2. Learn the New Feature Set
  3. Create your Team
  4. Build your Test Network
  5. Filter Features
  6. Analyze Application Compatibility
  7. Package for Production
  8. Rely on Workflows
  9. Test, Test, Test
  10. Learn your Lessons

Ofcourse, the speakers expand and present these bullets in greater detail with demos.

Speakers:

Nelson Ruest
Wes Day
Michael Snyders

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View Megh Neupane's profile on LinkedIn

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