MSI - show list of files

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pwall
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:30 am

MSI - show list of files

Post by pwall »

Hi.

If I use ORCA to look at an MSI, one of the properties is 'Files'. However, this property is always empty.
Is there an option in InsatllAware to propagate this property ? I've seen other msi's (visual studio) that do fill this property, I'm hoping that InstallAware can as well.

Discalimer: I did search via google, the on-line help and this forum but didn't find anything pertaining to this question.
FrancescoT
Site Admin
Posts: 5361
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:28 am

Re: MSI - show list of files

Post by FrancescoT »

Dear User,

I suppose you are not using the correct file.

If your package is compressed, you should look at the MSI copied to the local temporary directory*.
Otherwise, produce an uncompressed build and point to the msi created under the folder release\uncompressed.

*Note, when a compressed package is executed its contenent is expanded to a local temp directory.

Hope this helps you.
Francesco Toscano
InstallAware Software

White Papers (HowTos) - http://www.installaware.com/publication ... papers.htm
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pwall
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:30 am

Re: MSI - show list of files

Post by pwall »

Hi Francesco. Thnanks for the response.

Here is a screen-shot using the 7zip.msi as an example. I've edited the msi with ORCA, and selected 'Files'. it lists all the files that are in the msi that get installed.
msi_files1.jpg
msi_files1.jpg (193.36 KiB) Viewed 5544 times
When I create our msi's using InstallAware, and I use ORCA to edit and select 'Files', the list of files in the msi that get installed is empty. The msi works fine, everything installs and as is good.
I'm curious to see if I can get InstallAware to provide this information. It would be a useful feature for us.
Here is an example of one of the msi's that I create.....
msi_files2.jpg
msi_files2.jpg (86.04 KiB) Viewed 5544 times

Thanks!
Patrick Wall
FrancescoT
Site Admin
Posts: 5361
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:28 am

Re: MSI - show list of files

Post by FrancescoT »

Dear Patrick,

as I previously said, you are inspecting the wrong file.

The msi file generated by InstallAware is a compressed container that embeds internally the effective msi file.
When this packaged is executed, its contenents is expanded to a local temp directory, which contains the correct msi file that you have to use.

Otherwise, produce an uncompressed build and point to the msi created under the folder release\uncompressed.
The uncompressed build reflect exactly the same contents structure, that you have when a compressed build it is temporary expanded to a local directory.

Regards.
Francesco Toscano
InstallAware Software

White Papers (HowTos) - http://www.installaware.com/publication ... papers.htm
Publications - http://www.installaware.com/publications-review.htm
InstallAware Help -F1 anywhere in the InstallAware IDE
pwall
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:30 am

Re: MSI - show list of files

Post by pwall »

Ok, I understand now.
I build a new msi, uncompressed, which didn't make any difference.
HOwever, I executed the installed and 'found' the imbedded msi, and it has all that info.

Thanks!

Patrick.
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