MAKEMSI quickly and reliably creates MSI files in a non-programmatic way\IntroductionQuick Start Guide (install, build small msi etc)Installing MAKEMSI

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Installing MAKEMSI

To install MAKEMSI:

1. If you want a server based install that users on other computers or an automated build can use then see the "Can MakeMSI be used Without Installing it on the Machine?" section.

2. If another version of MAKEMSI is already installed then ensure that you have closed any sessions and its documentation so that no files are in use. You can now manually uninstall the previous version if you wish however the install of the new version will also uninstall the previously installed one. Not that I expect any, but if an installation error occurs and you haven't manually uninstalled the previous version then please perform the uninstall first to help isolate the source of any problem.

3. MAKEMSI doesn't require Microsoft's Windows Installer SDK however I suggest you install it, if you do its better to install it before installing MAKEMSI as this can simplify configuration (as MAKEMSI's install will detect the SDK components).

   Apart from the local copy of Windows Installer documentation you may wish to install it to use:

   • MSIVAL2.EXE
     This should be installed unless you are using Windows 95, 98 or ME where its not used by MAKEMSI. It is used to validate the created MSI and so it is highly recommended that this be installed. The SDK installs "msival2.msi" (in the "bin" directory), double click on it to install this tool.

     If the tool is installed into its default location then MAKEMSI should automatically use it (otherwise more configuration will be required). If it is in its default location and it is not detected then have you rebooted since install?.

     If you want to install "MSIVAL2" in a non standard location (why?) then do not modify the environment variable MAKEMSI installed. You can override the macro "VALID_MSIVAL2_DIR" as the following example shows:

     #define VALID_MSIVAL2_DIR e:\program files\msival2  ;;Used before loading MSI header
     #include "ME.MMH"

   • ORCA.EXE
     I recommend that you also install this table editor as it is a very handy tool for checking that your MSI was created/updated the way you expected! Since MAKEMSI does not do MSI validation for Windows 95, 98 and ME this tool is the easiest way to perform the validation. You may also wish to increase the level of Row Validation being performed. The SDK installs "orca.msi" (in the "bin" directory), double click on it to install this tool.

   • The View Verbose MSI Log option
     If you wish to use the log viewer option which uses the "WILOGUTL.EXE" program the SDK installs.

   • The "DllCa-C" command requires that it be available.

4. You may wish to install info zip.

5. You should obtain the latest MAKEMSI MSI and start the installation (double click on it or right mouse click and select "Install"). It will install per-machine. If it finds any previous copy of the tool it will uninstall it first.

6. If the above did not even begin the installation process then you may need to look at the "INSTMSI.EXE" documentation. This may occur on WIN95, WIN98 or WINNT with little other software installed.

7. You need to log off then on after an install before MAKEMSI will work correctly. If this does not work (does on WIN2000 and WINXP) then try rebooting. This is generally only required the first time you install MAKEMSI however if you have any problems do so anyway

8. Ensure that your computer has "MakeCab.EXE" installed (Windows 2000 and XP seem to). The easiest way to check is to start a command prompt and type "MAKECAB.EXE /?", if you get syntax help it is there!

9. You may need to install "MergeMod.DLL" if you wish to include merge modules.

10. You may need to reboot
    If you get any dialogs requesting a reboot, you should always do so as soon as possible. If if you have reinstalled MAKEMSI you probably don't need to logoff or restart.

    I don't think a restart is required on XP even after the first install (reopen any command prompts!) but one would certainly be required on Windows 95, 98 and ME.

    Basically if you have any problems after an install or reinstall it is best to restart the computer.

11. Certain MAKEMSI commands may require other tools to be available.

12. Read the "Quick Start Guide" section. I'd also recommend you read the "Supported Operating Systems" section. You will probably wish to read the "available frameworks" section (most likely the "create new MSI installers" part).

13. Some antivirus software may display some false alterts that you should ignore.

Documentation and Shortcuts

There were some documentation and tool shortcuts placed into the start bar (StartProgramsMAKEMSI)..

The Windows compiled help documentation has a table of contents, index and can be searched. The searches can use "and", "or", "near" etc but if searching for words it might be safest to always use "*" for example "word*" will match on "word" and "words", for the maximum number of hits you could search for "*word*".

WARNING!!!

Never make changes (you need to keep) to any files in the installation directory as an uninstall or repair will probably remove your changes!

Missing Options or File Icons Wrong?

Note that if you have just installed MAKEMSI and you don't appear to be getting these facilities then you either chose not to install them or you need to shutdown and restart the computer.

The expected icons for files are (the following may not display correctly unless using IE):

• for .MM files

• for .MMH files

• for .VER files

If you don't see the above icons then you will probably need to fix your associations, this is accessed via the "File Types" tab in Explorer's "Folder Options", in the following picture you would need to press "restore":

Please email me any feedback, additional information or corrections. See this page online (look for updates) MAKEMSI© is (C)opyright Dennis Bareis 2003-2008 (All rights reserved). Saturday May 28 2022 at 3:11pm Visit MAKEMSI's Home Page