Packaging Questions Set4

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*What is Application Packaging?

Creation of an Installation Program for a piece of Software

* What is Application Repackaging?

Repackaging (Customized Installation) is the process of capturing the changes made by

an Installation Program (Package) and it is designed to support company standards anddistribution methods.

* What are the steps of Repackaging?

o Review the packaging requirements with the projects sponsor

o Analyze the vendor package (Tech Review)

o Repackage the application (Scripting)

o Customize the packageo Test the package

o Release the package to end users

* Why it is required & what are the problems in Legacy Installation?o Customized Installation

o Reduce Support Costso Self Repair

o Source Resiliency

o Unattended Install

o High Support Costso Fragile Installs & Uninstalls

o Difficult & labor Intensive to deploy

* What Applications Should Not Be Repackaged & Why?

o Existing MSI packages should be deployed as they are.o If you repackage an application and find that it references the MSI.DLL file, it is betternot to repackage the application.

o Microsoft Office 2000 and XP are good examples.

o Applications containing system files managed by the Windows File Protection featuresof Windows 2000 and later are also to be avoided, such as Internet Explorer, Windows

Service Packs and certain hotfixes.

All these applications are hard coded to use the Windows Installer service, and may makecalls back to certain locations within the original MSI package.

* What are the types of Packaging tools?

o Wise for Windows Installer

o Install Shield

o SMS Installero Marimba

* What are the types of Deployment tools?

o Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS)

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o Altiris Client Management Suite

o Altiris Notification Server Console

o Radia

* What is Windows Installer?

It is a built-in Operating System service for Installing and Managing Applications. Itprovides a standard method for developing, customizing, installing and updating

applications.

* Benefits of the Windows Installer?

o Advertising

o Installation on Demand

o Repair (Self-healing)o Rollback (Transactional operations)

o Managed Shared Resources

o Installation in locked-down environments

* What are the types of Setup Captures in Wise / Install shield?

In wise there are three typeso Virtual Capture : Creates a clean virtual OS on your computer, and the installation is

redirected in the clean virtual OS.

o SmartMonitor : Watches the installation and records the changes the installation

performs.o Snapshot : Scan the computer before and after the installation and record the

differences between the first scan and the second.

In Install Shield there are two types

o Installation Monitor : Repackager watches lower-level system activities and records

related changes made to the system by the setup(s) programso Snapshot : Scan the computer before and after the installation and record the

differences between the first scan and the second.

* MSI Installation Mechanism (Background Mechanism)?

o Acquisition

The Installer first installs the feature and then progresses through the actions specified in

the sequence tables of the installation database. These actions query the installationdatabase and generate a script that gives a step-by-step procedure for performing the

installation.

o ExecutionThe installer passes the information to a process with elevated privileges and runs the

script.

o RollbackIf an installation is unsuccessful, the installer restores the original state of the computer.

When the installer processes the installation script, it simultaneously generates a rollback

script. In addition to the rollback script, the installer saves a copy of every file it deletes

during the installation. These files are kept in a hidden, system directory. Once the

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installation is complete, the rollback script and the saved files are deleted.

* What is a MSI?

MSI is Microsoft Windows Installer. It is an installation, in the form of a single file. It

is actually a database that contains several tables (80+). Each of these tables contains

instructions and set-up information. In wise there are 120 (87+33) tables.

* Structure of MSI?

o Products (Collection of Features)o Features (Collection of Components)

o Components (Collection of files and Registries)

* What is Product?

Product is an Application.

* What is Feature?

Features are buckets for Components. Windows Installer configuration commandsoperate only on Features (installing, advertising, Uninstalling). Self-healing, install-on-

demand and user profile fix-up operate at the Feature level.

* What is Component?

Components are collections of resources that are always installed or removed as a unit

from a user's system. A resource can be a file, registry key, shortcut, or anything else thatmay be installed. Every component is assigned a unique component code GUID.

* What is Registry, Tell the Structure & types of Registry?

The Registry is a single place for storing information about the Windows OS (Hardware

& Software).

Structure+ Root Keys / Subtrees

+ Subkeys

+ Hives+ Entries

Types

+ Machine-Specific (HKCR, HKLM, HKCC, HKU)+ User-Specific (HKCU, HKU)

Root Keys

+ HKEY_CLASS_ROOT (HKCR)

+ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)+ HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)

+ HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)

+ HKEY_USERS (HKU)

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* What are Shortcuts & Types?

Shortcuts are the entry points to the applications installed on the system which is

normally points to a file.

o Advertised (File should be Installed by the Application)

o Non Advertised (File that is not part of Installation. It is also called Command Lineshortcuts)

* What are INI File & its format?

INI files are plain-text files that contain configuration information. "INI" stands for

initialization.

[Section]Keyname=value

* What are Services & its types?

A windows service is a background process which is loaded by the Service ControlManager of the OS.

o Win32 Service (Win32 services are the services which is running by the executable fileinstalled by the Application).

o System or Kernel Services (Kernel services are the services which are used by the OS

to communicate to the hardware devices).

* Where is Service information stored?

Most of the Service information is stored in the windows registry

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Name of the Service

* In the MSI, which tables contain information about the service details?

o ServiceInstall (Service Details)o ServiceControl (Controlling the service during Installation & UnInstallation)

* What is ODBC & DSN and its types?

ODBC means Open Database Connectivity. The purpose of ODBC is to allow the user to

access data from any application.

The layer between the application and the DBMS called DSN.

o System DSN (DSN will be available for all users)o User DSN (DSN will be available for that particular user)

* What is File Association?

The Windows operating system recognizes file types and associates them with programs

based on their file extension.

A file that carries no extension or no associated program is called Orphaned.

* What is Environment Variable & its types?

Environment Variables are the variables that are set by the Operating System &

Application.

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o System Variable (Available for all users)

o User Variable (Available for that particular user)

* What is Property & types of Properties, give some Examples?

Properties are global variables that the Microsoft Windows Installer uses during an

installation.

o Private

The installer can be use only internally (values cant be changed during the run time).# Manufacture, ProductCode, ProductID, ProductName, ProductVersion

o Public

The installer can be uses both internally & externally (values can be changed during therun time also).

# INSTALLLEVEL, .

o Restricted PublicThe user cant change the value both internally & externally due to security purposes.

# ALLUSERS, REBOOT, REINSTALLMODE

* What is the Use of the following Properties?

+ ALLUSERS (Null, 1, 2)

User - Per-user, Not valid, Per-userAdmin - Per-user, Per-machine, Per-machine

+ REBOOT (Force, Suppress, ReallySuppress)Always prompt for a reboot at the end of the installation.

Suppress prompts for a reboot at the end of the installation. But the user can still prompt

by using ForceReboot action.Suppress all prompts for reboots during the installation.

+ REINSTALLMODE (to specify the type of reinstallation of the Application)p - If file is missing

o - If file is missing or if an older version is installed.

e - If file is missing or an equal or older version is installed.

d - If file is missing or a different version is installed.c - If file is missing or the stored checksum doesn't match the calculated value.

a - Force all files to be reinstalled.

u - Rewrite all required user specific registry entries.m - Rewrite all required computer-specific registry entries.

s - Overwrite all existing shortcuts.

v - Run from source and re-cache the local package. Do not uses the v reinstall option forthe first installation of an application or feature.

+ REINSTALL (List of features to be Installed)

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+ RebootRequired (Prompts for Reboot)

Yes - Prompt for Reboot

No - Wont Prompt for Reboot

+ ADDLOCAL (Features to be Installed locally during Run Time)

+ ADDSOURCE (Features to be run from source)

+ INSTALLLEVEL (Which features to be Installed)

* What is Merge Module?

Merge modules are a mechanism in Windows Installer that allows companies toprepackage and share standard component definitions. Merge modules are used to deliver

shared code, files, resources, registry entries and setup logic to applications as a single

compound file.

* What are all Merge Module tables?

ModuleSignature, ModuleComponents, ModuleDependency, ModuleExclusion,ModuleAdminUISequence, ModuleAdminExecuteSequence, ModuleAdvtUISequence,

ModuleAdvtExecuteSequence, ModuleIgnore, ModuleInstallUISequence,

ModuleInstallExecuteSequence, ModuleSubstitution, ModuleConfiguration

* How the Merge Module is working (Background mechanism)?

Merge Module is working by checking the version, size & date of the file. If the file is

Dll or OCX, it will check the version, other files like text it will check the Size & Date. Itworks by the Mechanism of Shared Dlls Count concept which is stored in the Registry

information

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDlls\

* You can create Merge Module for text file, how?

Yes you can create Merge Module for the text file also. It will works by the mechanism

of checking the file Size & Date.

* What are the types of Installation modes?

All Windows Installer package should be Installed by the following command line

Msiexec /Option [Optional Parameter]

o Install Options

+ /I - Installs a product+ /j - Advertise a product

u - Advertises to the current user

m - Advertises to all users of machine

g - Language identifier

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t - Applies transform to advertised package

+ /a - Administrative Installation

+ /x - UnInstalls a product

o Display Options (during Installation & UnInstallation)

+ /quiet - no user interaction+ /passive - unattended mode

+ /q - sets user interface level

n - No UIn+ - No UI except for a modal dialog at the end

r - Reduced UI with no modal dialog at the end

b - Basic UI

b! - Basic UI with hide cancel buttonb+ - Basic UI with a modal dialog at the end

b+! Basic UI with a modal dialog at the end & hide cancel button

b- - Basic UI with no modal dialog at the end

b-! - Basic UI with no modal dialog at the end & hide cancel buttonf - Full UI

+ /help - help information

o Restart Options

+ /norestart - Do not restart after the Installation

+ /promptrestart - Prompts the user for restart if necessary+ /forcerestart - Always restart the computer after Installation

o Logging Options (Writes logging information into a logfile at the specified existingpath. Default is 'iwearmo')

+ /l - I - Status messages

w - Nonfatal warningse - All error messages

a - Start up of actions

r - Action-specific recordsu - User requests

c - Initial UI parameters

m - Out-of-memory or fatal exit information

o - Out-of-disk-space messagesp - Terminal properties

v - Verbose output

x - Extra debugging information+ - Append to existing log file

! - Flush each line to the log

* - Log all information, except for v and x options+ / log Equivalent of /l*

o Update Options

+ /update

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+ /uninstall

+ /p - Applies a Patch

o Repair Options (Repairs a product)

+ /f p - only if file is missing

o - If file is missing or an older version is installed (default)e - If file is missing or an equal or older version is installed

d - If file is missing or a different version is installed

c - If file is missing or checksum does not match the calculated valuea - forces all files to be reinstalled

u - All required user-specific registry entries (default)

m - All required computer-specific registry entries (default)

s - All existing shortcuts (default)v - Runs from source and reaches local package

o Others

+ /m Generates an SMS status .mif file+ /? Or /h Displays the copy rights for

Windows Installer

+ /y Calls the system function DllRegisterServer to self-register modules passed in on the

command line.

+ /z Calls the system function DllUnRegisterServer to Unregister modules passed in onthe command line.

+ /c Advertises a new instance of the product

+ /n Specifies the particular instance of the product

* What is the difference between /qb, /qb-, /qb! ?

See the above answer.

* How to give Permission for files, folders & Registry keys in MSI?

In the MSI, we can give permissions through Lock Permission table.

* How to give Permission for files, folders & Registry keys through VB Script &

what is the syntax?

We can give permission for files & folders through VB Script by using the CACLS &

XCACLS commands. CACLs should only run on NTFS partitions.

CACLS Changes Access Control ListS

Cacls [/T] [/E] [/C] [/G user: perm] [/R user [...]] [/P user: perm [...]] [/D user [...]]

o /T Changes ACLs of specified files in the current directory and subdirectories

o /E Edit ACL instead of replacing it

o /C Continue (ignore) access denied errors

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o /G user : perm where access rights granted can be: R

C F (read, change, full control)

o /R user Revoke specified user's access rights (only valid with /E)

o /P user: perm Replace specified user's access rights. Permission can be: N R C F (none,read, change, full control)

o /D user Deny specified user access

E.g. cacls c:\myfile.txt /E /G : F

In VB Script the syntax as

On Error Resume next

Set Wshell = CreateObject (Wscript.Shell)

Wshell.Run cacls c:\myfile.txt /E /G : F

* What is VB Script?

VB Script is a Microsoft Scripting language that means it is a lightweight programminglanguage. It is a light version of Microsoft's programming language Visual Basic. It is

used to add interaction for the web page projects.

* What is Wise Script?

I never worked on.

* Tell some objects in the VB Script & when & why it is used in the Application?

o Class Object :- Provides access to the events of a created class

o Dictionary Object :-Object that stores data key, item pairso Err Object :-Contains information about run-time errors

o FileSystemObject Object :-Provides access to a computer's file system

o Match Object :-Provides access to the read-only properties of a regularexpression match

o Matches Collection :-Collection of regular expression Match objects

o RegExp Object :-Provides simple regular expression support

* How to install only one particular feature during the Installation through

Command line?

msiexec /i ADDLOCAL=

* How to disable ARP Details during the Installation through Command line, tell

some ARP properties?

msiexec /i ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT=1

o ARPAUTHORIZEDCDFPREFIX

o ARPCOMMENTS

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o ARPCONTACT

o ARPINSTALLLOCATION

o ARPNOMODIFYo ARPNOREMOVE

o ARPNOREPAIR

o ARPPRODUCTICONo ARPREADME

o ARPSIZE

o ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENTo ARPURLINFOABOUT

o ARPURLUPDATEINFO

* During Installation how to take a back up copy of the Application through

Command line?

I never tried check it out.

* What is Dll Cache folder?During the process of SFC (System File Checker) or WFP (Windows File Protection), it

will scan all the protected files (.SYS, .DLL, .EXE, .TTF, .FON, and .OCX extensions) toverify their versions. If the versions are not correct, it will replace the particular files

from the back up folder called DLL Cache folder.

* What is SFC?

SFC means "System File Checker." It is a command-line utility that scans the operating

system's files to ensure that they are the correct ones (original Microsoft files). But it can

be run or scheduled manually only.During the process, it will scan all the protected files (.SYS, .DLL, .EXE, .TTF, .FON,

and .OCX) to verify their versions. If the versions are not correct, it will replace the

particular files from the back up folder called DLL Cache folder

* What is Windows File Protection (WFP)?

WFP is also one Utility tool which will do automatically.Some applications will replace the system files (SYS, .DLL, .EXE, .TTF, .FON, and

.OCX) with different files of the same name or with same file with different versions. If

the files are in a protected folder, then Windows File Protection automatically determines

which file was affected, and looks up the file signature in a catalogue file to see if the fileis the correct Microsoft version, and if it is digitally signed. If it is not, then the correct

file will be copied over it from either the winnt\system32\dllcache folder, or from the

Windows CD.

* How Do I Control Windows File Protection (WFP)?

All registry settings for WFP/System File Checker are located inHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\

Winlogon.

By default, only Administrators and System will be able to modify these settings.

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SFCDisable (REG_DWORD)

0 = enabled (default).1 = disabled, prompt at boot to re-enable (debugger required).

2 = disabled at next boot only, no prompt to re-enable (debugger required).

SFCScan (REG_DWORD)

0 = do not scan protected files at boot (default).

1 = scan protected files at every boot.2 = scan protected files once.

SFCQuota (REG_DWORD)

n = size (in megabytes) of dllcache quota.FFFFFFFF = cache-protected system files on the local hard drive.

SFCShowProgress (REG_DWORD)

0 = System File Checker progress meter is not displayed.1 = System File Checker progress meter is displayed (default).

SFCDllCacheDir (REG_EXPAND_SZ)

Path = local location of dllcache directory (default is %Systemroot%\system32\dllcache).

* What is Advertisement?

It means that, the Availability of an application to users or others with out actually the

full Installation. There are two types of Advertisingo Assigning

An Application appears (shortcuts, files & registries) to a user or others, when an

Application is assigned. When the user tries to open, it is installed upon demand.o Publishing

No Entry points appear to a user or others, when an Application published to the group.

It is activated only if the group Application activates the published Application i.e.Installation on Demand.

* What is Advertised Feature & Component?

If a Feature or Component is advertised, only the interfaces required for loading andlaunching the application are installed to the user or others. If a user activates an

advertised interface the installer then proceeds to install the necessary Components &

Features.

* What is Installation on Demand?

When a user or application activates an advertised feature or product, the installerproceeds with installation of the needed components.

* What is Transform?

A transform is a windows installer file with the extension (.MST). It should be used along

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with a MSI to customize or change the installation package without modifying the MSI.

The installer can only apply transforms during an installation.

* What are the types of Transform?

o Embedded transform

Embedded transforms are stored inside the .msi file of the package.

o Secured transform

Secured transforms are stored locally on the user's computer in a location where, on asecure file system, the user does not have write access. Such transforms are cached in this

location during the installation or advertisement of the package. During subsequent

installation-on-demand or maintenance installations of the package, the installer uses the

cached transforms.

o Unsecured transform

Transforms that have not been secured are called unsecured transforms. To apply an

unsecured transform, pass the transform file names in the TRANSFORMS property orcommand line string during the installation.

* How to Create Transform in Wise / Install Shield?

In Wise Package Studio, by using Install Tailor or New Project - other templates -

Transform

In Install Shield Admin Studio, by using the New Project - Transform

* How many Transform can be created for one Vendor MSI?

Any Number

* How many Transforms can be supplied in the Command line?

Any Number

* What is Custom Action?

The Microsoft Windows Installer provides many built-in actions for performing theinstallation process. For some cases the developer writes an action to execute his own

installation is called custom action

* What are the types of Custom Actions?

o DLL file stored in a Binary table stream

o DLL file that is installed with a product

o EXE file stored in a Binary table streamo EXE file that is installed with a product

o Displays a specified error message and returns failure, terminating the installation

o EXE file having a path specified by a property valueo EXE file having a path referencing a directory

o JScript file stored in a Binary table stream

o JScript file that is installed with a product

o JScript text specified by a property value

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o JScript text stored in this sequence table

o VBScript file stored in a Binary table stream

o VBScript file that is installed with a producto VBScript text specified by a property value

o VBScript text stored in this sequence table

o Property set with formatted texto Directory set with formatted text

o Installation of a package nested inside of the first package. See Nested Installation

Actionso Installation of a package that resides in the first applications source tree. See Nested

Installation Actions

o Installation of an application that is advertised or already installed. See Nested

Installation Actions

* What are the types of Sequences in the Custom Actions?

o Normal User Interface

o Normal Execute Immediate / Deferredo Administrative User Interface

o Administrative Execute Immediate / Deferredo Advertisement Execute Immediate / Deferred

* What are the types of Conditions in the Custom Actions and what is the use?

o Not Installed - During Installation onlyo REMOVE - During UnInstallation only

o NOT REMOVE - During both Install & UnInstall

* What are the types of In Script options in the Custom Actions?

o Immediate Execution

Immediate custom actions, can be sequenced anywhere within any of the sequence tables.It has access to the installation database (read & set installation properties, modify feature

& component states, add temporary columns, rows, and tables).

o Deferred Execution User Context

Deferred custom actions can only be sequenced between the InstallInitialize and

InstallFinalize actions in execute sequence tables. It doesnt have access to the

installation database. Deferred custom actions are not executed immediately. Instead theyare scheduled to run later during the execution script. The execution script isn't processed

until the InstallExecute, InstallExecuteAgain, or InstallFinalize action is run.

If the Current User doesnt have the elevated privileges (Custom actions make changes inthe system directly), the custom actions should run in Deferred Execution in User

Context only.

o Rollback only

This Action should be executed during the Installation of the Rollback script or if the

Installation is Unsuccessful

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o Commit only

This Action should be executed during the Installation of the Commit script.

o Deferred Execution System Context

Deferred custom actions can only be sequenced between the InstallInitialize and

InstallFinalize actions in execute sequence tables. It doesnt have access to theinstallation database. Deferred custom actions are not executed immediately. Instead they

are scheduled to run later during the execution script. The execution script isn't processed

until the InstallExecute, InstallExecuteAgain, or InstallFinalize action is run.

If the Current User have the elevated privileges (Custom actions make changes in the

system directly), then it should run in Deferred Execution in System Context only.

* What is the difference between Immediate Execute / Deferred Execute in the

Custom Actions?

o Immediate custom actions, can be sequenced anywhere within any of the sequence

tablesDeferred custom actions can only be sequenced between the InstallInitialize and

InstallFinalize actions in execute sequence tables

o Immediate custom actions have access to the Installation database

Deferred custom actions doesnt have access to the Installation database

o Immediate custom actions can only run in the User Context

Deferred custom actions can run both in the context of the user and elevated using the

system context.

* What is the difference between Deferred in System Context / Deferred in User

Context in the Custom Actions?

If the Custom action which installs or modify a file under the INSTALLDIR or

Installation should be run in Deferred in User Context

If the Custom action which installs or modify the system file directly should be run in

Deferred Execution in System Context

* What are the types of Processing Options in the Custom Actions and what is the

use?

o Synchronous

Windows Installer runs the custom action synchronously to the main installation. It waitsfor the custom action to complete successfully before continuing the main installation.

o Synchronous, ignore exit codeWindows Installer runs the custom action synchronously to the main installation. It waits

for the custom action to complete before continuing the main installation; the action can

be either success or fail.

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o Asynch, wait at end of sequence

Windows Installer runs the custom action simultaneously with the main installation. At

the end it waits for the exit code from the custom action before continuing.

o Asynch, no wait

Windows Installer runs the custom action simultaneously with the main installation. Itdoesnt wait for completion of the custom action and doesnt check the exit code also.

* What are the types of Scheduling Options in the Custom Actions and what is the

use?

o Always Execute

This action execute in all sequences

o Run first timeThis action execute only the first time Windows Installer encounters it.

o Run once per process

This action execute only one time either Execute sequence that should not run if the

installation is running in silent mode.o Run only if UI sequence was run

This action execute only if either Execute sequence is run following User Interfacesequence.

* What is Launch Condition?

Launch Condition is used to check system requirements on the destination computer

* What is App Search?

App Search action is used to search for existing versions of products (Files, Registry, INI,Directory & Component)

* What is Isolated Component, why we are using and its types?

It means that to prevent overwriting of previous versions of shared components, and

ensures that other applications do not overwrite your version of shared components.

o Manifest file concepto Local file concept

* What is the MSI Assembly tables & its use?

MSI Assembly tables specify Windows Installer settings for Microsoft .NETFramework assemblies and Win32 assemblies. It is used for the registration of .Net

Assembly files.

When installing assemblies to the global assembly cache, the installer cannot use the

same directory structure. Assemblies can exist only once in the assembly cache.

Assemblies are added and removed from the assembly cache atomically

* What is the latest version of Windows Installer?

The latest version of Windows Installer is 4.0

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* What is the difference between Wise Package Studio & Install Shield Admin

Studio?

Both tools are more or less same, but as per my knowledge for capturing part InstallShield is good, it wont capture unnecessary files & registry keys and for editing the MSI

or .wsi or .ism, Wise is better because Wise GUI is good.

I found lot of bug in Install Shield only

o GUI part

o Shortcut Icon (other than executable files)o Directory table (INSTALLDIR)

o Create unnecessary entries while editing the MST

o Product language property wont change in the MSI after the compilation, default 1033

o Create unwanted component & create folder entry while editing any componento Component names

o It wont validate the MSI if that MSI is installed in the local system

* What is Conflict Management?When two or more applications install the same system files (DLLs, .VBXs, and .OCXs),

Windows registry, and other items. To detect, Conflict Management should be use andfor resolve the software conflicts, Application Isolation concept should be use

* What are the types of Deployment (Software Distribution)?

o Group policy (Active Directory)o Software Update Services (SUS)

o Windows Update Web site

o Systems Management service (SMS)

* What is Software Distribution?

One of the more critical aspects to managing a Windows environment is the ability todeploy new applications, updates, upgrades & patches. Distributing new or updated

software is called as Software Distribution.

* What is Group Policy (GPO) & how to set it?

Administrators use Group Policy to define options for managing, configuration of

servers, desktops, and groups of users. It is used to set policies across a given site,

domain, or range of organizational units.Use gpedit.msc in the run command to set the policy.

* What is Elevated User & how to create it?

If the user having the privileges of MSI features (Windows Installer) is called as Elevated

User You can create through gpedit.msc in the run Command or registry keys

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer

Type : DWORD Key: AlwaysInstallElevated Value : 1

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* What is Wrapper MSI?

It means that the Application (MSI) is packaged by calling the Exe (Executable file)

inside the MSI (Internally calling the source or exe).

* What is Lock down environment?

Software restriction policies provide administrators with a Policy-driven mechanism toidentify software running on computers in a domain, and control its ability to execute.

This policy can be used to block malicious scripts, help lockdown a computer, or prevent

unwanted applications from running.

* How do deploy the Package?

o Group policy (Active Directory)

o Software Update Services (SUS)o Windows Update Web site

o Systems Management service (SMS)

* What is IntelliMirror?IntelliMirror management technologies is a set of powerful features for change and

configuration management. It ensures that users data, software, and personal settings areavailable when they move from one computer to another, and persist when their

computers are connected to the network.

Microsoft divides IntelliMirror's features into the following four categories:

o User Data Management :. IntelliMirror supports the mirroring of user data to the

network and local copies of selected network data.

o Software Installation and Maintenance : IntelliMirror allows you to centrally managesoftware installation, repairs, updates, and removal.

o User Settings Management : IntelliMirror allows you to centrally define computing

environment settings for both users and workstations.o Remote Installation Services : IntelliMirror allows you to image workstations with the

Windows 2000 Professional operating system

* What is Active Directory?

Deploying applications through the Active Directory is done through the use of group

policies, and therefore applications are deployed either on a per user basis or on a per

computer basis.

* What are the other tools which are used during the testing & solving the Issues in

the Application?

o Picture Taker

o Windows Install Master

o Install riteo RegMon

o FileMon

o CsDiff

o Icon Extractor & Icon Builder

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o RegExtractor

o WiLogUtl

o WiseComRego ResourceW2K

* What is Orca tool & what is the purpose and Advantages?This tool is a Microsoft product. It is used for edit the MSI Databases (tables).

o No limitation for the table entries

o Easy to edit the Databaseso If you edit any tables and give save, only those tables will be modified, but in Wise or

Install Shield all the tables will change

* Why multiple MSIExec is running during the Installation?

Windows Installer uses a client-server model for performing installations. Additionally

for security reasons, Windows Installer hosts DLL and script custom actions in a

"sandbox" process. Depending on how the install was initiated, one of the MSIExec

processes can be the client process (Current User). Another MSIExec process isWindows Installer service (System).

* Which drive your Application will Install, C drive has less space and D drive has

more space? Why & how to solve?

It will install D drive only due to Windows Installer features.

We can solve by adding WindowsVolume entry in the directory table as parent ofTARGETDIR

* What is a Patch?

Patching is a streamlined process for updating earlier versions of a Windows Installer

setup package i.e. when you update only files that already exist in your installation

package. Only the package code is changed.

* What is Upgrade?

Upgrade is a process of updating the earlier versions of a Windows Installer setuppackage i.e. Adding, changing & deleting new Files & Registries. But here product code,

product version & package code should be changed.

* What are the types of Upgrades and what is the difference?

o Small Update

A small update is a product update that changes a few files or possibly adds some new

content. But there is a limitation for the changes that can be made to the feature-component structure for the package. Only the package code is changed. It is also called

as a "Hotfix" or Quick Fix Engineering (QFE).

o Minor Upgrade

A minor update is a product update that makes enough changes. But there is a limitation

for the changes that can be made to the feature-component structure for the package. The

package code & product version is changed for the product. It is also called as a Service

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Pack.

o Major UpgradeA major update is a product update with a large number of changes. There is no

limitation for the changes that can be made to the feature-component structure for the

package. The package code, product code & product version is changed for the product.It is also called as a "Product Upgrade.

* How you validate the MSI?

In Wise Package Studio, by using Package Validation option by selecting the MSI with

the default Cub file or Browse your own Cub file.

In Install Shield, by Build - Validate- Default Cub file or Browse your own Cub file.

* What is ICE?

It means Internal Consistency Evaluation. ICEs are used to validate installation

packages.

* Give some ICE Error number and tell how to solve the ICE Errors?

There are totally 96 ICE Errors and 14 ICEM Errors in the Windows Installer. Someexamples are as follows

o ICE03 - Basic data and foreign key validation

o ICE18 - Validates the KeyPath column of the Component table when it is NULL.

o ICE21 - Validates that all components in the Component table map to a feature in theFeatureComponents table.

o ICE33 - Checks for entries in the registry table that belong in other tables.

o ICE38 - Validates that components installed under the user's profile use a registry keyunder HKCU as their key path.

o ICE64 - Checks that new directories in the user profile are removed in roaming

scenarios.o ICE57 - Validates that individual components do not mix per-machine and per-user

data.

o ICE59 - Checks that advertised shortcuts belong to components that are installed by thetarget feature of the shortcut.

oICE81

oICE50

* What are the File types of Application Packaging?

o WSI - Microsoft Windows Installer Project file

o ISM - Install Shield Project fileo MSI - Microsoft Windows Installer

o MST - Microsoft Transform

o PCP - Windows Installer Patch Project fileo MSP - Microsoft Windows Installer Patch

o WSM - Microsoft Windows Installer Merge Module

Project file

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o MSM - Microsoft Windows Installer Merge Module

o EXE - Executable file

* How to install the .Exe file through silent mode?

Normally all the .Exe file can be Installed silently by / s. But it depends up on the .EXEfile behavior.

* How to register the DLL manually?

By using the command line option regsvr32. For example

1. regsvr32 Dll name For Register the Dll

2. regsvr32 /u For Unregistered the Dll

3. regsvr32 /s For Silent register

* What is COM Component?

The Component which is having the COM information entries is called as COM

Component. If the component is COM Component, it should have entries in the Class,ProgID, Registry & Typelib tables in the MSI.

For example most of the merge module components are called as COM Component(MSCOMCTL.ocx, COMCTL.ocx )

* How the COM Component is working (Mechanism)?

COM Component is working by the mechanism of Windows Installer Tokens. It isnothing but Advertising.

This token triggers the Windows Installer to check for the key files of the relevant feature

and parent features of an MSI. If these tokens are deleted the self healing mechanism isnot invoked. Windows installer tokens should never be part of the registry table of an

MSI. They are created at install time by the msiexec service due to the way the MSI has

been authored using advertising.

These tokens exist in 3 forms.

o Tokens within .lnk files that indicate to the OS that they are Windows Installer

advertised shortcuts.

o Tokens for advertised file extensions.

o Tokens for advertised COM Dll information.

They have the following structure.

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* What are the default Windows Installer properties?

o [AdminToolsFolder]C:\Document and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\

o [AppDataFolder]

C:\Document and Settings\Current User\Application Data\

o [CommonAppDataFolder]

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C:\Document and Settings\All Users\Application Data\

o [CommonFilesFolder]

C:\Program Files\Common Files\o [DesktopFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Desktop\

o [FavoritesFolder]C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Favorites\\

o [FontsFolder]

C:\Windows\Fonts\o [LocalAppDataFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Local Settings\Application Data\

o [MyPicturesFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\My Documents\My Pictures\o [NetHoodFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\NetHood\

o [PersonalFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\My Documents\o [PrintHoodFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\PrintHood\o [ProfilesFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\

o [ProgramFilesFolder]

C:\Program Files\o [ProgramMenuFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\

o [RecentFolder]C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Recent\

o [SendToFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\SendTo\o [StartMenuFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\

o [StartupFolder]C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

o [System16Folder]

C:\Windows\System\

o [SystemFolder]C:\Windows\System32\

o [TempFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Local Settings\Temp\o [TemplateFolder]

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User\Templates\

o [WindowsFolder]C:\Windows\

o [WindowsVolume]

C:\

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* What are the default Environment settings in XP?

o ALLUSERSPROFILE

C:\Documents and Settings\All Userso APPDATA

C:\Documents and Settings\current User\Application Data

o CommonProgramFilesC:\Program Files\Common Files

o COMPUTERNAME

System Nameo ComSpec

C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe

o HOMEDRIVE

C:o HOMEPATH

C:\Documents and Settings\Current User

o ProgramFiles

C:\Program Fileso SystemDrive

C:o SystemRoot

C:\Windows

o TEMP

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Tempo USERNAME

Current User

o USERPROFILEC:\Documents and Settings\Current User

o Windir

C:\Windows

* What is Package Code?

The Package Code is a GUID identifying a particular Microsoft Windows Installerpackage. It associates an .MSI file.

* What is Product Code?

The Product Code is a GUID identifying a particular Application or product.

* What is the difference between Static & Dynamic scanning?

o Static Scanner : This scanner looks at all the files included in the project and checks forany dependencies. It then recommends all the possible dependencies and allows you to

add them to the project.

o Dynamic Scanner : The Dynamic Scanner monitors the system for dynamically loadedfiles in memory while running the application file. Use the dynamic scanner to launch

your application and test the controls in the application. Some of these controls load files

in the memory that are picked by the dynamic scanner. This scanner then recommends all

these files in the form of a list from which you select or deselect files. All the selected

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files are added to the project by this scanner. The dynamic scanner is more robust than

the static scanner and certainly picks more dependencies.

* What is the Event Viewer, how to open & what is it use?

It is a Windows utility tool in the OS. You can open by giving eventvwr in the run

command also.It is used to view all exceptional events occur in the OS and also for the System

administrator to track the performance of the OS.

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