Configuring Repackage Installation Wizard

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When SMS Installer scans the reference computer during the repackaging process, SMS scans up to 32 levels in a directory tree and up to 64 levels in a registry tree. The files and script items that SMS Installer includes within a script are subject to the following limits:

  • A script can include up to 5,888 files. SMS adds one Install File script item for each file.

  • A script can include up to 8,192 script items (up to 5,888 Install File script items).

When you configure SMS Installer to repackage an application, consider the following issues:

Data conversion

If the original setup program upgrades or modifies data files, such as user database files, the Repackage Installation Wizard fails to capture the conversion. As a result, the SMS Installer-generated executable files are not installed correctly on the target computers. If the original setup program includes data conversion, do not use the Repackage Installation Wizard.

Hardware scans

If the original setup program detects hardware and the target computers do not have hardware and drive configurations that are identical to the reference computer, a repackaged SMS Installer installation might fail. If you cannot be sure that the reference computer and target computers have identical hardware and drive configurations, you can work around this constraint. Either modify the script after it is produced to query users for the necessary information or do not use Installation Expert. You might want to use Script Editor to prepare a script that runs the original setup file.

Shared network files

If the original setup program modifies shared or network files, test the repackaged installation program carefully and modify it by using Script Editor, if necessary. The Repackage Installation Wizard is very flexible, but if it tries to modify shared network files the installation might fail. If the Repackage Installation Wizard even references network files, the installation might fail. If you think this could be a problem for your installation, conduct extra testing to ensure that the repackaged installation file runs on all clients and under all user accounts.

For More Information

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