SMSINST: Repackage Does Not Use Variables in .ini File Edits

• Microsoft Systems Management Server, versions 1.1 and 1.2
• Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer, version 1.0

SYMPTOMS

When you use the repackage feature on a Windows 95 client, .ini file edits which should reference variables, use the hard-coded equivalents instead. When you use the same repackage feature on a Windows NT client, it uses the variables correctly. If a user changes the default directory when installing the repackaged .exe file, any .ini file paths which should use the variable are now incorrectly referenced.

MORE INFORMATION

The following example shows how the problem may be exhibited. Repackaging Microsoft Office 95 Professional causes file edits to the Powerpnt.ini file and when running under Windows NT, produces the following settings when C:\MSOFFICE is selected as the installation directory:

[MS PowerPoint Translators] PP7TRANS1=,%MAINDIR%\Powerpnt\PP7TRANS.dll,PP7 PP7TRANS2=PowerPoint 7.0 Presentations,%MAINDIR%\Powerpnt\pp7trans.dll,PPT PP7TRANS3=PowerPoint 7.0 Templates,%MAINDIR%\Powerpnt\pp7trans.dll,POT

The same repackage under Windows 95 produces the following:

[MS PowerPoint Translators] PP7TRANS1=,C:\MSOFFICE\POWERPNT\PP7TRANS.dll,PP7 PP7TRANS2=PowerPoint 7.0 Presentations,C:\MSOFFICE\POWERPNT\pp7trans.dll,PPT PP7TRANS3=PowerPoint 7.0 Templates,C:\MSOFFICE\POWERPNT\pp7trans.dll,POT

WORKAROUND

Prior to repackaging on Windows 95, make the following changes:

1. On the View menu, click Installation Expert.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server Installer version 1.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.