Win 2K RIS

[daverji]

I am using Win2K RIS for installing and upgrading systems to XP in a Win2k domain using AD.
All applications comes with a .msi installer package.
I'd like to use Group Policy to install the software using the msi files in order to keep up with patches and upgrades. However most of the software doesn't use the default install options. I couldn't find too much info about this on Microsoft's website either.
Can anyone give me a few tips on creating and using .mst files in conjunction with the .msi install? Any recommendations on third party software to use for creating an msi package?
Is it better to use Group Policy for application installation or the RIS image?
I'd also appreciate any info about your experience with RIS and software install.
Thanks you very much.

 

[bignick]

on the win2k cd you should find wininstall le, which will allow you to re-pack changes as *.msi files.


for pushing out updates in a pure win2k environment do-

1. setup a reference machine
2. install wininstall LE on your server, share it's application folder (make it hidden, i.e. msi$)
3. from the prototype machine run wininstall LE for the initial part of the process. map a drive, or use UNC to get to it on the server.
4. install all your updates, make your registry changes, add any applications your want, etc. keep in mind that the more changes made, the bigger the msi file(s) will be.
5. reboot, run wininstall LE again to build the resulting package.
6. copy the resulting package to the server, and fire up GPO to push out the updates.

when you run wininstall LE and it asks for a place to store the initial snapshot, and resulting snapshot on a drive, that isn't being scanned, (i.e. not c.

for IE, or security/virus scan updates assign those to be machine specific, not user specific in the GPO mmc.


that's about it. it's really easy after you do it a few times.

 

[daverji]

That is so helpful.
It's all just details from here..............
Thanks again.