User Error

I recently figured out a better way to get MYOB Premier to deploy via MSI that the previous method that I posted. This method basically stops the MSI from checking if it’s been run by a bootstrapper (Setup.exe). I’ve tested this with Premier 11 and 12 and it deploys fine on XP and Vista.

It can be done by simply creating a transform (MST) file using Orca. This is advantageous over importing the MSI into Advanced installer for the following reasons:

1. You’ll be using MYOB’s original MSI file
2. You don’t need to make any changes to the MSI file itself. All changes are specified in the transform file.

This will install Premier to the root of C drive, which is MYOB’s default location. For example, Premier 11 will be installed to C:\premier11.

You’ll need Orca installed. Instructions for Premier 12 are below. For Premier 11, follow the same instructions - but take note of point 4.2.2

1. Copy the default MSI and CAB files from the CD to your deployment share.
2. Right-click the MSI and choose “Edit with Orca”
3. Go to the Transform menu, and select “New Transform”. Any changes you now make to the MSI will be effected in a separate “MST” file.
4. Make the following changes:
1. In the CustomAction table:
   1. Select “ISVerifyScriptingRuntime” and press delete (or right click on it and choose “Drop Row”
   2. Do the same for ISSetupFilesExtract
   3. Do the same for ISSetupFilesCleanup
2. In the Directory table:
1. Change directory “KEY_NAME_SC” DefaultDir to “MYOB|MYOB” (without the quotes)
2. If deploying Premier 11:
1. Change directory  “ISYourCompanyDir” to MYOB|MYOB
2. Change directory “ISYourProductDir” to PREMIE~1|Premier11
5. Go to the Transform menu, and select “Generate Transform”. Save the transform file into the same network share/folder as your MSI and CAB file
6. You’re now ready to deploy Premier. Ensure you take note of the key points below:
   1. Make sure you choose the ‘Advanced’ Deployment Method, when you start adding the package to the policy.
   2. Assign the software package to the computer, in the “Computer Configuration” section of the policy.
   3. In the “Modifications” tab, make sure you specify the transform file that we created above.
   4. In the “Deployment” tab, be sure to check the “Uninstall this application when it falls out of the scope of management” checkbox.

If you’re not experienced in deploying software via MSI, the following links may be useful:

• How to use Group Policy to remotely install software in Windows Server 2003: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816102
• How to assign software to a specific group by using Group Policy: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302430/