5 replies to this topic

[Matthias1967]

Hello,

I am trying to use transforms with an InstallShield 9 Basic MSI project, but it does not work so far.

We use multi-language setups, so some language-specific transforms already exist when I build the MSI file.

To test the transform mechanism, I opened the MSI file in the IDE, added a property "ThisIsANewProperty" with the value "Transform was here!" and saved as a Transform with the name "SetProp.mst" (in the same folder as the MSI file).

After this, the MSI file is left untouched and the new MST file (4 KB size) exists. Fine so far.

In order to apply the transform, I now open the MSI file again, add a property TRANSFORMS with the value SetProp.mst, and save it.

From what I read in the Windows Installer documentation, I now expect the Windows Installer to apply this transform before installing the MSI.

However, the log file does not look like my transform having been applied. At the beginning, the language transform (1033.mst, as I chose English in the language dialog) is copied to temp and validated, then there is a line

[Stefan Krueger]

Since the transform will modify the installaer database, I believe it has to be applied before the database is loaded and runs. In other words, it doesn't work from the property table. Instead it has to happen from the "outside", i.e. on the command line.

[Matthias1967]

Sorry, but I do not actually understand this.

Are there any transforms that do not modify the installer database?

In addition:

How do I tell InstallShield to have the windows Installer apply my transform? If I add TRANSFORMS=SetProp.mst to the MSI command line, I suspect (have not tried yet) that it will conflict with TRANSFORMS=1033.mst which is generated by the language selection in setup.exe.

[Stefan Krueger]

I meant: therefore you can't apply *any* transform by adding the TARNSFORM property to the Property table.

I haven't tried either but I'd expect that setup.exe would combine the transform command line arguments.

[Matthias1967]

It works!

However, I have not found it mentioned in the "Transforms" section of the Windows Installer documentation that you cannot add the TRANSFORMS property to the Property table.

[Stefan Krueger]

No it doesn't seem to be documented, it was just my 2 cents - that a msi package can't be modified using a transformwhen it's already running.