The HelpMaster MSI file can be used to automate deployment of the HelpMaster Desktop and any other HelpMaster modules for that matter.
Unfortunately a limitation is that you cannot use the normal Windows Installer command line switches to choose which components will be deployed. This is where the transform file comes into play.
What is a Transform?
A Transform (*.MST) file allows you to collect installation options for programs that use the Microsoft Windows Installer in a file. They can be used on the Installer (MSIEXEC.EXE) command line, or used in a software installation Group Policy in a Microsoft Active Directory domain.
How do I create one?
We will use Orca, a free utility from Microsoft, to generate the Transform. This Microsoft Knowledge Base article tells you how to obtain and install Orca:
support.microsoft.com/kb/255905
- Launch Orca, click File/Open, navigate to the HelpMaster *.MSI file and click Open. For current versions of HelpMaster, the filenames are HelpMasterSetup_11.10.18.29.MSI and HelpMasterSetup_11.10.18.29_x64.MSI.
- Click Transform/New Transform
- In the Tables pane, click Property.
- Click Tables/Add Row. The Add Row dialog box opens.
- Click the Property row and enter ADDLOCAL.
- Type the names of the Features you want included in this installation, separated by commas. (See below.)
- Click OK.
- Click Transform/Generate Transform and save the MST file with a descriptive name.
What are the HelpMaster features, and how do I specify them?
Here is a list of the HelpMaster features as stored in the MSI file;
feature_CoreComponents
feature_Desktop
feature_DatabaseWizard
feature_EmailManager
feature_PriorityManager
feature_ActiveDirectory
feature_WebInterface
Add the comma-separated features that you wish to be deployed to the VALUE field of your new ADDLOCAL property. For example if you wish to deploy the HelpMaster Desktop only enter feature_CoreComponents,feature_Desktop as per the example in the image above. Note that the 'feature_CoreComponents' feature is required for all module deployment EXCEPT the Web Interface (feature_WebInterface). You now have your transform file that you can use for deployment.
How do I use the MST?
On the command line
MSIEXEC HelpMasterSetup_11.10.18.29.msi TRANSFORMS=MyTransform.mst
In a Group Policy Object
1. Create a new Software Installation Package in the Computer Settings node of Group Policy Object Editor.
2. Select the helpMaster MSI file, and then click Advanced. (This is the ONLY opportunity you will have to apply a Transform to this Package.)
3. On the Modifications tab, click Add and select the MST file you created.
All done!