Below is an high-level overview of what all tasks involve in evaluating and setting up a right application repackaging tool for x64bit Windows 7 platform:
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Tasks Involved in Evaluating Repackaging Software for Win7 x64 (replacing WPS on WinXP)
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Tool for capturing 64 bit application changes on Win7
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- Identify repackaging software with x64-bit snapshot capturing capabilities
- Select top products for further evaluation
- Symantec do not have plans to support x64-Bit repackaging at the moment
- Basic evaluation of x64-bit snapshot capturing with InstallAware Studio Admin
- Basic evaluation of x64-bit snapshot capturing with Flexera Admin Studio
- Basic evaluation of x64-bit snapshot capturing with Advanced Installer
- Evaluate other x64-bit snapshot capturing products in the market
- Cost comparision chart of industry leading and evaluated products
- Document Advance Installer usage
- Evaluate and configure default exclusions for AI
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In detail evaluation of Advanced Installer
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Evaluate regular repackaging functions
Test Application#1: Sybase x64 (verify if it handles big packages well)
Test Application#2: JDK x64 (specifically verify control panel entry)
Error checking and Validating MSI package (works with install of M$ MsiVal2)
Various Test Applications to test specific functionality of
– Services Management
– INI File modifications
– File Association management (Test with PDF-XChange Viewer x64-bit 2.x)
– ODBC DSN creation
– Transforms creation
+ Demerits
– #1 Doesn’t capture Environment variables
+ Notes
– #1 MSI’s created getting installed by 32-bit msiexec
– #2 Inaccurate Shortcuts capture for few packages like Sybase
– #3 Doesn’t list Control Panel applets in Control Panel section
+ Issues
– #1 Resolved: NO 24hrs support; Support hours: 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM IST (i.e., 2AM to 11AM EST)
Demo the product to other repackaging folks to hear their views and feedback
Action items from the Demo
– #1 System state capture at any time (without requiring application install)
– #2 Support for creating single MSI with compressed files
– #3 Retain Product Code across MSI builds/modifications
– #4 Answers to other queries raised
Conclude on usability w.r.t fulfilling our requirements & practices
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In detail evaluation of Flexera Admin Studio
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No 24hrs support available (works only in US and UK time zones)
Evaluate regular repackaging functions
– Test Application#1: JDK 1.6.18 x64 
0;
– Test Application#2: Sybase 15.5 x64
+ Demerits
– #1: Doesn’t handle packages with large number of files
+ Issues
– #1: .MSI build fails with ‘unrecongnised line in .nir file’ error
Investigated and came up with a workaround to this roadblock issue
– #2: InstallShield Editor hangs/crashes at times & you lose your changes
+ Difficulties
– #1: Can Services & File Extensions be managed at Features level?
– #2: Can we manage (create/view/edit) predefined folders?
– #3: Can we re-build uncompressed files after changes to package?
– #4: Assinging custom permissions to local/domain user/group & combination
– #5: Converting merge modules/redistributables into project componets
– #6: How to add files to “C:WindowsSystem32” folder?
Evaluate 32-Bit application repackaging (will be using JDK 1.6.18 x86)
Get next level or dedicated support to address our issues
Extend evaluation license
Conclude on usability w.r.t fulfilling our requirements & practices
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Evaluate Flexera Admin Studio to replace WPS
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Evaluate application repackaging on Windows XP
Test migration of package data available in WPS to Admin Studio DB
————————————————————————————Further evaluation of InstallAware Studio Admin
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InstallAware has plans to support server component to support conflict checking
Can we overcome/workaround missing file prompts during msi build
Evaluate regular repackaging functions
Conclude on usability w.r.t fulfilling our requirements & practices
———————————————————————————— Tool for capturing registry changes of 64 bit application on Win7
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Identify registry capture and monitoring tools for Win7 x64
Registry Monitoring Tool: Procmon64.exe monitors complete registry on Win7 x64
Registry Capturing and Comparing Tool
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