Creating Install Types

Install Types specify the environments in which the software can be installed, the location of the installation kit, and the commands to be used during the installation. Because many packages support different types of installation for different operating systems, different types of user, and different optional components, you can create multiple install types for each package.

All Package Definitions have at least one Install Type, and some may have several. Install Types supplied with Vector AM are given names such as Admin (for installations to Windows NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista systems that require the use of accounts that have Administrator privileges), and Typical (for installations to Windows 95, 98 and Me platforms).

To display a Install Types for a software package, expand the package entry in the tree, then expand the Install Types. Select an Install Type to view its settings.

To create a new Install Type:

1    In the tree, expand the Software Package you want to work with, right-click Install Types and choose Add Install Type from the shortcut menu. The Add New Install Type dialog is displayed.

2    Enter a name for the Install Type in the Name field and click OK. The new install type is added to the selected package.

3    In the tree, expand the Install Types section of the package and select the new install type.

4    Enter a Description for the Install Type.

5    In the Platforms supported section, select the operating systems with which this Install type can be used.

6    To specify a default location for the package's installation kit, click Browse and enter the location and name of the kit in the Path Builder dialog. If the kit location is protected, you must also enter the details of an account that can be used to access the kit. When you have entered the details, click OK to continue.

Alternatively, to specify the location of the kit path when you install the package using the Distribute Software operation, leave the field blank.

7    In the Install command field, enter the installation command for the software package and the parameter switches you want to use to control the install. For installations to Windows 95 or later operating systems, you can include environment variables, such as %TEMP% in the command line.

Note You can also include Package Definition Tokens in the command your Install Command field.

8    Choose the installation options for this install type.

9    If you want Vector AM to check that sufficient free space is available for the package before attempting to install it, select the target drive in the Free space drive list, then enter the minimum space required in the Size (MB) field.

10   In the Start prompt field enter the message to be displayed on Client PCs before the installation starts.

To delete an Install Type, right-click on the Install type in the tree, then choose Remove Install Type from the shortcut menu.

Notes

    If an installation requires responses from the PC user (for example, to enter their name), then make sure Visible is selected.

    Do not select Visible if you are using a batch file to perform the installation. Client PC users can interrupt a batch file and use it to gain access to a privileged command prompt.

    To prevent installations from failing silently due to insufficient disk space, include a free space check.

Related Topics

Specifying Summary Information

Pre- and Post-Process Information