Software Extraxtion Tool

[gmas]

Hullo Guys

I've been creating an unattended XP Pro installation disk - with some success - user name, region settings etc. and even sound card drivers were no problem (found all of the sound card drivers in its Progam Files folder).

Intel INF files proved a bit of problem - although not really necessary as SP2 does install them - but I just was not able to extract the files from the downloaded setup file - infinst_enu.exe - also have a problem extracting ATi Catalyst Drivers.

Driver Collector is a great application for the Driver files - just pulls all existing driver files for a specific device from existing system.

What I really want to achieve is the extraction of for example, Applications

The -x command run from "Start - Run" just opens the application setup without letting me choose the destination folder.

Is there such a thing as a software extraction tool which one use to extract setup.exe files and even Install Shield exe files - and give a destination folder to extract too?

Have tried XAce but does not seem to recognise .exe file

Help will be appreciated

[droolian01]

I'm not sure if this would be of any use, but autoit3 was originally designed for non-attended software installations

Just google for'autoit3'

[TactX]

Originally posted by gmas
Is there such a thing as a software extraction tool which one use to extract setup.exe files and even Install Shield exe files - and give a destination folder to extract too?
Most applications that are being delivered as "setup.exe" (even InstallShield) are actually based on MSI (Microsoft Installer). The setup.exe will in most cases extract the .msi files (as well as .mst (MSI Transform Files)) to a temporary directory. If you get the directory before actually finishing setup, you can copy the *.msi/*.mst files and open/edit them with special Application like "Wise for Windows Installer" (which I have used).

I'm not sure if this is what you wanted, but if it is, the site www.appdeploy.com (http://www.appdeploy.com/) will propably be very interesting. You will find several instructions for specific applications.

Happy reading... :D

[gmas]

Wow - great resource link

Thank you TactX

Have bookmarked and will definetly spend some time there :D

[gmas]

Also, TactX - have tried that tip you suggest of finding the files before setup completes, ie before reboot - with view hidden and system files and view protected operating system files checkboxes unticked- somehow I just dont seem to locate them - will now search for *.msi and *.mst per your reply - thanx again