Installing the Windows 2003 SP1 Admin Pack on Windows Vista Beta 2 1

[markdmac]

The Windows 2003 SP 1 Admin Pack cannot be installed on a Windows Vista Beta 2 machine due to a version check in the installer. Since there is also a bug with the compatibility mode for elevated processes, you must modify the MSI file to remove the version check. Below are instructions for modifying the MSI.

Note that the same basic process may be used to correct version issues with other installers.

1. Download & install Windows Server 2003 SP1 Platform SDK from

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...43-E24F-4EA3-A93E-40C0EC4F68E5&displaylang=en

2. Install Orca.msi

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/e...mponents_for_windows_installer_developers.asp

3. Unpack adminpak.exe

4. Select adminpak.msi, Right-click and choose Edit with Orca

5. In the ‘Tables’ view (left pane) select ‘LaunchCondition’
Select in the right pane ‘Condition’ = (MsiNTSuitePersonal <> 1) AND ((VersionNT = 501 AND (ServicePackLevel >= 1 OR QFE_DSPROP = "Yes")) OR (VersionNT = 502 AND ServicePackLevel <= AdminpakServicePackLevel ) )

6. Select ‘Transform’ à ‘New Transform’

7. Edit ‘Condition’ = (MsiNTSuitePersonal <> 1) AND ((VersionNT = 501 AND (ServicePackLevel >= 1 OR QFE_DSPROP = "Yes")) OR (VersionNT = 502 AND ServicePackLevel <= AdminpakServicePackLevel ) ) to ‘Condition’ = (MsiNTSuitePersonal <> 1) AND ((VersionNT = 501 AND (ServicePackLevel >= 1 OR QFE_DSPROP = "Yes")) OR (VersionNT = 600 AND ServicePackLevel <= AdminpakServicePackLevel ) )

8. Select ‘File’,‘Save Transformed As…’ and save to AdminPak_Vista.msi

9. Close Orca

10. Install AdminPak_Vista.msi on computer running Windows Vista Beta 2.


I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

 

[markdmac]

Sorry folks I had meant to remove that first hyperlink as it is outdated and the second one is not a direct link. Use the following to get to the download page for Orca.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...B7B-B022-97755838DB94&displaylang=en#filelist

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

 

[Maugwa]

Could you explain how to unpack the .exe? I'm at a loss here.

 

[markdmac]

Launch the EXE from a command prompt with /?

Example: adminpak.exe /?

THere you will see the switches available. You want to use /T and /C.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

 

[Maugwa]

Thank you and have a Star!

 

[SgtSantan]

I was able to install the modified Adminpack, but can't get it to work. I keep getting a "MMC could not create the snap-in" for Active Directory Users and Computers. Has anyone been successful getting it to work after installation?

 

[SgtSantan]

Managed to get the Admin pack to work. I had to logon with the Bilt-in Administrator account and install the admin pack from there. Then using my Domain user account used the tools from Control Panel and Admin tools.

 

[dragon927]

I went through the local admin, but it still doesn't work. AD just isn't grabbing the right info somewhere? Any other help out there?Thanks

 

[markdmac]

Microsoft is currently going through the final sign-offs for a VIsta compatible version of the Admin Pack. The coding is already done, now it is just up to the stake holders to sign off on the security etc. We should see this be made public very soon.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript