How do you extract .msi files from setup.exe's?

[Python007]

This is my first posting on here, so i'll say a big HI to everybody

i'll get straight to the point, because I'm sure someone, such as 'Cueball' can help me here...........

I've read the 'Call Of Duty' CD-2-DVD conversion thread, and big thanks to 'Cueball' for supplying the .msi........

My question to 'Cueball' is - did you extract the .msi file from the Setup.exe file?

If so, how did you do it? - I have looked for some sort of program to do this, but i'm either looking in the wrong places, or I don't know exactly what to look for!

If not, then I presume the .msi was created from scratch - can you provide any pointers, so that I can maybe have a go at creating my own .msi

The reason why I'm asking is - because I have done the CD-2-DVD conversion on a game called 'Perimeter' and want to patch the .exe on installation BUT, although this is successful, I get the CRC error, when the installer comes across the .exe (the one with the Abort, Retry and Ignore message)

The game executable is visible in the CD's root folder, and the data1.cab/hdr etc points to it's location BUT the file is not visible when you list using i6comp (a ghost file?)

I remember coming across this when converting my GTA vice city to DVD too, where the gta-vc.exe exists in the root folder.

I did read a spanish site, where someone used i6comp to add the gta-vc.exe file to the 'File group' (57) using i6comp i.e.

i6comp a -g57 data1.cab gta-vc.exe

BUT, I tried this on Perimeter (the App Executables group is 31) (i6comp a -g31 data1.cab Perimeter.exe) - and it did not work

I tried using winpack and deleting the file group to re-create it but it did not even delete the old file group!

I would love to know how to extract .msi's from setup.exe's (if that's how you do it)

Sorry for the long post - I hope someone takes the time to reply and help me out.

Thanks

[Morglum007]

Go to the setup DVD folder, look for the setup.ini file and check this:

CheckMD5=Y

Change it to

Check MD5=N

Save, and burn. No more CRC error anymore.

TIP: U have similar conversion in a lot of games explained on the same web site in spanish u visited. And, furthermore, there is an english forum there to questions like this.

Hope it helped u.

Good luck!

[Python007]

Thanks Morglum007 - your a star

I'd spent days searching the 'net for ways to extract the .msi from the setup.exe to no avail

I'm still interested in how 'Cueball' developed the .msi for Call of Duty tho'

[Cueball]

i made it from scratch mate using commercial software, had to do it in my workplace as the software i used is too expensive just for what i needed it for

can't remember the software right at the moment but will take a look when I get back to work if you really are interested in knowing what it is.

[Python007]

Hiya Cueball,

Yeah, i'm still interested.......

You say u made it from scratch?

Was it difficult?

I would say that my knowledge of PC coding lies somewhere between novice and expert.........if it helps, I have cracked (without external help) the 'innosetup' install routine's, which gave me a bit of a buzz for this 'cracking' thing.

After doing the installers I would love to learn how to crack the executables themselves - I used to do it during my teens (80's) with 8-bit 6502 assembler and later on using 32-bit RISC (Acorn machines), but then again, it might be over my head nowadays.

Regards

[Cueball]

ok the program is Installshield (version 10 is the one used at work, but I believe there is a newer one now)

it was relatively easy for COD, with a hell of a lot of testing from Grumpy & Reddragon.

the program itself is virtually wizard run but does need some modifying after, however you need to know what reg keys and such the game makes, you can use a tool called regmon to find this out

there are quite a few games that can't be converted to dvd because of the setup routine used, ie Call of Duty, so if you feel like using a good few days up and spending a bit of cash on the software I'm sure there will be plenty of people who would be very grateful.

I was going to look at Soldier Of Fortune 2 but just not had the time lately, if I get time i will do.

oh and I didn't crack it mate, I just worked around it

EDIT: the link for the software: http://www.installshield.com/products/installshield/

http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Regmon.html

[Python007]

Cool m8

I was looking at Filemon, and had a little play, so see what files were been installed during the setup installer for Perimeter.

I presume Regmon is made by the same company who made Filemon.

i'm ok at modifying .msi's, but when it comes to creating them, I might get stuck.

it's a shame there is no way of decompiling the setup.exe to extract the .msi file

That's why I like innosetup, because you can use innounp to extract the .iss script and file cabinets, make your adjustments, then repackage i.e. I have done a successful patch install on Restricted Area