98 / XP package merge

[CChong]

I've built an MSI / .EXE for Windows XP. This install won't work on a 98 box though. Is it possible to build another package from a 98 box and then somehow merge the two into one setup.exe or one MSI that would check and then determine which OS is installed and then install the corresponding package to the machine.

Thanks in advance.
Brian

[TsungH]

It is possible. Depending on the size and complexity of the MSIs, the merge may not be done with reasonable commercial efforts.

Robert mentioned about a tool on merging two MSIs. You may want to check it out.

[CChong]

Is there a better way to build a package that has an intended audience of both 98 and XP?

[CChong]

If it is the same standard MSI, you could make a transform with an Installscript Custom Action that detects:

If version < 401, etc.. then install Win98transform.mst

But if version = 5-1, then install WinXPtransform.mst

OR... have a VBscript as the front end that checks the O/S version... if it equals Win98, then run the win98.msi, but if it is WinXP, then run the winxp.msi...

NOW...getting VBscript to run in Win98 will take extra work and extra files...but in WinXP, you can use wscript.exe or cscript.exe (built in)

If you used SMS or WinInstall, etc.. you could make an exe for windows 98....