DOCUMENT:Q257967 17-FEB-2001 [sms] TITLE :SMSINST: Deleting Installer Packages May Remove Shared INI Files PRODUCT :Microsoft Systems Management Server PROD/VER::2.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbinterop kbClient kbConfig kbsms200 kbPackage kbsmsInst kbSoftwareDist ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer version 2.0 - Microsoft Systems Management Server version 2.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== You may experience the following problem when you remove a package that shares files from a workstation: When multiple programs that write to the same file, such as Lotus.ini, are packaged and distributed by using Systems Management Server (SMS) Installer, you may find that when you remove the first package, you also remove the shared file. CAUSE ===== This behavior occurs because SMS Installer lists the shared .ini file as a component of the first package. So, by removing the first package, you are also removing the file, whether or not it is in use by other programs. This behavior occurs because of the design of SMS Installer. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods: - Create a separate package that creates the file on the local computer. You can then install this package first, before other dependent packages are distributed. This ensures that the shared file will still exist when you remove the programs. - Include the shared file as part of a standard workstation build. In doing so, the file will already exist (it can be a 0 byte file) on all workstations. When packages are rolled out, they can then edit the file. MORE INFORMATION ================ For example, many Lotus products will share the same Lotus.ini file. This is not a problem unless you decide to remove the package that you installed first. Additional query words: prodsms ====================================================================== Keywords : kbinterop kbClient kbConfig kbsms200 kbPackage kbsmsInst kbSoftwareDist Technology : kbSMSSearch kbSMS200 kbSMSI200 Version : :2.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.