SMSINST: Deleting Installer Packages Can Cause Removal of Shared .ini Files (257967)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer 2.0
Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0

This article was previously published under Q257967

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.

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	1/14/2006
Keywords:	kbClient kbConfig kbinterop kbPackage kbprb kbSoftwareDist KB257967