SMSINST: Installer 2.0.148.00 Repackage Changes Registry Entry from "%1" to <SystemRoot> (321320)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer 2.0
This article was previously published under Q321320

SYMPTOMS

A Systems Management Server (SMS) Installer version 2.0.148.00 repackage changes registry entry from "%1" to <SystemRoot>. This may prevent software from running.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, put a "dummy" variable name in the second variable of the Parse String script item.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When you repackage, compile, and run a program with SMS Installer 2.0148.00, a registry entry value (the registry path may vary from one program to another) under HKEY_CLASS_ROOT\APP.Document\shell\open\command (or DDEEXEC) changes from "%1" to "\WINNT". After this registry entry is changed, running a program file from anywhere on the computer displays the following error message:
There was an error opening this document. The file does not exist.
This problem occurs in the Parse String script item, which is part of the default script that is created when you use Installation Expert. The string that is parsed is the WIN variable. This is typically similar to C:\WINNT. The line is split at the colon (:); the first part of the string (such as C) is placed in the SYSDRIVE variable. Because there is no variable defined for the second part of the string, it should be discarded, but Installer creates a NULL variable that is equal to WINNT. Therefore, if %% is used later in the script to reference the percent (%) sign, the NULL variable is references instead. Because the NULL variable has been set to WINNT in the Parse String script item, %% is evaluated as WINNT.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/16/2002
Keywords:kbBug kbprb KB321320
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.