Obtaining a tuner and creating a transform file to customize Notes installation

You can use an MSI tuner to create a transform file or new setup installation executable for customizing some aspects of Notes® install or upgrade. You can then specify that the Notes installer uses the values in the transform files instead of default values.

About this task

Use this procedure to create an MSI transform file (.mst) using the supplied IBMNotes.itw and IBM Notes version .msi files in combination with the InstallShield Tuner for Notes. Once you have created the transform file (or customized setup.exe) you can use it when installing or upgrading Notes.

Prior to creating the transform, do the following:
  • Make a backup copy of the supplied IBMNotes.itw and IBM Notes version .msi files. These files are supplied with the Notes install kit and are unique to each Notes release.
  • Create a work directory for the tuner configuration process you are about to perform. For example, create a directory called My Tuner Stuff and place the IBMNotes.itw and IBM Notes version .msi files you'll work with in that directory.
  • Determine the types of values you want to customize with the transform and how.

Obtain and install the tuner

About this task

Creating a transform file requires that you obtain and install a third-party tool such as the InstallShield Tuner for Notes. The InstallShield Tuner for Notes is available from the HCL License and Delivery Portal. During download, accept defaults and when download is complete click Launch to start the Tuner installation process.

Create a transform file to customize Notes installation and upgrade

About this task

These instructions provide basic information about creating a tuner file (.mst) or creating a new MSI installation executable (setup.exe). For specifics, see the help supplied with the Tuner utility.

Note: Using an MSI tuner to create a transform file enables you to customize your supplied Notes installer, however the Tuner lets you access system settings that can wreck havoc if you make errors. Only tune as needed. When in doubt, there is help provided with the InstallShield Tuner for Notes. Options that are typically configured with the Tuner include program directory, data directory, shared data directory, notes.ini file settings, and install type (InstallType=2 = All client install; InstallType=6 = Notes client only).

Procedure

  1. Start the Tuner by clicking Start > All Programs > IBM Applications > InstallShield Tuner for Notes.
  2. As prompted, browse to and select the .itw configuration file, for example IBMNotes.itw and click Open.
  3. Read the Welcome screen and click Create a New Transform.
  4. As prompted, browse to and select the .msi file supplied with the Notes install kit, for example IBM Notes version .msi.
    Note: The supplied .msi file name reflects the supplied Notes version.
  5. Accept the default output transform file name, for example Notes version.mst, and path.
  6. Do not enable the Transform Response checkbox.
  7. Click Create.
  8. Make any desired modifications to the default settings provided.
  9. Click File > Save.
    Note: To package your changes into a new setup.exe install executable do the following:
    1. Click Package Preparation in the navigation pane, click the Packaging Wizard icon, and specify a target directory such as C:\TunerWork\Notes90Customized.
    2. On the next screen, click Next to create a new setup.exe file.
    3. Allow packaging to complete.
  10. Exit the InstallShield Tuner for Notes.

Example: Add a notes.ini setting to the transform to calls a configuration setup file

About this task

An additional way of customizing install or upgrade is by using a scriptable setup file, for example setup.txt, that is called by the notes.ini setting ConfigFile=name.txt. The scriptable setup file contains the parameters used to complete the setup that occur after, for example, new user installation. In this example, we'll add the notes.ini setting to be used by the transform.

For details, see the HCL Software Support article How to set up a Notes client without user intervention using a scriptable setup.

Procedure

  1. Start the Tuner by clicking Start > All Programs > Lotus Applications > InstallShield Tuner for Lotus Notes.
  2. As prompted, browse to and select the .itw configuration file, for example IBMNotes.itw and click Open.
  3. Read the Welcome screen and click Create a New Transform.
  4. As prompted, browse to and select the .msi file supplied with the Notes install kit, for exampleIBM Notes version .msi.
  5. Accept the default output transform file name, for example IBM Notes 10.0.mst, and path.
  6. Do not enable the Transform response checkbox.
  7. Click Create.
  8. Under the System Configuration section, click IniFiles.
  9. Right-click Destination Computer, select Show Folder and slide to select ProgramFilesFolder.
  10. Expand ProgramFilesFolder to show the Notes folder.
  11. Right-click the Notes folder and select NewIniFile.
  12. Right-click on the resultant IniFile1.ini and rename it notes.ini.
  13. Right-click on notes.ini and select New Section.
  14. Click on the resultant NewSection1 and modify the following values:
    • In the column titled Key, replace New Key with ConfigFile.
    • In the column titled Value, replace New Value with the path to the setup.txt file
    • Verify that the Action value is Add Line.
  15. Click File > Save.
  16. Exit the InstallShield Tuner for Notes.