Extractor for InstallShield .CAB files

Mike

unread,

Apr 14, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/14/98

to

Would anyone know where to get information on the InstallShield CAB file
format?

Mike

Lars Helgeland

unread,

Apr 19, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/19/98

to

In article <01bd67ee$15c129e0$0d10...@pc-presutti.atitech.ca>, "Mike"

<pres...@atitech.ca> wrote:
>
>Would anyone know where to get information on the InstallShield CAB file
>format?

They're the same as Microsoft cab files, there's no difference,
but the cab format itself has been updated since Win95 was released.
The Cabinet SDK contains documentation, header files, lib files,
and sample code and programs, including an updated Extract.exe,
if that's what you are looking for:
http://www.microsoft.com/workshop/prog/cab/cabdl.htm

Lars

Mike

unread,

Apr 20, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/20/98

to

Is that so!?
The impression I got from InstallShield was that they were using a file
format that was similar to their .z files and pursuing things with the CAB
SDK would be a waste of time. Thanks Lars!

Mike.

Lars Helgeland <lhel...@c2i.net> wrote in article
<#xCZNj5a...@uppssnewspub04.moswest.msn.net>...

Ken Thomas

unread,

Apr 20, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/20/98

to

I just downloaded the cab sdk, installed, and used the "new" extract.exe
v1.00.0601 (03/18/97) to look at some InstallShield 5.0 cabs. Didn't
work; returns:

ERROR: data1.cab is not a cabinet file

Rather than starting with the cabinet signature, 'M','S','C','F' as the
spec states, InstallShield cabs start with the signature 'I','S','c'.

Ken

Mike

unread,

Apr 20, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/20/98

to

Thats not all thats different.....
There is allot more information in the header with regards to component and
archiving information.

Looking at the files through an editor shows that IS cab files have the
same basic format as a MS cab file. But InstallShield has added to the
header in order for the cab file to be used with their IDE.

So it is true that IS cab file have little in common with MS cab files.

Ken Thomas <kth...@cirque.com> wrote in article
<353B5069...@cirque.com>...

Lars Helgeland

unread,

Apr 20, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/20/98

to

In article <353B5069...@cirque.com>, Ken Thomas <kth...@cirque.com>
wrote:

>I just downloaded the cab sdk, installed, and used the "new" extract.exe
>v1.00.0601 (03/18/97) to look at some InstallShield 5.0 cabs. Didn't
>work; returns:
>
>ERROR: data1.cab is not a cabinet file
>
>Rather than starting with the cabinet signature, 'M','S','C','F' as the
>spec states, InstallShield cabs start with the signature 'I','S','c'.

I am sorry, my experience with InstallShield cabfiles is limited to
the kind prepared with PackageForTheWeb, and as of v1.32, PFTW
cabfiles definitely were compatible with MS cabfiles. Also, PFTW
cabfiles often used the newer LZX mode for better compression,
requiring a newer version of Extract.exe than the one that shipped
with Win95 in order to extract.

I see now that you are correct however. The following is from the
InstallShield KB, Q101545 (applies to all versions of InstallShield5):
"The format of InstallShield`s .cab files are different from that of
Microsoft`s. You will not be able to view the contents with any .cab
file viewer. InstallShield does not have a viewer available for the
InstallShield .cab file format."

Lars

Mike

unread,

Apr 21, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/21/98

to

I would imagine that they use LZX compression in IS5 cabfiles as well. But
in order to be able to update or add files to the cabfile, the header must
be known.
InstallShield has given no indication that they will be providing an
extract.exe for their cabfiles or even the file format dispite requests
from MANY people.

Lars Helgeland <lhel...@c2i.net> wrote in article

<OUBPl3J...@uppssnewspub04.moswest.msn.net>...

Alex Alvarez

unread,

Apr 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/23/98

to

>I would imagine that they use LZX compression in IS5 cabfiles as well. But
>in order to be able to update or add files to the cabfile, the header must
>be known.

Well, instead of dealing with the Cab Sdk why not use Microsoft PowerToys,
you can add and delete files from a .CAB file with Drag & Drop.

Alexandre Alvarez
rob...@aldato.com.co
Aldato/Sextans RS

Noela Hill

unread,

Apr 24, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/24/98

to

I HATE INSTALLSHIELD

I'll wine a little later.

But the new install shield .pak files are different.
Installshield deliberately do not want people to view their files.

I totally disagree - when looking at new software I like zip files that I
can have a look in the archive
read a help file or a text file and then decide if I want it on my system.

I purchased IS5 for nearly $1000 (Aus mulitply by 1.3% for US $) and with
the sole intention on
doing a Borland BDE install which the lite verions of IS did and do both 16
and 32 bit installs.

After three months of trying I gave up and after this time could not get my
money back. Tried to get
help online via - one month free support to no avail. Got hold of another
package and did what I wanted to
do in 3 hours. I HATE INSTALLSHIELD INTENSLY.

Mike wrote in message <01bd67ee$15c129e0$0d10...@pc-presutti.atitech.ca>...

>
>Would anyone know where to get information on the InstallShield CAB file
>format?
>

>Mike
>

Mike

unread,

Apr 24, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/24/98

to

The IS CAB files are different from the MS CAB files. PowerToys will not
work.....

Alex Alvarez <rob...@aldato.com.co> wrote in article
<uqbv5fz...@uppssnewspub04.moswest.msn.net>...