Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

Please support our VB.NET advertiser: Intel Parallel Studio Home
Thread Solved

Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 262
Reputation: Dukane is an unknown quantity at this point 
Solved Threads: 22
Dukane's Avatar
Dukane Dukane is offline Offline
Posting Whiz in Training

Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

 
-1
  #1
Dec 22nd, 2007
I have a project which I created a setup for in an MSI file. My computer crashed, and I lost all of my work. Fortunately, I had the MSI setup file out on the web. Now, I have my MSI file and I can install the program. But is there anyway I can decompile the MSI back into the VB.NET code I had before?
It is very important to read this: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 16,160
Reputation: jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all 
Solved Threads: 531
Moderator
Featured Poster
jbennet's Avatar
jbennet jbennet is offline Offline
Moderator

Re: Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

 
-1
  #2
Dec 22nd, 2007
No. Of course not.

Should have kept backups.
If i am helpful, please give me reputation points.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,641
Reputation: Jx_Man is a glorious beacon of light Jx_Man is a glorious beacon of light Jx_Man is a glorious beacon of light Jx_Man is a glorious beacon of light Jx_Man is a glorious beacon of light Jx_Man is a glorious beacon of light 
Solved Threads: 245
Jx_Man's Avatar
Jx_Man Jx_Man is offline Offline
Posting Maven

Re: Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

 
2
  #3
Dec 23rd, 2007
yup, you cannot get the source code from msi except you add your source code too when you build setup program.
Never tried = Never Know
So, Please do something before post your thread.
* PM Asking will be ignored *
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,951
Reputation: Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of Duoas has much to be proud of 
Solved Threads: 214
Featured Poster
Duoas's Avatar
Duoas Duoas is offline Offline
Posting Virtuoso

Re: Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

 
1
  #4
Dec 23rd, 2007
Actually, it might be possible to some degree. VB uses a lot of bytecode and, if I remember right, Microsoft and others have VB decompilers. You'll never get back the absolute original, but if you can find the right decompiler (and can front the cash for it), you should be able to get enough back that you can reconstruct the rest.

You might be better off just writing it over again...

Alas.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 16,160
Reputation: jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all jbennet is a name known to all 
Solved Threads: 531
Moderator
Featured Poster
jbennet's Avatar
jbennet jbennet is offline Offline
Moderator

Re: Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

 
0
  #5
Dec 23rd, 2007
mist decompilers only decompile to assembley. Useful for reverse engineering but not for coding.
If i am helpful, please give me reputation points.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 262
Reputation: Dukane is an unknown quantity at this point 
Solved Threads: 22
Dukane's Avatar
Dukane Dukane is offline Offline
Posting Whiz in Training

Re: Can I get my code back from an MSI installer?

 
0
  #6
Dec 23rd, 2007
Thanks for all your input guys.
It is very important to read this: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message  
Reply

This thread has been marked solved.
Perhaps start a new thread instead?
Message:



Similar Threads
Other Threads in the VB.NET Forum
Thread Tools Search this Thread



About Us | Contact Us | Advertise | DaniWeb | Acceptable Use Policy | RSS Feed

©2003 - 2009 DaniWeb® LLC