Question : How to fix error "The size of this object exceeds the maximum size set by the administrator"

I am trying to make a third party MSI package to install software using Group Policy in windows 2000.

Made the MSI package successfully but when I went to attach it to a GPO I got the following message

"The size of this object exceeds the maximum size set by the administrator"

A search of the Microsoft knowledge base led me to KB271297 which I have copied below:


SYMPTOMS
When you deploy a large MSI file through Windows 2000 Group Policy, the following error message is generated:
"The size of this object exceeds the maximum size set by the Administrator."

CAUSE
This is a design detail of the schema used to represent the packages class information in the Active Directory database implementation. The net result is that if the number of CLSIDs plus the number of programmatic identifiers (PROGIDs) exceeds 800 or so, then the limit will be exceeded.

RESOLUTION
Remove all the entries from the Class table and the ProgId table and put them in the registry table (if they are not already duplicated there) of the MSI package.

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

MORE INFORMATION
This error is usually caused when you use a package created by a repackaging tool rather than a fully authored package. If the package tries to advertise large numbers of CLSIDs and PROGIDs, this problem will occur.

MSI packages use tables that allow for COM advertisement. The Class table is what determines the entries for HKCR\CLSID\{-GUID-}. The ProgId table is what determines the entries for HKCR\{ProgId}.

NOTE: The ProgId table cannot be used without the Class table.

A CLSID is a globally unique identifier (GUID) used to map information about a component class. COM uses the information mapped by the CLSID to locate and create an instance the object associated with the CLISID.

A PROGID is an identifier in the form OLEServerName.ObjectName (for example, Excel.Sheet or PowerPoint.Slide) that is used by the Windows registry to uniquely identify an object.


THE PROBLEM:
I do not understand the solution or even if I carry it out if it will really fix the problem.

Can somebody give me some plain English instructions on resolving this?

Thank you.

Jerlo

Answer : How to fix error "The size of this object exceeds the maximum size set by the administrator"

Why on earth are you modding Office XP yourself?

This is a piece of cake.

1)  Create your Distribution share.  Permissions to include Authenticated Users - Read.
2)  Slipstream the Service Pack into the source (unless it's already included).
3)  Create a GPO for Software Distribution.
4)  Create a package and Assign it to the computer.

If you want it to install on all computers then link the GPO to an OU that includes all the computers (not servers!!).
If you want to modify the Office installation then you create a Transform (.MST) with the Office Resource Kit and include it in the share.  When you setup the package in the GPO use the Advanced option and include the Transform in the applet.

No need to modify the MSI at all, use the ORK to create a transform to make those changes.