Answer file for Client install

[luusid]

Does anyone know how I could create an answer file for the client install for Notes 6.0? We would like to send out an e-mail to groups of users to run the install but we don't want them to change any of the options during the install.

Thanks,

David

 

[Guy987]

This is directly from the help file in the administrator client....

After creating a transform file, you can use that file for end-user client installations.

To apply a transform

This section contains two sets of instructions. The first set explains how to apply a transform file for a user interface (UI) installation -- that is, an installation that presents a user interface. The second set explains how to apply a transform file for a silent install -- that is, an installation that does not present a user interface and therefore does not require any user interaction. There is also a section on using a batch file to launch the command.

For installations using the transform file (and for silent installations) using the msiexec commands, the network installation should not be the first installation of Notes that you perform unless you are certain that all of the client workstations contain the Windows Installer Service.
Note The command line path is the default installation path or the path for the transform file.

User interface (UI) installation

In this example, the "installdir" parameter and the "datadir" parameter are used to overwrite the default settings designated by the transform file.

1. Change to the install directory that contains both the Lotus Notes 6.msi and the transform, *.mst, files

2. Do one of these:
To install to the default Program and Data directories, enter this command from the command line:
msiexec /i "Lotus Notes 6.msi" TRANSFORMS="custom.mst"
To overwrite the default Program and Data directories with the ones you specify, enter this command from the command line:
msiexec /i "Lotus Notes 6.msi" INSTALLDIR=C:\Test DATADIR=C:\Test\Data TRANSFORMS="custom.mst"

Silent install

3. Change directory to the install directory that contains both the Lotus Notes 6.msi and the transform, *.mst, files

4. Do one of these:
If you want to install to the default Program and Data directories, enter this command from the command line:
msiexec /i "Lotus Notes 6.msi" /qn TRANSFORMS="custom.mst"
If you want to overwrite the default Program and Data directories with the ones you specify, enter this command from the command line:
msiexec /i "Lotus Notes 6.msi" /qn INSTALLDIR=C:\Test DATADIR=C:\Test\Data TRANSFORMS="custom.mst"

For more information on silent installations, see Automating client installation.

Using a batch file to enter the command

You can also create a batch file that the user launches to start the command. A sample batch file is shown below:

Sample batch file

msiexec /i "Lotus Notes 6.msi" TRANSFORMS="custom.mst"
Using the SETUP.INI file setting to apply one transform file to all client installs

Use a setting in the SETUP.INI file in the install directory to apply one transform file to all installs. Using this method prevents the end user from having to enter a command line parameter or from using a batch file.
Modify the command line in the SETUP.INI to read as follows:

CmdLine+/l*v %TEMP%\notes6.log TRANSFORMS=custom.mst
The transform file is applied when SETUP.EXE is launched.

 

[luusid]

We have tested another option here in our office and that is to push it out with group policies using the setup.msi package that came with the install. We copied the install CD to a network share and set up group policies for our people. It upgrades Notes to version 6.0.1 before they even log in. The only thing they need to do is open notes and replace their mail template. Works great.

David