create setup.ini file 1

[karnoobs]

hi all,

i would like to make a setup.exe that install many softwares. the purpose is i have to install on different machines many software and they are located on different servers that takes alot of time, what i want to do is create something like a setup file that asks me which software i would like to install or a file that just directs me to the application setup.

example, word 2003 setup is located on server A and visual 2003 located on serverB i want to double click on a file that asks me to choose software to be installed and then runs the setup.exe file of the application chosen.

Thanks

 

[xwb]

Try writing a hypertext app (hta) and use that to ask your questions (using <input type=text...>) and execute the scripts using WSHShell run or execute.

 

[vacunita]

I would maybe use a bat file with command line parameters.

like: runinstall.bat app1

and then inside something like:

IF (%1)==(app1) GOTO RUNAPP1
IF (%1)==(app2) GOTO RUNAPP2
etc..
GOTO NOAPP
:RUNAPP1
ECHO Installing APP1 please wait....
start \\server1\folder\aapp1setup.exe
GOTO END
:RUNAPP2
ECHO Installing APP2 please wait....
start \\server2\folder\app2setup.exe
GOTO END

:NOAPP
echo No Installer with that name found, please try again.
GOTO END

:END
EXIT

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Rick998]

Have a look at the 'Windows Post-Install Wizard' website at

http://www.wpiw.net/.

There's also a user support forum for WPI at

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=93.

Hope this helps...

 

[karnoobs]

hi rick998

i tried the WPI it is really a great software, thats what i actually need, i would like to add an option here which is to make all installations are silent( unattended) i am trying to prevent user from being requested to enter serial number, how can i do something like that? i am trying to do this on Visual C 6.0 and adobe acrobat 4.0

 

[Rick998]

In addition to WPI it sounds like you also need a 'snapshotter'. The process for snapshotting is:

1) Capture the state of a clean PC.
2) Install the software, configure it how you want.
3) Capture the state of the PC again.
4) Build an executable or MSI of the difference between the pre- and post-states, i.e. a snapshot of the installation of the software.

The process is decribed in better detail here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257718

The only freeware app I know of is 'WinInstall LE' (it was bundled with the Windows 2000 Server CD). It's old but still useful.

For an inexpensive app, have a look at 'Symantec AI' (AutoInstall) - it's bundled with Symantec Ghost. Other similar, but more expensive, apps are 'Wise for Windows' and 'InstallShield'. There may be more but these are the only ones that I have used.

Oops, almost forgot... if you work in a Novell enterprise environment then you may also be able to get the ZenWorks version of InstallShield for free.

Hope this helps...

 

[karnoobs]

actually your idea is brilliant but software to be installed is not constant i build many machines with different softwares so i need a way to install without prompting me, same as installing windows unattended

 

[Rick998]

Sorry but I can't think of any other methods other than the ones that I've already described.

 

[karnoobs]

appreciate your help, thanks

 

[dglienna]

Depends on the app, but here's an Office version

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/orkXP/HA011363101033.aspx

-David
2006 & 2007 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)
2006 Dell Certified System Professional (CSP)