How do you use W2K GPO to distribute SP3 and IE 6.0 to W2K clients? 1

[dougDFW]

How do you use W2K GPO to distribute SP3 and IE 6.0 to W2K clients? I have 3 servers (2 NT 4.0 BDC's and 1 W2K Server running A.D. with DNS and WINS) and 42 W2K Professional computers. Everything is running smoothly.

I've set up a shared folder on the W2K Server with Active Directory with all the SP3 contents (and another folder for I.E. 6.0.)

The Microsoft SP3 Installation and Deployment guide is vague to someone who hasn't done this before. It says you can assign the service pack to computers in an OU. I followed the directions and nothing has happened.

I created a Update_OU organization unit. Under that I created two global groups: W2Kpcs and W2Kservers (each with the appropriate computers.) I then created a new Group Policy oject called W2ksp3. I checked no overide in Options (so no other GPO would interfere.) Finally, I edited the W2Ksp3 GPO under Software settings to include the MSI installation of SP3. Deployment state is Assigned and Installation is Automatic. I also did something similar with the IE 6.0 package. These packages are not intalled when users log onto the domain.

Do I need to created ZAF (zero administration files for each of these installations? If I do, where do I find out how to create/edit these files. Another Microsoft article talks about needing these for MSI installations.

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
DougDFW.

 

[tlcscousin]

Did you assign to users or computers? If applying a service pack, it needs to be assigned to the computers, and they have to be rebooted to acquire the software.
If assigning to users then a logoff and on will assign the software.

 

[SelbyGlenn]

The machines you want to update must reside in or below the OU that contains your new GPO's. If you have created an update OU at the same level as your Computers OU then nothing will happen because your PC's are not aware of the GPO's. Try moving a PC from your Computers OU in to the Update OU, reboot the PC and it should install.

You can't add GPO's to the Computers OU and you shouldn't really add SP's or IE6 GPO's at domain level. Your best bet is to create some kind of hiarachy within AD for your PC's and Servers. Keep them seperate and then apply the GPO's to those specific OU's

You don't need to create ZAF files for a standard install.




Good Luck!

Glenn.

 

[GlenJohnson]

Might want to think twice before sp3. I un-installed it, caused me bizzare problems. I couldn't even scan my network after putting it on. If you do install, make sure you select the option to allow the un-install, otherwise you're stuck with it. Good luck. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com


"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."
Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695); French poet.

 

[SelbyGlenn]

Glen,

Did you have any hotfixes installed before you installed SP3? If you did then thats probably what scewed your system up. You have to remove all hotfixes, reboot, apply the SP, reboot, then re-apply any post SP3 hotfixes and then reboot again!

cheers,

Glenn.

 

[dougDFW]

Wow, I'm lucky them. Did the role-out last night (had tested SP3 with 3 different systems and the server and had no problems.)

First, two computers could not use Outlook 2000 anymore (and one Office 2000 Professional.) I had to reinstall Outlook 2000 from a share on the server. The Office 2000 would not let me install from CD or Server Share. It said invalid installation package (and I know Microsoft changed to installer version 2.0.)

Second, time took between 15 minutes and 1 hour depending on computer (overall computer speed was the most important factor.)

Third, one system locked up during the install (user rebooted...I am not sure when.) Went into safe mode with networking and was able to run SP3 again.

Also, there are now a few Post sp3 hotfixes available. These installed without any problem.

As far as using GPO's to distribute software...I think Microsoft has the monopoly on this (our Lotus 123 and Corel products dont use Microsoft Installer. I would prefer to install clean system images with all the updates already loaded for new users.

Thank you guys for all your help.

DougDFW

 

[GlenJohnson]

SelbyGlenn, over the years I've learned Micky Soft is not perfect. I think W2K is the best they've come up with, and I'll always use Microsoft OS's. It's just that I've learned that Bill likes to get stuff out, and then fix it. I always wait a bit, then try something new. I installed sp3 on my pc as a test. I won't put it on servers until at least six months have rolled by. Thanks.
dougDFW, glad things worked out for you. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com


"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."
Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695); French poet.

 

[SelbyGlenn]

That's exactly why I'm not buying an X-Box!! You can just imagine in six months time MS bringing out a service pack CD you'd have to run before you run each game!!

Cheers!
Glenn.