rkillcrazy

What bothers me is that fact that this is the best way they can come up with. It's essentially a hack!! I've been playing around with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and the Deployment Workbench has a way to install updates, service-packs, language-packs, et cetera during the deployment and SP2 bombs out. It's like we've gone a step backwards with this stuff. I've been doing slipstreams since Win2K and it has never been this hard.... 08-11-09 1324 EDT

Yes. Use 7z SFX Archive splitter (http://7zsfx.info/en). Thanks, I'll give that a go.... Another question: How do the commands run? Do they run in the order they are shown in the config? I ask 'cause I'm trying to make an install that may need to overwrite the destination, however, the destination may have file in use. I was thinking, I could do something like below: RunProgram="batch file to kill my task here" RunProgram="batch file to clear the destination directory" InstallPath="extract to the recently cleared destination directory" RunProgram="batch file to do something else..." RunProgram="batch file to do something else..." However, if it reads the config, upon execution and immediately begins to extract to the directory that has files in use, I I'd be screwed. 11-03-08 1724 EDT

Is there a way to recover the embedded config.txt if you no longer have it but still have the executable that was made with it? 11-03-08 1204 EDT

Yeah, I used to do that before I started playing with these new modules. Perhaps this should be a feature request? It would be kinda nice to have a window that remained up as long as the original SFX file was still being used. I'm pretty good with a batch file these days so I know I can get something like this working.

Is there a way to show another window that will tell the user to please wait. I have a large SFX that runs through several installs. Unfortunately, the installs can only be installed silently or normally. I'd rather not have to click anything so I use the silent switches. However, the total time it takes from execution of the SFX to the end message stating it's complete is 5-10 minutes which gives a user plenty of time to screw it up by trying to install something else. I get a progress bar for the extraction but it goes away and I see nothing except for a couple of windows that flash by now and then. Ideas? 04-14-08 1221 EDT

OK, that worked fine - thanks! However, how can you tell I have errors in the line full of switches? It runs fine in a normal batch file with those switches. I had to escape a few of those quotes with back slashes so it looks a little different from what you'd see using a command line. Furthermore, as far as I can tell, it installs without errors when using the SFX file. Am I missing something? config.txt ;!@Install@!UTF-8! Title="Adobe Reader Installation" ; // Quiet install that shows progress bar only GUIMode="1" ; // Sets variables SetEnvironment="Var1=%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\DESKTOP\\ADOBE READER 8.LNK" ; // Installation ExecuteFile="AdbeRdr812_en_US.exe" ; // Switches are: /sPB /rs /l /msi"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES"" ExecuteParameters="/sPB /rs /l /msi\"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES\"\"" ; // Deletes the shortcut dropped on the desktop Delete="%Var1%" ;!@InstallEnd@!

I just found these more extensive modules and am playing with them a bit. I had be using 7-Zip's defaults to create SFX files. I'm testing it on an Adobe reader install. Before, I used to have it run a batch file after unpacking. The batch file would install the app and remove various shortcuts. I'm trying to thin the code down with these new modules... It does the install just fine but never deletes that stupid little shortcut. Ideas? config.txt ;!@Install@!UTF-8! Title="Adobe Reader Installation" ; // Quiet install that shows progress bar only GUIMode="1" ; // Set environments SetEnvironment="Var1=\"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\DESKTOP\\ADOBE READER 8.LNK\"" ; // Installation ExecuteFile="fm05:AdbeRdr812_en_US.exe" ; // Switches ExecuteParameters="/sPB /rs /l /msi\"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES\"\"" ; // Deletes the shortcut dropped on the desktop Delete="%Var1%" FinishMessage="Adobe Reader has been installed." ;!@InstallEnd@!

EDIT: Sorry, this wasn't supposed to go here. I'll post it in the correct forum. I just found these more extensive modules and am playing with them a bit. I had be using 7-Zip's defaults to create SFX files. I'm testing it on an Adobe reader install. Before, I used to have it run a batch file after unpacking. The batch file would install the app and remove various shortcuts. I'm trying to thin the code down with these new modules... It does the install just fine but never deletes that stupid little shortcut. Ideas? config.txt ;!@Install@!UTF-8! Title="Adobe Reader Installation" ; // Quiet install that shows progress bar only GUIMode="1" ; // Set environments SetEnvironment="Var1=\"%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\\DESKTOP\\ADOBE READER 8.LNK\"" ; // Installation ExecuteFile="fm05:AdbeRdr812_en_US.exe" ; // Switches ExecuteParameters="/sPB /rs /l /msi\"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES\"\"" ; // Deletes the shortcut dropped on the desktop Delete="%Var1%" FinishMessage="Adobe Reader has been installed." ;!@InstallEnd@!

Well, since nobody had any ideas, I worked something out... I have a batch file that runs at about T-9 of the WinXP GUI setup. This is done via my WINNT.SIF in the [setupParams] section. The batch file it runs is below. It does a lot of stuff but the part I made to do the auto-detection is labeled :CMDCONS. Basically, it queries the registry and looks at the source-paths. Piping that info through a FIND command, I can seek out strings that match the folders on my multi-boot DVD. Then, using error codes, I can direct the script to do my bidding! B) @ECHO OFF ::############################################################# ::Revised: 16:32 03/28/2008 ::############################################################# ::This will add a user account and password. ::Then it will add them to the Administrator's group. ::Then it will copy some data to the desktop. ::Then it will install the Recovery Console. ::Then it will clean up the files used for this. ::############################################################# :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::This adds a user to the administrator's group. TITLE ADDING USERS ECHO ADDING SOME USERS... net accounts /minpwlen:0 net accounts /maxpwage:unlimited net user Admin home3313 /add net user User /add net localgroup Administrators Admin /add net localgroup Administrators User /add cls ::This will hide the newly created account. REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENTVERSION\WINLOGON\SPECIALACCOUNTS\USERLIST" /V ADMIN /T REG_DWORD /D 65536 /F cls :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::I have a bunch of goodies in a couple of 7-Zip files. Check it out once you reach the desktop! TITLE GETTING EXTRA DATA ECHO DUMPING DATA TO THE DESKTOP. STAND BY... SETLOCAL ::VARIABLES FOR THIS SECTION FOR %%I IN (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO IF EXIST %%I:\STUFF.7Z SET DVDROM=%%I: SET SOURCE="\\63.243.104.66\data-80\DO-NOT-DELETE\MULTIBOOT\EXTRAS" SET DESTINATION="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\DESKTOP" SET WHAT=/S /COPY:D SET OPTIONS=/R:2 /W:2 :REPACKS ECHO We can try to copy my repacks from a source that may be more up to date. ECHO The versions on this disk may be a month old or better. ECHO If anything goes wrong, the versions on the disk will be used. ECHO. CHOICE /C:YN /T:Y,45 Try to copy my repacks from a server that may be more up to date? IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO UNZIP IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO SERVER :SERVER TITLE PULLING DATA FROM FILE SERVER IF NOT EXIST %SOURCE% GOTO UNZIP_STUFF robocopy %SOURCE%\STUFF %DESTINATION%\STUFF %WHAT% %OPTIONS% IF %ERRORLEVEL%==1 cls && GOTO UNZIP_UPDATES :UNZIP_STUFF TITLE EXTRACTING DATA %SYSTEMDRIVE%\un7zip.exe "%DVDROM%\STUFF.7Z" %DESTINATION%\STUFF :UNZIP_UPDATES TITLE EXTRACTING OFFLINE UPDATER %SYSTEMDRIVE%\un7zip.exe "%DVDROM%\OFFLINEUPDATER.7Z" %DESTINATION%\OFFLINEUPDATER ECHO The folders on the desktop are full of various hotfixes and apps that are commonly used. > "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\DESKTOP\INFO.TXT" ECHO Make sure all drivers were installed. >> "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\DESKTOP\INFO.TXT" ECHO Once that's complete, you should activate this machine before proceeding with the material in these folders as several of these apps and updates require activation. >> "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\DESKTOP\INFO.TXT" ENDLOCAL cls :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :CMDCONS ::This will install the Recovery Console as a boot option. ::We'll try to figure out what your OS is. ::We'll need to set a variable here so we can run the install from the CD/DVD. TITLE RECOVERY CONSOLE REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SOURCEPATH | FIND /I "XPHO" > NUL IF %ERRORLEVEL%==0 GOTO HOMEOEM REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SOURCEPATH | FIND /I "XPHU" > NUL IF %ERRORLEVEL%==0 GOTO HOMEUPG REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SOURCEPATH | FIND /I "XPPB" > NUL IF %ERRORLEVEL%==0 GOTO PROOEMB REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SOURCEPATH | FIND /I "XPPC" > NUL IF %ERRORLEVEL%==0 GOTO PROOEMC REG QUERY HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SOURCEPATH | FIND /I "XPPU" > NUL IF %ERRORLEVEL%==0 GOTO PROUPG ::############################################################# :HOMEOEM SETLOCAL FOR %%I IN (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO IF EXIST %%I:\ROOT\XPHO\I386\WINNT32.EXE SET DVDROM=%%I: ECHO YOU HAVE XP HOME SP2 (OEM) ECHO INSTALLING THE RECOVERY CONSOLE AS A BOOT OPTION START /W %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPHO\I386\WINNT32.EXE /CMDCONS /UNATTEND cls ::Some people like to have the I386 directory copied over. ECHO It may be a good idea to copy the I386 directory for later use. ECHO Changing the sourcepath afterwards is also a good idea. ECHO I'll do both for you if you wish. ECHO. CHOICE /C:YN /T:Y,45 Would you like to copy the I386 Directory? IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NO_HOMEOEM_I386 IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO YES_HOMEOEM_I386 :YES_HOMEOEM_I386 TITLE COPYING THE I386 DIRECTORY ECHO IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, GREAT! ECHO IF NOT, YOU WERE TOO SLOW! ECHO YOU CAN ALWAYS DELETE THE DIRECTORY FROM THE ROOT OF %SYSTEMDRIVE% LATER. ROBOCOPY %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPHO\I386 %SYSTEMDRIVE%\I386 /MIR /R:2 /W:2 ECHO CHANGING THE SOURCEPATH REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V ServicePackSourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENT VERSION" /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\I386 /F :NO_HOMEOEM_I386 ENDLOCAL GOTO TIMEOUT ::############################################################# :HOMEUPG FOR %%I IN (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO IF EXIST %%I:\ROOT\XPHU\I386\WINNT32.EXE SET DVDROM=%%I: ECHO YOU HAVE XP HOME SP2 (UPGRADE) ECHO INSTALLING THE RECOVERY CONSOLE AS A BOOT OPTION START /W %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPHU\I386\WINNT32.EXE /CMDCONS /UNATTEND cls ::Some people like to have the I386 directory copied over. ECHO It may be a good idea to copy the I386 directory for later use. ECHO Changing the sourcepath afterwards is also a good idea. ECHO I'll do both for you if you wish. ECHO. CHOICE /C:YN /T:Y,45 Would you like to copy the I386 Directory? IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NO_HOMEUPG_I386 IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO YES_HOMEUPG_I386 :YES_HOMEUPG_I386 TITLE COPYING THE I386 DIRECTORY ECHO IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, GREAT! ECHO IF NOT, YOU WERE TOO SLOW! ECHO YOU CAN ALWAYS DELETE THE DIRECTORY FROM THE ROOT OF %SYSTEMDRIVE% LATER. ROBOCOPY %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPHU\I386 %SYSTEMDRIVE%\I386 /MIR /R:2 /W:2 ECHO CHANGING THE SOURCEPATH REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V ServicePackSourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENT VERSION" /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\I386 /F :NO_HOMEUPG_I386 ENDLOCAL GOTO TIMEOUT ::############################################################# :PROOEMB FOR %%I IN (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO IF EXIST %%I:\ROOT\XPPB\I386\WINNT32.EXE SET DVDROM=%%I: ECHO YOU HAVE XP PRO SP2-B (OEM) ECHO INSTALLING THE RECOVERY CONSOLE AS A BOOT OPTION START /W %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPPB\I386\WINNT32.EXE /CMDCONS /UNATTEND cls ::Some people like to have the I386 directory copied over. ECHO It may be a good idea to copy the I386 directory for later use. ECHO Changing the sourcepath afterwards is also a good idea. ECHO I'll do both for you if you wish. ECHO. CHOICE /C:YN /T:Y,45 Would you like to copy the I386 directory? IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NO_PROOEMB_I386 IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO YES_PROOEMB_I386 :YES_PROOEMB_I386 TITLE COPYING THE I386 DIRECTORY ECHO IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, GREAT! ECHO IF NOT, YOU WERE TOO SLOW! ECHO YOU CAN ALWAYS DELETE THE DIRECTORY FROM THE ROOT OF %SYSTEMDRIVE% LATER. ROBOCOPY %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPPB\I386 %SYSTEMDRIVE%\I386 /MIR /R:2 /W:2 ECHO CHANGING THE SOURCEPATH REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V ServicePackSourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENT VERSION" /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\I386 /F :NO_PROOEMB_I386 ENDLOCAL GOTO TIMEOUT ::############################################################# :PROOEMC FOR %%I IN (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO IF EXIST %%I:\ROOT\XPPC\I386\WINNT32.EXE SET DVDROM=%%I: ECHO YOU HAVE XP PRO SP2-C (OEM) ECHO INSTALLING THE RECOVERY CONSOLE AS A BOOT OPTION START /W %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPPC\I386\WINNT32.EXE /CMDCONS /UNATTEND cls ::Some people like to have the I386 directory copied over. ECHO It may be a good idea to copy the I386 directory for later use. ECHO Changing the sourcepath afterwards is also a good idea. ECHO I'll do both for you if you wish. ECHO. CHOICE /C:YN /T:Y,45 Would you like to copy the I386 Directory? IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NO_PROOEMC_I386 IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO YES_PROOEMC_I386 :YES_PROOEMC_I386 TITLE COPYING THE I386 DIRECTORY ECHO IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, GREAT! ECHO IF NOT, YOU WERE TOO SLOW! ECHO YOU CAN ALWAYS DELETE THE DIRECTORY FROM THE ROOT OF %SYSTEMDRIVE% LATER. ROBOCOPY %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPPC\I386 %SYSTEMDRIVE%\I386 /MIR /R:2 /W:2 ECHO CHANGING THE SOURCEPATH REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V ServicePackSourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENT VERSION" /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\I386 /F :NO_PROOEMC_I386 ENDLOCAL GOTO TIMEOUT ::############################################################# :PROUPG FOR %%I IN (D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z) DO IF EXIST %%I:\ROOT\XPPU\I386\WINNT32.EXE SET DVDROM=%%I: ECHO YOU HAVE XP PRO SP2 (UPGRADE) ECHO INSTALLING THE RECOVERY CONSOLE AS A BOOT OPTION START /W %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPPU\I386\WINNT32.EXE /CMDCONS /UNATTEND cls ::Some people like to have the I386 directory copied over. ECHO It may be a good idea to copy the I386 directory for later use. ECHO Changing the sourcepath afterwards is also a good idea. ECHO I'll do both for you if you wish. ECHO. CHOICE /C:YN /T:Y,45 Would you like to copy the I386 Directory? IF ERRORLEVEL 2 GOTO NO_PROUPG_I386 IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO YES_PROUPG_I386 :YES_PROUPG_I386 TITLE COPYING THE I386 DIRECTORY ECHO IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, GREAT! ECHO IF NOT, YOU WERE TOO SLOW! ECHO YOU CAN ALWAYS DELETE THE DIRECTORY FROM THE ROOT OF %SYSTEMDRIVE% LATER. ROBOCOPY %DVDROM%\ROOT\XPPU\I386 %SYSTEMDRIVE%\I386 /MIR /R:2 /W:2 ECHO CHANGING THE SOURCEPATH REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V ServicePackSourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\SETUP /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\ /F REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS NT\CURRENT VERSION" /V SourcePath /T REG_SZ /D C:\I386 /F :NO_PROUPG_I386 ENDLOCAL GOTO TIMEOUT :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :TIMEOUT cls TITLE TWEAKING BOOT TIMER BOOTCFG /TIMEOUT 05 GOTO CLEANUP :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :CLEANUP cls :: Cleans up a few things. ECHO @ECHO OFF > "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO TITLE CLEANING UP DESKTOP.INI FILES >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO ECHO FOR SOME REASON YOU'LL SEE COPIES OF DESKTOP.INI IN YOUR START MENU. >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO ECHO THESE FILES ARE NORMALLY HIDDEN. >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO ECHO THIS BATCH FILE WILL FIX THAT ISSUE. >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO ATTRIB +S +H "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\DESKTOP.INI" /S >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO CSCRIPT EJECT-DVD.VBS >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" ECHO DEL %%0 >> "%SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD" REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\RUNONCE /V FINISH /T REG_SZ /D %SYSTEMDRIVE%\FINISH.CMD /F IF EXIST %SYSTEMDRIVE%\un7zip.exe DEL /Q %SYSTEMDRIVE%\un7zip.exe IF EXIST %SYSTEMDRIVE%\7-zip32.dll DEL /Q %SYSTEMDRIVE%\7-zip32.dll DEL %0 :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Ok, I'll try that...

I have several machines that have had people playing around with the ATTRIB command. Now, I have some files that are no longer hidden like they should be. I have a batch file that seems like it should work but in fact does not. Any guidance would be great! Below is an example. I just want to search recursively through the current folder and its child directories and run a command if the file is found.... FOR /F %%I IN ("DESKTOP.INI") DO IF EXIST %%~nI ATTRIB +S +H DESKTOP.INI /S Running that command outputs an error: %%I was unexpected at this time.

Perhaps this query is a bit odd but maybe I'm not the only one.... I have a multiboot DVD that was created with PowerPacker and it's set to run a batch file in the GuiRunOnce section of my WINNT.SIF file. The batch runs just fine but I have it set to stop and ask questions (via CHOICE.COM/EXE) that deal with version of the OS. Meaning... if I installed XP Home SP2 OEM, and I wanted to copy over the I386 directory, I have to have the batch file stop and ask me what version I installed. At that point I give my answer and it copies over the proper directory. Is there a way to script this by having something check to see what version of XP is installed? I'd settle for something that can tell between XP Home and XP Pro but if it can tell between XP Home SP2 OEM, XP Home SP2 Upgrade, XP Pro SP2-B OEM, XP Pro SP2-C OEM & XP Pro SP2 Upgrade, that would awesome! Let me know... Note: there's something in PowerPacker that can tell the difference between many of these versions. It may not be able to tell the difference between SP2-B or SP2-C but it knows the difference between Home, Pro, SP2, OEM, Upgrade, et cetera. 02-26-08 1217 EST

Yes, it does! In fact, I had to drive an hour to a site to run an SFC with one of my disks. I have a RunOnce script that copies over the I386 directory from the DVD to the root of the %SYSTEMDRIVE%. I'll even change the registry to point the SOURCEPATH to the %SYSTEMDRIVE%\I386 folder but it didn't work that day! I still had to provide the disk in order for SFC to complete the scan. 02-26-08 1203 EST

I build PCs as well. I have a multiboot DVD with XP Pro OEM SP2-B, XP Pro OEM SP2-C, XP Pro Upgrade SP2, XP Home OEM SP2, XP Home Upgrade SP2 and I never used the ADVANCED tab in PowerPacker. I used RVM Integrator to dump some update packs in them and then used PowerPacker to create the layout of the disk & dump the DriverPacks in them. However, I used the the CUSTOM PACK NAME since I had 2 versions of XP Pro OEM but I doubt you'll need to use that feature. If I had to guess, you're making it more complicated than it needs to be. Every time I pack another version of XP, I use the UNATTENDED INSTALL OPTIONS to incorporate a WINNT.SIF. Each version of the OS (each disk) has its own WINNT.SIF with its own key. 02-26-08 1158 EST

I could not get this to work. I copied/pasted what you have into notepad and saved as a VBS as I've done for other VB scripts but still no joy. Are there any tweaks I should make? I see you comment(?) of "Place your Value Here" but it looks like you're using my value of 4% below that line. Enlighten me, friend! 02-20-08 0918 EST

Include the following in your WINNT.SIF. [SystemRestore] MaximumDataStorePercentOfDisk = 4 Download Regshot and make a snapshot of your Registry. Make all the desired changes mentioned above and make another snapshot of your Registry. Compare both snapshots to see which keys are responsible for your customizations. I'll try the script and the WinNT.sif tricks to see what I like better. I'm already using a WinNT.sif, so that may be the better way to do this. However, just to clarify, what section would the statement be placed into the WinNT.sif or is that indeed contained in its own section of [systemRestore]? I've never heard of RegShot but I'll try that as well. I've used InstallRite before to make custom (busted) installs but I'm sure it does similar things. I'll look into that as well. 02-20-08 0908 EST

I've made a multi-boot DVD that works for what I needed it for. However, I now want more! Who doesn't, right!? Anyway, I have it set up to run a few scripts during GuiRunOnce that tweak a few things but there are things that I've not found any way of tweaking. I usually set System Restore to use 4% of the disk space instead of the default 12%. Is there a way to script that via the command line or VB? I usually make a few tweaks in the Performance settings in SYSTEM PROPERTIES > ADVANCED as well and would like to know if these can be tweaked in similar fashion. Changing the look of the Control Panel would be nice too as I hate the Category View. Changing what shows up in the start menu would be nice too. I normally disable My Music/Pictures and enable printers/faxes & network places. There are more, I'm sure of it but I'm curious if I can find a way to get started with the above. I'll use reg keys, command line or vb scripts to do the job as needed. I just need somewhere to start. Let me know... 02-19-08 1644 EST

Everything I've seen regarding this file, suggests it used renaming files only. It says I have to use short files names and I can't even get the folder to take the typical short filename format... alluse~1 Furthermore, if I can indeed use this file to rename directories, will it rename my folder and overwrite the existing one? Remeber... %systemdrive%\documents and settings\all users\desktop will already exist.

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php This is an open source live CD that one can boot into. Once up and running, you should be able to resize your HDD. As always, back up your data first! I've used it several times and it works fine but one never knows what a different PC will do.

I been looking for an answer to this for a while now. I think I even dropped a post in here a couple days ago. However, I'm not sure I had it in the right spot. That may be while I've not heard anything. Nonetheless, I have an $OEM$ directory with $$ & $! directories within it. These are used to copy a couple files to their respected directories. I used the info @ this link http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/18/ to help me this far. So far everything works and things get dumped where I want them to. I wish to dump something on the desktop. According to the page mentioned above, I should be able to use: $oem$\$docs\all users\desktop This looks good, right? Well, when I try it, it doesn't work. Well, it works...kinda. It copies the data in that folder to %SystemDrive%\All_Users\Desktop. Note the underscore. So, it copies the data but it doesn't place it where I thought it should. Any ideas?

I have a similar query. I'm making my own MB disk and am creating the $OEM$ folders. I already have a working set of $$ & $1 directories but I'm wanting to drop some things on the desktop via $DOCS\ALL USERS\DESKTOP. This seems easy enough and I make the directories accordingly. However, when I tested the disk, it didn't drop anything on the desktop. I looked around for where the items may have been dropped. I found %systemdrive%\documents and settings\all_users\desktop. For some reason, it's creating another all users folder but uses an underscore to take up the space between the words. Any ideas on how to fix this?

I use 7-Zip to create SFX installers and they run in an unattended mode. Below is a copy of my code. I was having an issue with the script but I figured it out and it works fine now. Try it out if you'd like. @ECHO OFF TITLE Adobe SFX MAKER ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::REVISED: 14:24 07/02/2007 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::YOU'LL NEED A FEW THINGS TO USE THIS SCRIPT... ::YOU'LL NEED SOME FILES FROM HTTP://WWW.7-ZIP.ORG/DOWNLOAD.HTML ::GRAB THE MAIN Z-ZIP FILES ::GRAB THE COMMAND LINE VERSION ::GRAB THE SFXs FOR INSTALLERS ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::INSTALLS ADOBE READER :BEGIN :: :VARIABLES ::SETTING UP VARIABLES FOR EASE OF USE. IN THEORY, YOU CAN MAKE CHANGES HERE AND MOST OF THE SCRIPT SHOULD STILL WORK. ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THOUGH. ::DOUBLE CHECK THE VARIABLES IN THE :SETUP_CMD SECTION FURTHER DOWN... SET FILENAME=ADOBE READER SET SOURCE1="C:\Documents and Settings\robs\Desktop\Rob\PDF Stuff\Adobe Reader" SET BACKUP="C:\Documents and Settings\robs\Desktop\Temp" SET SEVENZIP="C:\PROGRAM FILES\7-ZIP" SET CONFIG_TITLE=ADOBE READER 8.1 INSTALL SET DEST_FILE="C:\Documents and Settings\robs\Desktop\Rob\PDF Stuff\Adobe Reader\ADOBE81.EXE" IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO PURGE) :PURGE ::PURGES FILES TO PREVENT PROBLEMS WITH DUPLICATES. IF EXIST %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.7Z (DEL /Q %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.7Z) ELSE (ECHO FILE WAS NOT THERE TO DELETE. WILL MAKE A NEW ONE.) IF EXIST %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.EXE (DEL /Q %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.EXE) ELSE (ECHO FILE WAS NOT THERE TO DELETE. WILL MAKE A NEW ONE.) IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO SETUP_CMD) ::############################################ :SETUP_CMD ECHO @ECHO OFF > %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO TITLE ADOBE READER >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ::REVISED: 14:24 07/02/2007 >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :BEGIN >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO SETLOCAL >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO SET FILENAME=AdbeRdr810_en_US.exe >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ::THE SWITCHES ARE: /sPB /rs /l /msi"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES"" ::YOU CANNOT JUST ECHO THAT - IT'LL BREAK! SEE BELOW...NOTE THE CARROT ECHO SET SWITCHES=/sPB /rs /l /msi^"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES"" >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO SET INSTALL_TITLE=ADOBE READER >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO SET INSTALL_VER=8.1 >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ::WE NEED THE DOUBLE PERCENT SO IT WILL ECHO THE STRING PROPERLY >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ECHO INSTALLING %%INSTALL_TITLE%% %%INSTALL_VER%% >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO START /W %%FILENAME%% %%SWITCHES%% >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO IF %%ERRORLEVEL%% EQU 0 (GOTO SHORTCUTS) ELSE (GOTO ERROR) >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :SHORTCUTS >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ::DELETING SHORTCUTS FROM DESKTOP AND STARTUP DIRECTORIES >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ::WE NEED THE DOUBLE %% SO IT WILL ECHO THE STRING PROPERLY >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO IF EXIST "%%ALLUSERSPROFILE%%\DESKTOP\ADOBE READER 8.LNK" (DEL /Q "%%ALLUSERSPROFILE%%\DESKTOP\ADOBE READER 8.LNK") >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO IF EXIST "%%ALLUSERSPROFILE%%\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP\ADOBE READER SPEED LAUNCH.LNK" (DEL /Q "%%ALLUSERSPROFILE%%\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP\ADOBE READER SPEED LAUNCH.LNK") >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO IF EXIST "%%ALLUSERSPROFILE%%\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP\ADOBE READER SYNCHRONIZER.LNK" (DEL /Q "%%ALLUSERSPROFILE%%\START MENU\PROGRAMS\STARTUP\ADOBE READER SYNCHRONIZER.LNK") >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO IF %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (GOTO END) ESLE (GOTO ERROR) >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :ERROR >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ::ECHO SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED. CHECK YOUR SCRIPT(S) AND PATH(S) >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO PAUSE >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO GOTO END >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :: >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO :END >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD ECHO ENDLOCAL >> %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO CONFIG) ::############################################ :CONFIG ::CREATING THE CONFIG.TXT THAT WILL BE USED TO CREATE THE SFX FILE. ECHO;!@Install@!UTF-8! > %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT ECHO Title="%CONFIG_TITLE%" >> %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT ::ECHO BeginPrompt="This will extract the files to a temporary directory and run the setup. OK?" >> %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT ECHO ExecuteFile="SETUP.CMD" >> %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT ::ECHO ExecuteParameters="/sPB /rs /l /msi"/qb-! /norestart /log c:\acrobat8.log ALLUSERS=2 EULA_ACCEPT=YES SUPPRESS_APP_LAUNCH=YES"" >> %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT ECHO;!@InstallEnd@! >> %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO BACKUP) :BACKUP ::COPYING FILES TO A BACKUP LOCATION. COPY /Y %SOURCE1%\*.* %BACKUP% IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO COMPRESS) :COMPRESS ::COMPRESSING FILES TO A 7-ZIP FILE. ::THIS USES 7-ZIP TO ADD FILES TO A 7-ZIP FILE. %SEVENZIP%\7z.exe a -t7z %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.7Z %SOURCE1%\* IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO SFX) :SFX ::CREATING THE SELF EXTRACTING FILE FROM THE 7-ZIP FILE. copy /b %SEVENZIP%\7zS.sfx + %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT + %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.7Z %DEST_FILE% IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO CLEANUP) :CLEANUP ::DELETES THE UNNEEDED .7Z FILE. IF EXIST %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.7Z (DEL /Q %TEMP%\%%FILENAME%%.7Z) ELSE (ECHO FILE WAS NOT THERE TO DELETE.) IF EXIST %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT (DEL /Q %TEMP%\CONFIG.TXT) ELSE (ECHO FILE WAS NOT THERE TO DELETE.) ::IF EXIST %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD (DEL /Q %SOURCE1%\SETUP.CMD) ELSE (ECHO FILE WAS NOT THERE TO DELETE.) IF %ERRORLEVEL% GEQ 1 (GOTO ERROR) ELSE (GOTO END) :ERROR ECHO SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED! CHECK YOUR SCRIPT(S) & PATH(S)! PAUSE :END 07-02-07 1351 EDT

OK, WMIC is new to me. I've been messing around with more and more command-line code these days but I'll admit - I've never seen this before! I've seen "FOR" statements but never really used them. Same with "%1" & "%%" for that matter... This looks like it's certainly plausible. A little background as far as what's going on in the code would be nice, if you don't mind. This would help me to understand what's happening. It looks like WMIC is also used in Vista which should make it easier on me as I see more and more of these machines. Nonetheless, I'm willing to give this a try. All I'll need is some help with understanding a new language.

That looks simple enough although I've never used the FIND command. I'm curious as to where it searches for "1.4." Is it looking in the file name or in some "properties" value that you'd normally see if you right-clicked the file, went to PROPERTIES and looked at the VERSION tab? I'll even take suggestions using 3rd party utilities as long as I can bundle the simple EXE or COM files with the installers. I'm not overly familiar with VB scripting but maybe that's a way around this. There must be a way of doing it since many installers are able to identify a newer or older version of their own apps during the install or upgrade. Thanks for the quick reply btw! 05-14-07 1311 EDT

I hope this belongs in this forum... It deals with most other NT OSs as well. I'm a network/PC admin and I deal with a lot of cheap customers! One of them won't take my advise and continues to purchase Dells with XP Home! Nonetheless, I still have to manage 80-100 (to date) XP PCs that should be on a domain. I repack a lot of installs and set up batch files to I can go from seat-to-seat and just make a few clicks to install the same old software. I have the batch files set up to use CHOICE.EXE & CHOICE.COM (I had to get those since XP doesn't have them) to allow me to choose what I want to install. I still have to sit there and hit "Y" or "N" but it's better than answer all the other stuff like EULAs and install paths. OK, venting all done...... My question: Is there a way to have a batch file check the version of a file? Example: The PC has Spybot 1.3 and I wish to install v1.4. How can I set up the batch file to check the version number, and with an %ERRORLEVEL% EQL/LEQ/GEQ statement, install v1.4? 05-14-07 1146 EDT