[my2001]

Quote

people just want to be able to use the installer because it creates the right registry entries and shortcuts for firefox. At least thats what i gather from this thread.

Yeah, I assumed that, too. I guess people just tend to prefer installers because they look good. But seriously, what's so "right" with those registry settings created by the installer? Just wondering. I mean, Mozilla also runs absolutely problem-free when just copied. It's only Sun Java Plugin which needs one single registry key to get installed properly, but that key can easily be imported by a tweak.

[prathapml]

my2001, on Jun 30 2004, 02:50 AM, said:

....... which needs one single registry key to get installed properly, but that key can easily be imported by a tweak.

Exactly.
And the Flash plugin wants to see a registry entry as well.
So, if that's what these apps want, that's what we'll give 'em.
I do the same - copy the installed (zip) firefox & make the registry entries through .reg files.

And in the foreseeable future, I will continue the same; maybe until a bug-free (universally proven to work) method to set it up using the installer evolves.

[Bâshrat the Sneaky]

@my2001 and/or prathapml: could you plz post those .reg tweaks? That would definetely save other people (incl. me ) some time!

[Alanoll]

Quote

Bonkers[,Jun 25 2004, 09:01 PM] @996: So today I gave your method a go, and suprise, it worked. I was a little surprised but also thankful .

Thanks for all the help.

]Bonkers[

And here I thought I was the one that told 996 what to do.....blast, people never see that

The switching of the isntallers works fine, as all the "setup.exe" is is a stub loader for the config.ini to gather it's settings to install with. My guess is that the installer is a custom build, and they didn't bother changing version number, but they did tinker with it a bit.


Has anyone tried hexing the installer to find the offset for the switches?

[996]

It was indeed Alanoll who gave me the idea to try the Mozilla installer on Firefox. Thus he deserves the credit for it.

Issues remaining unsolved however are XPI extension installations via Firefox's config.ini (or any other way of installing Firefox extensions silently and unattended).
Any help with this issue is greatly appreciated.

Why hexing the installer when it works just fine this way? The files have more than 200.000 differences...

[Alanoll]

well, I mean if you find where the switches are in the firefox you may be able to enable them, and have a native installer for it.

I'll look into the XPI's.

[prathapml]

The installer seems to just help in uninstalling the Mozilla components. Now, the prospect of removing Mozilla is something I don't expect (I would just delete the relevant folder and over-write it with the newer version). So, I don't need the uninstall logs/.EXE/registry-entries.

Since the installer method is so painful, and doesn't really offer much of a benefit over the (simply-copy-files-over) method, I do the below:

1. I install Mozilla firefox & thunderbird
2. In the respective locations - C:\Program Files\Mozilla\Firefox & C:\Program Files\Mozilla\Thunderbird.
3. I then delete all the unnecessary files that I find in those folders (uninstall, etc.)
4. I configure the defaults to the way I want (edit the .JS files in the installed folder).
5. I install any plug-ins/updates/add-ons that I want to the Mozilla suite.
6. Then, I just copy away the entire "C:\Program Files\Mozilla\" folder elsewhere.
7. Then, use winrar SFX or similar to make an archive (of that folder) which will silently extract itself to "%programfiles%".
8. I already have the necessary links in my uA CD (either extract at ".\%allusersprofile%\Start Menu" or place the .lnk files at "$OEM$\$Docs\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Mozilla").
------------------

Then, during the uA install process, the following things happen:
1. The above archive extracts itself.
2. A set of registry entries (which are needed to make the browser add-ons install correctly, and for XP's "Internet" new Start_Menu program) are applied.
3. All other plugins setup are executed (flash 7 player, etc.)
-------------

@ Bâshrat the Sneaky
Here's my (required) mozilla related registry entries in an attachment to this post.

Attached File(s)

•  moz.zip (1.01K)
  Number of downloads: 128

This post has been edited by prathapml: 04 July 2004 - 09:01 AM

[Nologic]

Well it looks like if you want the new XPI files to be installed by default they would have to be listed under [Setup Type0] & under [Component $Title_Name$] the XPI's "Attributes" should be some thing like "SELECTED|VISIBLE|IGNORE_XPINSTALL_ERROR" I haven't tested this.

Examples

[Setup Type0]
;*** LOCALIZE ME BABY ***
Description Short=&Standard
;*** LOCALIZE ME BABY ***
Description Long=Browser will be installed with the most common options.

; List of components to install/enable for this Setup Type.
; All other components not listed here will be disabled if
; this Setup Type is selected.
C0=Component XPCOM
C1=Component Browser
C2=Component Uninstaller
C3=Component US English Profile Defaults
C4=Component En US lang pack
C5=Component US region pack
C6=Component Help
C7=Component Example 1
C8=Component Example 2
C9=Component Example 3
; Make sure Component QFA is LAST so 3rd party developers who might not want
; this component can easily remove it.
C10=Component QFA

[Component Example 1]
Description Short=Example 1
;*** LOCALIZE ME BABY ***
Description Long=MSFN Example 1
Archive=example1.xpi
Install Size=256
Install Size System=0
Attributes=SELECTED|VISIBLE|IGNORE_XPINSTALL_ERROR
FileCount=      1

[solohelp]

Im going to try this with .9.3
Are the registry settings the same just change:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox 0.9.1]
to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3]

ill post results.

[1chaoticadult]

I ended up making a inno setup exe (7-Zip compression Yay!!) for firefox using the zip file version and reg entries. Works wonderfully for me.

[solohelp]

prathapml-
I used your method and it works fine for the install. However the plugins are not there? Is that expected or where your plugins installed with firefox? Do you have to add registry entries or change something else for the xpi's to be installed?

What about the flash plugin?

I use the following plugins
all-in-one mouse gestures
ieview
spiderzilla
flash
Java?

[solohelp]

I'm stuck. Has anybody been able to do an unattended of Firefox .9.3 with the plugins installed?

I tried copying the program files\mozilla Firefox and $Docs\Current_User\application Data\Mozilla\
then used the reg edits from prath

It will put the correct start menu items in for FF however when you click on it it wants to do the profile setup like when it is first installed.

So far this is the only program ive had any problem getting to install correctly.

Anybody have any ideas?

Im open to do any testing. I just installed VMWare 4.5. Awesome program, wish I had it 2 weeks ago when I started pplaying with Unattended. Would have saved me a ton of disks and time ;-)

lets figure this out.

[solohelp]

Registry edit isnt working quite right either. It is putting the start menu group in correctly. And it puts Firefox in as the sticky internet browser. But When I try to instll extensions they install fine. But when I close firefox and open it they arent in the extensions.

I downloaded windiff and regwatch but I couldnt make sense of it.

These keys are run by cmdlines.txt -> auotlogon.reg
Should they be run from guirunonce? Or are my reg keys wrong?

;regkeys for FireFox 0.9.3 to make sure most plugins, like flash etc., install correctly
;Make sure these are added before installing the plugins

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3]
"GeckoVer"="1.0.1"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3\bin]
"PathToExe"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\firefox.exe"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox 0.9.3\Extensions]
"Components"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\Components"
"Plugins"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\Plugins"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla]
"CurrentVersion"="1.7"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox]
"CurrentVersion"="0.9.3 (en)"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Mozilla Firefox\0.9.3 (en)\Main]
"Create Desktop Shortcut"=dword:00000000
"Create Start Menu Shortcut"=dword:00000000
"Create Quick Launch Shortcut"=dword:00000000
"Program Folder Path"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\"
"Install Directory"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\"
"PathToExe"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\firefox.exe"

;==============================
; offer Firefox as an option on the "Internet" Sticky app on WinXP Start Menu

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\firefox.exe]
@="Mozilla Firefox"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\firefox.exe\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\firefox.exe,0"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\firefox.exe\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\firefox.exe\""

; offer the ability to "right-click & configure" this item   [still in testing]
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\firefox.exe\shell\properties]
;@="Firefox &Options"
;[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\firefox.exe\shell\properties\command]
;@="C:\\PROGRA~1\\Mozilla\\Firefox\\firefox.exe -options"

;==============================
; Make Firefox the default Internet sticky app (Start Menu)
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\StartMenuInternet]
@="firefox.exe"

[solohelp]

An Update-
Using the above registry settings has caused some problems.
I already mentioned I couldnt install the extentions. So I uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it but it still wont keep the extenstions after you close and open the browser.

Fortunately This is a VMWare install so Im not wasting any disks.

Any ideas on the reg entries?

Should I start a new thread? I feel like I'm talking to myself. ;-)

[CoffeeFiend]

You're not talking to yourself

I have to try different methods sometime soon as I'm having extension problems as well. They don't disable/uninstall or anything... And I got all the Program Files, App Data, Reg Entries, Uninstall Infos and all...

I just wish I had time to try to fix it and try different methods... But I'm in registry tweak hell (new project lol)

If you manage to fix the issues meanwhile I'd be glad to hear about it

[solohelp]

Ok-
Has anybody used the mozilla setup with firefox 9.3?
When I run the unattended as outlined earlier in the post. It installs silently (YAY!!) However when I try to install extensions I get the same problem. They install but when I close and open firefox it still says this extension will be installed after firefox has been restarted.

So I uninstalled firefox and reinstalled it and the extensions go in just fine.

So now Im not sure where to go next. I guess I could just have the installer copied to the desktop so i can just run the installer after the rest of the unattend is done.

Not the answer I want though. ;-)

I haven't given up yet, I'll keep posting results and problems.

[SiMoNsAyS]

well i'm currently building a firefox 0.9.3 setup, including my themes, configs, bookmarks, profile and just everything (you can also include your internet cache ). ok the problem goes when i need to install it because it can not be done drive/path independant and this is freaking me out
i used the tutorial some1 posted, here
problem comes when you need to edit the CHROME.RDF file that contains path to apps. if anyone knows how to bypass this please let me know and i'll write a tutorial

edited: can any1 wrote a VB app to write a custom path on CHROME.RDF, like this, that replaces all occurrences of ****CHANGETHISSTRING**** with C:/Documents and Settings/USERNAME/Application on the CHROME.RDF file?? i know i know you don't understand what i want, read here

[charleski]

Thanks for the link! That guide is excellent and works for me. Just use the tools he provides and it all goes fine. I created a WinRAR SFX and told it to run CreateProfile after extraction.

[solohelp]

Yup worked perfectly for me too.

[SiMoNsAyS]

jdoe has written a guide to silent install mozilla firefox.
features:

• from firefox 0.8 and up
  
• drive independant
  
• folder independant
  
• full customization of configs
  
• themes
  
• extensions
  
• bookmarks
  
• available for all users with default settings
  
• and many more

i'm currently finishing it and it will be available SOON!