[kenedy]

AutoIt script for selecting/installing software.
kTool v1.1a
Source code

Features:
Works in GUI/Silent mode
Can work from GuiRunOnce/cmdlines.txt/Detached
Supports restarting (if any of installed software requires restart, PC is restarted and program execution is continued)
Autologon - if restarts are needed it (optionally) asks for currently logged on user password and writes autologon information to registry. Only required number of logons are written. Currently Win2000/XP only.
Separate software list for each Windows version (95/98/NT4/ME/2000/XP)

Full description

Screenshots:
Main GUI:


Progress type 1:


Progress type 2:


ChangeLog

Older versions:
1.0c
First version

[kenedy]

Removed
Link to file is moved to first post.

This post has been edited by kenedy: 29 September 2004 - 08:13 AM

[evilvoice]

very nice tool...one thing I would like to say is I notice ktool can have parameters passed to it, maybe you could include a parameter string so that say someone could run ktool 1,3,4,7,8,10...which would in turn silently install the first app header listed in file.ini, then 3,4,7,8, and lastly 10, just a suggestion...I would say something about avlable, but you said not to mention the layout...

[kenedy]

Quote

maybe you could include a parameter string so that say someone could run ktool 1,3,4,7,8,10...which would in turn silently install the first app header listed in file.ini, then 3,4,7,8, and lastly 10, just a suggestion...

This can be done but I can't imagine situation when this will be usefull. Can you explain it.

[evilvoice]

ya know what, youre right...because honestly, if you can type it in a cmd window, you could just select the software in the app...so, youre right...not really a good suggestion. Well, then, Id have to say this is **** near perfect (near cuz nothing is perfect )

[a06lp]

kenedy, on Sep 23 2004, 08:09 AM, said:

Suggestions that will make it more functional, on the other hand, will be carefully reviewed, and if I find them usefull - they will be added.

Suggestions:
how about Default Options, Select All, and Deselect All.

Seems pretty useful to me!!

Questions:
1) How many lines can each Program have? Can I have two RunWait commands in a row? 2 DosCommand ? etc?

2) For WaitProcess - am I typing the process name (the same thing i would use, for example, in TASKKILL - the exe in Task Manager?)

3) Could you explain the run from CD thing more clearly?

[kenedy]

Quote

how about Default Options, Select All, and Deselect All.

I'll think about adding Default Options (or maybe remembering last selection)

Quote

1) How many lines can each Program have?  Can I have two RunWait commands in a row? 2 DosCommand ? etc?

Only one of each type. Enough for all the programs I use.

Quote

2) For WaitProcess - am I typing the process name (the same thing i would use, for example, in TASKKILL - the exe in Task Manager?)

Yes, the process name from Task Manager

Quote

3) Could you explain the run from CD thing more clearly?

If you are running kTool from CD, drive letter is basically unknown and you cant use full paths. So add Append=CD to .ini file and paths will become relative to kTool.exe. (the path to kTool will be appended to command path)
Example. Suppose kTool.exe is in D:\soft. So instead of typing
[SomeSoftware]
Run = D:\soft\Folder1\SomeSoftware.exe
you type
Run = Folder1\SomeSoftware.exe

Note that that way you lose ability to launch programs from network and other drives.

[a06lp]

Quote

I'll think about adding Default Options (or maybe remembering last selection)

Default is the most important in that list, I just figured while you were at it, it would make it easier to do the other 2 as well...

Quote

Only one of each type. Enough for all the programs I use.

What if, for example, I have a program and an add-on? I'd have to do them seperately?
Also, I can have a list of up to 8 commands for one program (assuming they are all different commands, one of each = 8)

Quote

running kTool from CD

This sounds useful. Is it faster/slower than hard drive installation?

[kenedy]

Quote

What if, for example, I have a program and an add-on?  I'd have to do them seperately?

Yes.
But there is alternative. For installing hotfixes I use:

Quote

[Hotfixes]
RunWait = ktool.exe hotfixes.ini

There is no reason to select each hotfix separately so I just launch another instance of kTool in silent mode to install all hotfixes. hotfixes.ini contains
[KBxxxxxx]
RunWait = KBxxxxxx.exe /switches
for every hotfix

Quote

This sounds useful.  Is it faster/slower than hard drive installation?

Installing software from CD? Slower.

[edmoncu]

just a quick question... can this run at the t-39 stage?

[kenedy]

edmoncu, on Sep 23 2004, 08:29 AM, said:

just a quick question... can this run at the t-39 stage?

T39 = cmdlines.txt?

[evilvoice]

detahcedprogram from winnt.sif is t-39

[kenedy]

Haven't tried GUI mode but silent works fine.
Just dont use any commands besides Run and RunWait.

[sixpack]

Quote

I'll think about adding Default Options (or maybe remembering last selection)

I cant wait

[kenedy]

Uploaded new version.
New parameters in .ini file - AutoSelect and SaveSelection.
AutoSelect - default options
SaveSelection - remembers what was selected and writes that information to AutoSelect

[Config]
AutoSelect = |WinZip 9.0|WinRAR 3.4|Acrobat 6.0
SaveSelection = 1

[sixpack]

thanks for the update
works fine

[mazin]

@kenedy

COOL! I'll give it a try and report back. Thanks.

[Senser]

@kenedy, i just took a first look at kTool.

Really like your INI-syntax, very easy to use.

A few small suggestions for future versions of kTool:

INI-syntax:
- per application keyword 'default=1' for applications that should be installed by default
- global keyword 'autoInstallSeconds=360' will wait for user input till xxx seconds and than start installing the default applications only.

Interface:
- little typo 'avialable' should be 'available .
- i don't like selecting applications by using the cursor keys, i would like to browse though the list with cursur keys and select with spacebar or double click (for example). Maybe you can fix that?
- sort the application list by alfabet.

Thats it. Hope you like the suggestions.

[kenedy]

Quote

- per application keyword 'default=1' for applications that should be installed by default

There is global default application list now.

Quote

- global keyword 'autoInstallSeconds=360' will wait for user input till xxx seconds and than start installing the default applications only.

I have serious doubts about usefulness of this.

Quote

- little typo 'avialable' should be 'available . 

Ok. Will be fixed

Quote

- i don't like selecting applications by using the cursor keys, i would like to browse though the list with cursur keys and select with spacebar or double click (for example). Maybe you can fix that?

No. I like the current way. All mouse navigation is kept to minimum.

Quote

- sort the application list by alfabet.

But then you can't sort them by category.

[edmoncu]

wanna clarify something, where have you uploaded a newer version?