GUI based software installation

[kryon]

Hi,

I have created a software to make the software installation during the unattended installtion much easier. You don`t have to mess with batchfile anymore - just edit an XML file, that's all! The only thing you have to do during setup is installing .NET framework and call the autoinstaller.

You can download the tool for free at

sw.ad2.de

Cheers,

kryon

[leo2003]

Would like to see one script of example for the installation of updates of the Windows+Hotfixes.

[Twisted Maniac]

interesting....can you post some script Xamples?

[b0r3d]

Let me just express how impressed i am with this little program you've devised. Its a stroke of genious!

Soon as i figure out how to use it, you'll bet all my installs will be using this god send of a program.

Thank you Kyron!

[kryon]

Hi,

the nstructure of the XML file is described in the HTML file included within the ZIP file.

As an exaple have a look at this one:

====CUT====

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

<autoconf>

//config section

<config>

//logfile in which all information is stored

<installerlogfile>c:\salInstaller.log</installerlogfile>

//WorkInProgress: XML File for storing status

//In future version multiple reboots during installation will be supported

<statusxml>%SYSTEMROOT%\installerstatus.xml</statusxml>

</config>

//app section for each application

//appname is the name to be shown during installation

<app appname="Adobe Acrobat">

//cmd is path to executable WITHOUT parameters

<cmd>%systemdrive%\install\Adobe\AR6.msi</cmd>

//switches are the parameters to the application

<switches>/QB</switches>

//desc is an optioanl description

<desc>Software for reading pdf files</desc>

//NOT READY YET

//WorkInProgress: reboot shows the reboot behaviour of the application

//The following are possible:

//none - do not reboot

//application: reboot will be performed by app

//installer: installer will perform reboot

//after the reboot the installation continues until it is finished

<reboot>none</reboot>

</app>

<app appname="SmartSurfer">

<cmd>%systemdrive%\install\Surfer\Setup.exe</cmd>

<switches>-s -f1"%systemdrive%\install\Surfer\setup.iss"</switches>

<reboot>none</reboot>

</app>

<app appname="Freezip">

<cmd>%systemdrive%\install\freezip\freezip.exe</cmd>

<switches>/q</switches>

<reboot>none</reboot>

</app>

<app appname="GoogleToolbar">

<cmd>%systemdrive%\install\google\toolbar.exe</cmd>

<switches>/qn</switches>

<desc>Enhancement for IE</desc>

<reboot>none</reboot>

</app>

<app appname="Virenscanner">

<cmd>%systemdrive%\install\avirus\setup.exe</cmd>

<switches>/silent</switches>

<desc>H+B EDV Antivirus</desc>

<reboot>none</reboot>

</app>

<app appname="Biet-O-Matic">

<cmd>%systemdrive%\install\ebay\biet.exe</cmd>

<switches>/q</switches>

<desc>Ebay bidding tool</desc>

<reboot>none</reboot>

</app>

//The actions to be taken after the installtion has finished

<finally>

//timeout for informational screen

<wait>10</wait>

//what to do after installation:

//none - do nothing

//logoff - logout the current user

//reboot - reboot the machine

//shutdown - shutdown the computer

<endaction>none</endaction>

</finally>

</autoconf>

====CUT====

Regards,

Stefan

[b0r3d]

Is it possible to have multiple commands executed under the one application heading ?

Ie.

Copying System Tools

Copies:

psshutdown.exe

pskill.exe

deluser.exe

[kryon]

copying files would be really easy - do you waynt to copy single files or do you prefer copying all files of a specified directory to another givven dir ?

regards,

kryon

[b0r3d]

Id prefer to copy single files. Just for reference.

Also, how would i go about using normal dos commands?

For example, copy, regedit, del, md, rd etc. ?

[kryon]

The easiest wait to copy files would be using DOS commands like:

<app appname="copy file...">

<cmd>cmd</cmd>

<switches>/C copy c:\install\test.txt c:\test\xyz.txt</switches>

<desc>copy copy copy</desc>

<reboot>no</reboot>

</app>

At the mioment I'm working on a real XML solution - I think it will be ready for testing in about half an hour.

regards,

stefan

[b0r3d]

I'll be here!

btw, you didnt answer my question about multiple commands

[webmedic]

this is nice but what does it look like. It only crashes whith an error on my system.

[kryon]

Hi,

next version is ready. Now copying files and directories is possibloe, when using the <filesysystem> section. Please see the included XML file for more information. I will write the documentation later on...

At the moment it is not possible to run multiple commands in one <app> section. If you would like to have this as a new feature feel free to register at sw.ad2.de and post your request in the "feature request" forum.

cheers,

stefan

[webmedic]

so if .net is not yet installed on the target system how would this work? IT wont?

[b0r3d]

From my understanding, no it wont. But thats okay. Just run a batch to install .net, then run the program to install everything else.

[Geckotek]

Forgive my ignorance (know nothing of xml files, .net, and the like,) but what exactly does this accomplish and why is it easier to "just edit the xml" than to just edit a batch file?