[DaveXP]

ok will update guide when you have made it work.

[bjdotcom]

@DaveXP
For your info Slipstream Script looks to be down.

[DaveXP]

Do Right Click>Save As Target

The Link Change just today

[Aaron]

devil270975, on Oct 19 2003, 12:25 PM, said:

@DaveXP, i think i may have figured out how to use %systemdrive%, will not give any more info untill i have got it sussed

Have you found out yet?

From what I understand, the %systemdrive% variable doesn't exist during the RunOnceEx stage, right? I've thought about making a first RunOnceEx entry to use one of those scripts that some members have used to find their CD-ROM drive letter and set the variable. I'll have to find the code, but its something like:

IF EXIST C:\Install\confirm.txt SET %SYSTEMDRIVE% C:\
IF EXIST D:\Install\confirm.txt SET %SYSTEMDRIVE% D:\
IF EXIST E:\Install\confirm.txt SET %SYSTEMDRIVE% E:\

which would go into those numbered entries in the registry file:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx\001]
"1"="IF EXIST C:\Install\confirm.txt SET %SYSTEMDRIVE% C:\"
"2"="another one"
"3"="and so on"
@="Finding location of files..."

Just a theory though. (confirm.txt is just a blank txt file to confirm its existance in the Install folder)

[DaveXP]

i dont think IF EXIST would work in a .reg file but you do have a good thery if maybe you where to set that @ the start of the .reg file instead of doing like you have, may it would work i will look up in the Windows XP Registry book to see about varibles.

[Aaron]

I'm gonna give it ago in a sec

[gosh]

You could probably do Echo %systemdrive% >> blah.reg then import blah.reg. I assume it would save %systemdrive% as the correct letter.

-gosh

[Aaron]

This is kind of confusing

RunOnceEx doesn't like any variable at all (even tried %homedrive%\install\)

Doing an IF EXIST and SET command for %hdd% sets it to C:\, but only in the active command window. %hdd% won't work if run from anywhere else. Pretty much useless when the first runonceex key is set_variables.cmd (which is in system32) and the command window closes thus losing the variable.

Giving me a headache this is!

[gosh]

It's been mentioned you can use %11% for system32, etc.

And Aaron, if you're feeling a little tired you can always make me a temp mod and i'll look over the place for you.

-gosh

[Gism0]

meh, i find the best way is to do it via a batch file, ie:

SET KEY=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx

REG ADD %KEY%\zz010 /VE /D "Doing Stuff" /f
REG ADD %KEY%\zz010 /V 1 /D "%systemdrive%\Install\stuff.exe" /f

that way you can put variables in, i run this from cmdlines.txt

[Aaron]

hmm.... interesting!

So you run this from cmdlines?

[Gism0]

yep, along with some registry entries for HKCU, it installs all the stuff on the first login after setup

[Aaron]

Brilliant, this pretty much solves everything then! I'll throw in cmdow.exe to hide the command window from the end-user when its adding all those entries (creating a cd for a friend of mine )

[Gism0]

I think i'll do that too, REG likes to say something like "The command was successful" all the time, i could probably send it to nul but your way is cleaner

[X-Ecutioner]

Okay. I have a theory so please bare with me. I pretty much understand the whole concept of runonce where cmdlines.txt runs a batch file and this in turn makes a reg value in the regitry and setup deletes it as it runs so it only runs once. hence the name. However many things such as .msi files dont run correctly (from what I understand. Please correct me if I am wrong) unless the shell is running and you are logged in.

My theory:

Lets say you want to install things while logged on using the windows update method (the fancy looking .inf installation method for us obsessed with look, kind of people) hehe.

You would finish off the runonce updates (called from cmdlines.txt) with a batch file that copies a shortcut from your install folder to the all users --> startmenu --> startup folder. This shortcut calls up a batch from the install folder on your system drive (I use a shortcut rather than an actual batch because I have had no luck in running a batch file then having it delete itself. This is so that the first time you logon it will run a batch file that will in turn run an inf, lets say Gosh's idea for an installing inf file ----> I apologize for only referencing Gosh's work because he is the only person I can think of right now. Once again I apologize as I and my others know there is some tension in this forum with the people who have all those stars beneath their name.

Anywho, back to what I was saying, the batch file file would run the installation of an inf file and then would run a command to delete the shortcut in the startup folder so to not run every startup. I think thats it. Do you guys think I hit the mark with this or should I stop smoking what you guys think I would be smoking when I wrote this. lol

[Gism0]

I'm confused - everything should install fine from the RunOnceEx method as the shell is fully loaded at this stage, you only need to add the registry keys to inititate (or enable if you like) this method during cmdlines.txt so you shouldn't have a problem..

[gosh]

Good post X-Ecutioner, i mentioned something similiar in http://www.MSFN.org/board/index.php?showto...150&#entry79820

Someone should come up with a good way to do this.

-gosh

[X-Ecutioner]

@Gism0 I can't be sure but from what I gathered is not every program I have can successfully be run unless you are logged in.

@Gosh. I took a quick glance and I apologize if this is what you posted. I knew that if I read the whole thread I would find something like this. I knew I couldn't have been the only person to think of this.

[Gism0]

X-Ecutioner, on Nov 29 2003, 01:01 AM, said:

@Gism0 I can't be sure but from what I gathered is not every program I have can successfully be run unless you are logged in.

but arn't you technically logged in at this stage? it runs on the first login (usually administrator) where everything is loaded..

i've personally never had a single problem installing a program at this stage, only at the cmdlines stage

[X-Ecutioner]

back and forth, back and forth. lol. I could be wrong but I don't think you are logged in (COULD BE WRONG). I have never tried to install everything from runonce because I have heard that .msi files don't install perfectly as they would if you were logged in. Like I said I have heard. I have not yet tried installing everything from runonce.