Windows XP Service Pack 3 Packaging
This article idea was suggested by KSchroeder.
Windows Xp Service Pack 3 [WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe] is around 316 MB and you can download it from the folowing link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en
Following is the link to the commandline switches for Windows XP SP3: http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=262992&start=0
We would prefer to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 in near silent [with progress bar] mode as the installation is taking place more than 30 minutes. So I used /passive command line switch in this article.
The issue with PASSIVE installation is that the progress bar has CANCEL button and user can cancel the installation, which we have to avoid.
Check the following screeshot for reference.
There is no switch to suppress the CANCEL button. However we can hide CANCEL button from being displayed to the user with the help of AutoIT scripting.
Check the following screen for reference:
Even though you hide CANCEL button, focus is still there on CANCEL button and by pressing Esc button, user can still cancel the installation. So you have to change the focus from the CANCEL button before hiding it.
I uesd vbscript to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 [which inturn installs the AutoIT script EXE] because vbscript will check for:
- 1GB free space before installation
- Once the install is finished, displayes completion message box
- returns the exit code of the installation
During the installation following message box will be dispalyed:
Attached is the ZIP file consistes of a vbscript [Install_Windows_XP_SP3.vbs] and AutoIT exe [Install_Windows_XP_SP3.exe].
Extract the files and copy to the folder where WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe resides. Execute the vbscript to install Windows XP SP3.
For AutoIT script code please go through the follwoing link on Symantec Connect: https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/windows-xp-sp3-installation-question
Please let me know the feedback.
Good luck.
Thanks,
Eshwar
Comments
Why were you using /passive?
I would use the /quiet option in place of /passive. This way the install runs silent and minimizes calls to the helpdesk asking why it is installing.
Additionally, there is no need for the user dialog if you have to use an AutoIT script to take away the cancel buttion. Just modify your VBScript to notify the user if they must be notified. Its much simpler and cleaner.
Remember, the #1 rule of packaging is keep it simple. And with something as critical as a service pack you dont need to add unneeded variables.
I don't disagree with you.
I don't disagree with you. You can use /quiet option and the install will takes place in complete silent mode. I also described the reason behind why we want to use /passive in the discusssion.
It is taking at least 30 - 45 minutes to install XP SP3 and there is a possibility [human tendancy] that the user can reboot during this time as there is nothing happenning. In order to avoid this situation we opted for /paasive switch.
Cheers,
Tillu
Using the /passive switch
Using the /passive switch does not in any way stop the user from rebooting their PC. The MS service packs are designed as self-healing applications to deal with just this kind of scenario.
Won't stop them, but might deter them
Having a window up with a moving progress bar can (but might not) deter a user from rebooting. Having one up with no cancel button is nicer because it allows the user to see how far along the installation is (that is, approximately how long until they can reboot) without the possiblity of them accidentally or purposefully canceling the install.
Thank you for providing your knowledge to accomplish this feat. While I personally might not use it - in our case, we try to hide as much as possible from the user - it seems like a very good tip that someone, somewhere could use.
/passive switch doesn't stop
/passive switch doesn't stop user from rebooting but still the user can see something is going on, right?
for more details on why we have gone for this script, go thorugh the following discussion
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/windows-xp-sp3-installation-question
Thanks,
Eshwar
SP3 deployement via PUSH Deployement on LAN
Well
may be i got entry through wrong way in this forum i thought this is relevant to my problem which i am currently facing
I make a folder consist of SP3,Setup which is provided in this forum.now when i double click that setup.exe it passivly install SP3 without any question.
i want to deploy it on LAN's PC through PUSH deployement
So i pick that setup.exe in PUSH Utility on remote computers it first prompt that SP3 is going to install then it extract files and after that it ask all questions required for SP3 installation.i,e(click "next" click "i Agree" etc)
So i want to deploy it on PC remotely without prompting any question
Kindly guide me accordingly
Thanks
Hussein Ahmed
Good Discussion , I prefer
Good Discussion , I prefer using /quiet
Wiseuser
Altiris Certified Professional
Goodone
Good tool to use. In this case would prefer using /quiet and provide a custom dialog displaying not to reboot/logoff/shutdown rather than using a third party tool.who knows tomorrow autoit my become a licensed software...!
good but still something left
This is great. but i have a concern. hiding the cancel button is fine. but for SP3 to run it runs an extraction of the files which shows up in a dialogue box. if we click the close button it goes away and setup fails. how to hide this box or the cross button on this box???
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