One of the sequential tasks fails with exit code -1
pmakaveev
June 10th, 2009
Hello,
I have set up a sequential task with two SWD tasks. The second SWD task depends on the successful exit code of the first one.
I am running NS 6.0 Sp3 with latest SWD solution.
I have noticed that on half of the targeted workstations the sequential task is failing, as you can see in the "Status" tab of the Sequential task page in the attached screenshots document.
When I double-click on the failed computer, I can see only the second of the sequential tasks showing with status "failed" and exit code -1.
What does the "exit code -1" mean? I think it is related to user intervention, but I could not find any document to support my thought.
Has anybody seen this and what could be a possilbe resolution?
Thank you!
Peter
This is one of those vague errors
Unfortunatly the -1 error can be caused by quite a few different things.
Adobe installers should be capable of generating a log file. please enable this package to do so and send the package again. Once I see the install log results I can tell you more about where this is failing.
If that is not possible say so and I can help you troubleshoot how to find more info about what altiris is doing.
no log files
Unfortunately, our packager did not implement any log files in the script. Each one of the SWD tasks is a batch script.
The fist one uninstalls any version of Adobe Acrobat.
The second one installs Adobe Acrobat 7 + a software called "Entrust".
Altiris reboots the computers after each of the two tasks with a warning and possibility for the user to postpone for 15 minutes.
The second task depends on the first one.
Can you separate the 2 tasks?
Can you separate the tasks and run them separately? At least then you can see which part of it is failing.
Technically - "yes",
Technically - "yes", practically - "no". The task shoud run together. This was the whole purpose of having / using the sequential task.
If I separate the tasks, then the user will not have any Adobe product until the second task runs. Also, there is a chance that the second task runs before the first (if there are separate tasks), which would lead to failures.
The purpose of the first task is to ensure that when the second task runs, all prerequisites are met.
the purpose of running them
the purpose of running them separately is only to determine which task is causing the failure. It is only a troubleshooting step. Sending the split task to one PC and seeing where it fails should be enough to reveal useful information
What happen if the User clicks "snooze" to pospone reboot
What happens if the user receive a message about pending reboot, but chooses to postpone the reboot.
Then, instead of letting Altiris reboot the computer, the user manually reboot or shut down the PC?
This could happen between the two sequential SWD tasks or after the second one.
The individual SWD tasks seems to be OK
I do not think any of the tasks is failing, as over 50% of the computers had no problem executing the sequential task. The problem appear on about 12 out of 29 machines.
I think the problem is synchronizing them together and the reboot between them. Since the user have an option to postpone the reboot, we do not have control what the user is doing at that point, which is bewtween the first tasks has been run successfully an the second task supposed to be started after Altiris reboot the PC.
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