Deploying Software via GP Help

[mmoseley]

Hiya All!

Got a problem, When i want to deploy a simple msi, i can do that...great!

What do i do when the software requires a serial/cd key? thats when i get stuck?

Ta, Mart

[FN-GM]

What is it you are trying to deploy? Some software for example Office 2007 have a file where you input all that kind of information.

[jcollings]

Hiya All!

Got a problem, When i want to deploy a simple msi, i can do that...great!

What do i do when the software requires a serial/cd key? thats when i get stuck?

Ta, Mart

Sometimes you can create a transform file (Office etc) which contains that info - other times you need to repackage it with serial number in place. Really depends on the software.

[SYNACK]

Certain MSI packages have a built in configuration area that you can use to create a distributable copy on a server. This will oftern allow you to add the nessisary cd key.

You will want to try starting the setup program with the /a switch eg:
setup.exe /a
or
msiexec someproduct.msi /a

[mmoseley]

Stupid things such as "Teaching Measures" (Junior school stuff) cant think of stuff off the top of my head,

Stupid thing, Im just using Group policy to manage software installations,

Cant figure out how to put in the serial keys, if its a simple msi with no user intervention its fine :S

[jcollings]

Stupid things such as "Teaching Measures" (Junior school stuff) cant think of stuff off the top of my head,

Stupid thing, Im just using Group policy to manage software installations,

Cant figure out how to put in the serial keys, if its a simple msi with no user intervention its fine :S

Basically you may need to repackage it using Winstall or similar.
Essentially, on a clean PC
1. Take a snapshot of the PC using Winstall
2. Install software & configure (e.g. enter serial number etc)
3. Take a second snapshot with Winstall
4. Winstall compares the 2, does some stuff and comes up with an msi which when deployed already has the serial.

Now please note I have simplified this to a huge degree - some software repackages a treat and some is a real cow and can take hours of work.

This site talks through some of the issues with some packages.
AppDeploy > Packages Knowledgebase Home

Hope that helps.