Install USB Driver across a network - data loggers

[rocknrollstar]

Hi, we have just purchased several USB Data Loggers from TTS. Just wondering if it is possible to install a usb driver for these devices across a network, to prevent me from installing it on each machine? Can this be done through GPOs or scripts etc?

 

The software to use the data loggers doesn't include the usb driver, but the driver is in a seperate directory on the install CD. Hence why I can't just install the software across the network (as it excludes the driver).

 

Many thanks for any ideas

[leco]

Would be interested in the replies to your request as I also have some of these to install over the summer.

[maniac]

I would suspect that even if you manage to install the driver onto the machines remotely, you'll still have to log onto the machine as an admin level user with the USB device plugged in in order for it to actually install on the machine. USB devices are a pain like this,

 

e.g scanners in ICT suites, if the student changes the USB port it's plugged into, the machine detects it as new hardware and even thou the drivers are there it still doesn't let them install it, which is good in one respect, but a pain in another. This also happens with the USB dongles for Cubase and the USB external sound boxes that the Music department have.

 

Mike.

Edited July 16, 2008 by maniac

[rocknrollstar]

Thanks for that Mike. I thought as much. USB ports are a pain, particularly when there are loads and the kids plug them in the wrong one.

 

Oh well, worth a shot

[meastaugh1]

I would suspect that even if you manage to install the driver onto the machines remotely, you'll still have to log onto the machine as an admin level user with the USB device plugged in in order for it to actually install on the machine. USB devices are a pain like this,

 

e.g scanners in ICT suites, if the student changes the USB port it's plugged into, the machine detects it as new hardware and even thou the drivers are there it still doesn't let them install it, which is good in one respect, but a pain in another. This also happens with the USB dongles for Cubase and the USB external sound boxes that the Music department have.

 

Mike.

 

This type of behaviour is dependent upon the driver's WHQL status. If the driver is digitally signed (WHQL'd), then it should be possible to deploy the driver silently without the need for an administrator user to finish the install. If not signed, then yes, the above applies.

[kmount]

Is it possible to 'trick' XP into thinking something is signed?

 

(Looks at the 5 graphics tablets that just landed on the desk)

[meastaugh1]

I don't think so, I can recall looking into this a while back and authenticode signatures rings a bell. I think it is possible to silently install non-WHQL drivers with authenticode on Server 2003 and later, although I may have misunderstood.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver/install/authenticode.mspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb663041.aspx

[kmount]

Mmmm... might be worth an hours nosy.

 

Cheers Michael.

[softulz]

Purgos will do some windows device driver updates. If you hit up [email protected] they can tell you specifically if it will work.

 

Softulz.Net - Purgos WMI based network and system administration software

 

Also the beta is going to be released and has better support for windows driver updates.

[rocknrollstar]

Just wondering, if I create an msi by comparing a before and after state of a machine, will this also include the usb driver installation? I.E.

 

Step A - using MSI creation software, take a 'before' snapshot'

Step B - fully install software and usb driver and plug it in and get it working

Step C - Using MSI software, now take the 'after' snapshot and voila! Hopefully....

 

Do you think this would work? Perhaps not ideal, but a possible solution?

[ryn_gillis]

I have tried to do this using Rapid Install from Symantec and I still have the problem of needing admin rights to install this driver and on each usb port.

From all the stuff I have found on the web, it is because of the unsigned drivers.

So no joy, two devices (an Avervision document camera and a Boreal microcsope) times 60 laptops, time 4 USB ports equals 2 unhappy techs!

[SYNACK]

This post could help with your situation:

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/hardware/33485-signed-driver-package.html#post314181

I think it includes adding the signature of the driver into the trusted list automaticly.

[sted]

would it be an ecologger? if do the version of the software on the website works as a msi deploy from server and as it has signed drivers just installs the first time the device is plugged in by a user