Installing via GP

[Jobos]

When installing Flash, Shockwave and Java via group policy is the deployment method assigned or advanced? Also, how do I install an update when a new version comes out?

[ajs]

I've always installed them as "assigned".

 

When it comes to upgrades (except for Java, which is currently on version 5 Update 11 since anything later breaks some of the Maths software we have), I usually uninstall them from the GPO and then add the new version in.

 

You can use the advanced tab to specify that newer versions are upgrades to previous versions but last time I tried this, it broke when a new machine was bought that didn't have the previous version.

[Heebeejeebee]

You'd also use advanced if you had some transforms you wanted to apply (always useful with Java/Acrobat installs).

 

@AJS - how do you get a later version round the network? Replace the install or add the new one?

 

HBJB

[powdarrmonkey]

You'd also use advanced if you had some transforms you wanted to apply (always useful with Java/Acrobat installs).

 

@AJS - how do you get a later version round the network? Replace the install or add the new one?

 

HBJB

 

Place the new MSI in the same location and rename it if needs be, then add it to the same GPO. If they have been designed correctly, group policy will flag it as an upgrade and do an in-place. If not, you'll have to remove the old assignment first.

 

I've never had the problem described above, it's a new one on me. Might have been that you explicitly listed it as an upgrade, rather than it being a true upgrade package.

[ajs]

You'd also use advanced if you had some transforms you wanted to apply (always useful with Java/Acrobat installs).

 

@AJS - how do you get a later version round the network? Replace the install or add the new one?

 

HBJB

 

Pretty much the same way that powdarrmonkey mentioned; although I often tend to err on the side of caution (and presume that all MSIs are badly constructed) and remove the old assignment first.

[powdarrmonkey]

I ORCA it if it's been badly written to start with

[Heebeejeebee]

Place the new MSI in the same location and rename it if needs be, then add it to the same GPO. If they have been designed correctly, group policy will flag it as an upgrade and do an in-place. If not, you'll have to remove the old assignment first.

 

I've never had the problem described above, it's a new one on me. Might have been that you explicitly listed it as an upgrade, rather than it being a true upgrade package.

 

I ask because I've only had limited success with any of the methods I've used.

 

I've tried unassinging the app, waiting for it to go from machines (not always convenient if they need to use the program) then deploying the new one. This works most of the time but not always.

 

Also tried the upgrade route via the advanced tab. This was the most unsuccessful way of doing it since it rarely picked up the updated file despite version numbers being different.

 

Also tried a parallel install with a different Group Policy Object with limited success.

 

@ Jobos - Sorry to hijack the thread but I also need to update Flash around the school and it's being troublesome.

 

Cheers

 

HBJB

[powdarrmonkey]

Windows' determination of whether it is an upgrade isn't based on version numbers alone, it's also on the GUID of the packages. An upgrade package should include a line saying 'I upgrade these GUIDs', and if 1) this is present and applies and 2) the version number is greater, then Windows treats it as an upgrade and automates lots of things.

[ajs]

@ Jobos - Sorry to hijack the thread but I also need to update Flash around the school and it's being troublesome.

 

HBJB

 

Flash is evil to start with though ;-)

[Gatt]

speaking of Flash and Java via GP - anyone know how to get the MSI's?

[ajs]

To get the Flash MSI I signed up for a "distribution license" via the Adobe site:

 

Adobe - Player Licensing

 

The Java MSI is made available in a temp folder when the setup routine is ready to go (I can't remember where it gets unpacked to though). There may be a switch that you can run with setup to get an administrative install that'll give you the MSI but I usually just nick it from the temp folder.

[powdarrmonkey]

At Adobe - Player Licensing

[Gatt]

Cheers guys - have applied for both now