Lego Mindstorms

[GoldenWonder]

I've just had Lego Mindstorms NXT Education dropped on my desk, a full site license.

 

However its the usual problem, a site licence that means you can install a single user page across hundreds of PCs!

 

Has anyone managed to deploy this across a network? Its around 650Mb so its a fairly big package to deploy automatically.

[Potato-Peeler]

A job to deploy during summer perhaps? Or if you happen to re-image any suites?

[GoldenWonder]

I was hoping to avoid manual deployment! It takes ages to install as it is

[Potato-Peeler]

Sorry, when i said deploy i meant as group policy over summer, as though its large, it wouldn't bother anyone over summer?

[GoldenWonder]

Alas, it doesn't come with a proper MSI and a package I created with Wininstall LE failed. Just wondering if anyone had deployed it successfully and using what?

[powdarrmonkey]

We've never yet found a way to deploy this automatically, I've lost count of the number of different ways I've tried and none of the work. It's an odd one.

[GoldenWonder]

Thats the answer I half expected and dreaded!

[russdev]

I have it on my system deploying as msi but trying to remember how I sorted it let me look back through helpdesk I remember it was quite easy to do once sorted final step out.

 

Russ

[mattx]

I deployed it using Prism Deploy:

 

Prism Deploy - Automated Software Deployment from New Boundary

 

We have an old version of this which still works but it is quite expensive.

 

You could always knock up a install script.....

[russdev]

Here is my notes

 

CC3 Instructions used as basis for cc4.

 

MAIN SOFTWARE:

 

1) Perform the first scan and install the app using the setup.exe file on the CD

2) DO NOT reboot computer after installation

3) Perform the second scan

4) Open msi in msi editor

 

Delete "Uninstall LEGO Mindstorms Edu NXT" & "Readme" shortcuts

Delete all HKCU entries

 

Flash Player install needs to be removed from the msi using the following instructions:

 

Delete all files in Target Dir "[systemFolder]\Macromed\Flash\"

Delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup" Key

 

Click on Registry

 

Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID

Delete {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}

Delete {D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}

Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Typelib

Delete {57A0E746-3863-4D20-A811-950C84F1DB9B}

Delete {D27CDB6B-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}

 

You will need to save after each individual regkey delete otherwise these just re-appear

 

To remove the driver install from the MSI:

 

Delete all files from [WindowsVolume]\Config.MsiDelete all Driver files in folder VXIPNP

Delete "Create Folder" entries for VXIPNP

Delete HKCR\Installer\Features\8A1A2DB22FA2E064AA3C8E3288E43B60

Delete HKCR\Installer\Products\8A1A2DB22FA2E064AA3C8E3288E43B60

Delete HKCR\Installer\UpgradeCodes\7632B6917C3C58942B09E77A6FD8454B

Delete HKLM\Software\National Instruments\Common\Installer\Distributions\{996AB818-B1E4-4863-9DB3-36E77E47EB5D} _1.0.0.0_9\{2BD2A1A8-2AF2-460E-AAC3-E823884EB306}

Delete HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\@WinVol\Config.M si

Delete HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\Folders\@WinVol\*VXIPNP

Delete HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UpgradeCodes\7632B6917C3 C58942B09E77A6FD8454B

Delete HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

Delete HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

 

You will need to save after each individual regkey delete otherwise these just re-appear

 

 

DRIVER MSI:

 

You only need the msi file from CD. All other mst files are not needed.

 

1) Run AppWiz and choose the "add an existing msi" option

2) Edit msi with ORCA and remove all references to "Disk 1" from Media table and replace with .\

 

I had some problems with the install when placed in the folder called v1.0.0.0 but this may be another issue i was having. It will work without this folder structure

 

Add the command Dependencies=mainsoftwarename to the ini file.

 

Would still fail to download to the brick under anything other than system admin.

 

Write Access entry was needed to give everyone full access to VXIPNP folder.

 

 

This is based on work from a guy from RM Communities.

 

So will need to use something like WinInstall to do first scan and second scan.

 

Then edit msi that is produced with the edits above.

 

Russ

[powdarrmonkey]

I deployed it using Prism Deploy:

 

Prism Deploy - Automated Software Deployment from New Boundary

 

We have an old version of this which still works but it is quite expensive.

 

You could always knock up a install script.....

 

Hmm, we use Prism packager, just not the deployment tool. Care to share any tips? It just wouldn't work for us.

[AdamGrice]

The Mindstorms 2.0 package in made up of three parts

 

Main program

Driver for the device

Visual C++ Runtimes

 

These were all MSI within the package downloaded from the Mindstorms website.

These did not deploy successfully when run separately.

 

I had had to repackage the product.

I ran discover with WIN INSTALL LE (pre shot)

The main (Standalone installer) Setup program had to be used to install the software.

 

I then used The Visual C++ Runtime msi to uninstall this component.

I then ran the post shot of the computer

 

The MSI that was created then is fully deployable

Deploy the C++ runtimes separately

Hope this helps

Thanks

Adam

[PuertoRico]

Hi Adam,

 

fantastic set of instructions.

unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

can i ask you about the win install le version that you use to make the msi.

i am using the 10.10.0010 build 42.48.

 

i have the v2.0 mindstorms cd - will this make any difference?

 

thanks

Patricio

[AdamGrice]

Hi Sorry havent been back to you sooner.

 

The version I used is 5.1.2600.5512 (older one I know)

 

Dont forget to uninstall the C++ runtimes before you run the discover post install shot of the computer.

 

I could send you MSI made if you like?

 

Thanks

 

Adam

[PuertoRico]

Hi Adam,

Thank you for you replied.

that will be great - this will stop me going more grey ;-).

 

Thanks Patricio

[mcarson]

Hi Adam & Patricio- Any chance you could shoot me a copy of the MSI? I have tried to build one and have not had luck getting it to go. Thank you- Mike

[AdamGrice]

Patricio did this work for you?

[lancia]

Could i have a copy of this too..

[iadubber]

Sorry to bring back from the dead. I've not had any luck packaging this up as an msi. Does anyone want to share their MSI? Thanks!

[davemoomin]

sorry guys i'm in the same boat, anyone have an MSI i can use please

[jamin100]

ditto...

If the MSI could be posted it would be great

[qcomer]

You do not need an MSI to install Lego Mindstorms.

 

Are you trying to push out with GPO or SCCM?

 

Here is the command we use: setup.exe /q /AcceptLicenses yes /r:n. We use SCCM but you could also throw that in a batch file to run at startup within a GPO if you don't have SCCM. Works perfect!

[davemoomin]

Qcomer, i think i love you.

my technician isn't quite so please as literally this morning he ran round 1 IT rooms and manually installed the software

 

thanks anyway

[Tyler2569]

Sorry to bring back this thread from the dead but i have to mention PDQ Deploy works perfect for network installs, without having to use sccm. No MSI needed, just bring in the .exe file set the switches as shown above and let it deploy. I have used it to push the initial full install and to push the patches.

[kershaws]

Tyler2569 I am trying to deploy Lego Mindstorms using Pdq deploy and am having no luck. I know im forgetting something. Would you mind sharing with me how you set up the deploy package? Did you do a install or a command? I have tried every way I can think of and it fails every time.