[sims] SIMS Silent Install

[Gatt]

Ok So I'm trying to silently install sims using this batch file

 

start /wait net use s: [url="file://sims-server/sdrive"]\\sims-server\sdrive[/url]
start /wait s:\sims\setups\simsinfrastructuresetup.exe -a {QuietMode}
start /wait s:\sims\setups\simsapplicationsetup.exe /S {QuietMode} [sIMSDirectory]="S:\SIMS" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"
start /wait s:\sims\setups\simsmanualsetup.exe /S {QuietMode} [sIMSDirectory]="S:\SIMS" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"
start /wait xcopy [url="file://sims-server/sdrive/connect.ini"]\\sims-server\sdrive\connect.ini[/url] "c:\program files\sims\sims .net" /y

 

Everything went in fine, but when I start SIMS I get this error:

 

SIMS.ini Problem

The sims.ini file cannot be located or is incomplete which means this system cannot be automatically updated.

 

This appears to be related to the SIMSInfrastructureSetup.exe, becuase if i run it without any switches I am prompted for Additional Infrastructure Options of SIMS Workstation Components and FMS Workstation componnets

 

How do I pass that I want these options applied during the silent install?

[GAS]

Hi,

 

i use above script and add the following at the end

 

copy S:\sims\connect.ini "C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net\"

copy S:\sims\Sims.ini "C:\WINDOWS\"

copy s:\SIMS\BWCC.DLL "C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net\"

 

*************

This is to allow write permision so normal staff can update sims workstation.

*************

 

cacls c:\progra~1\sims /e /t /c /g "all staff:f"

[Gatt]

Short of using sendkeys or autoit, you could alter your script to slide in a good copy of SIMS.INI before the error?

Maybe even right at the start.

 

(Let us know if you manage to get an unattended install working.)

 

 

That certainly removes the error, however, it would appear that Infrastructure also installs various components if not already presentL:

 

MSXML4, Adobe readeer 9.2, Borland Database Engine, etc

 

But ONLY if the boxes are checked at the start of it and as yet there appears to be no Switches to select these boxes!

Silent Install doesnt check or install them.......

[Gatt]

Cracked It!!!!

 

:D

 

simply add {SIMSWorkstation} and {FMSWorkstation} to the SIMSInfrastructure.exe setup to autocheck the 2 boxes!!

 

start /wait net use s: [url="file://sims-server/sdrive"][color=#000099]\\sims-server\sdrive[/color][/url]
start /wait s:\sims\setups\simsinfrastructuresetup.exe -a {QuietMode} {SIMSWorkstation} {FMSWorkstation}
start /wait s:\sims\setups\simsapplicationsetup.exe /S {QuietMode} [sIMSDirectory]="S:\SIMS" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"
start /wait s:\sims\setups\simsmanualsetup.exe /S {QuietMode} [sIMSDirectory]="S:\SIMS" [sIMSDotNetDirectory]="C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net"
start /wait xcopy [url="file://sims-server/sdrive/connect.ini"][color=#000099]\\sims-server\sdrive\connect.ini[/color][/url] "c:\program files\sims\sims .net" /y
start /wait xcopy [url="file://\\sims-server\sdrive\SIMS.ini"][color=#000099]\\sims-server\sdrive\SIMS.ini[/color][/url] "C:\Windows" /y

 

Just about to try it on a clean system to double check....

Edited July 12, 2010 by Gatt

[Gatt]

Ok it appears to have worked! though think the SIMS.ini still needs to be copied over...

 

Not sure why, but it installed all the extra components but still getting the SIMS.ini error..

[apeo]

Its worth running simsperm.bat too.

[Gatt]

@apeo - I set SIMS Permissions manually after SIMS is installed - saves all the headache of simsperm.bat

[apeo]

@apeo - I set SIMS Permissions manually after SIMS is installed - saves all the headache of simsperm.bat

 

Ah fair enough, figured you were automating everything so setting permissions could be done after install.

[Gatt]

Yeah, I just dont use SIMSPerm.bat - gonna use a GPO i think to set those permissions

[JonahIJ]

Superb - a site I support has just moved from CMIS to SIMS, and we were facing the task of the SIMS Workstation install.

 

using the above with SCCM I have just deployed to all machines on site with no problem - and confirmed with a staff member it works perfectly.

 

We also use Group Policy to manage the permissions for SIMS to prevent any issues with updates, etc.

 

Thanks for the above!

[oxide54]

there's an MSI here for SIMS for anyone not running System Center,

 

http://www.schooltechnician.co.uk/knowledge_base/sims/sims_workstation_msi_for_network_deployment.html

 

i used for about a year before we moved to app-v worked flawlessly,

 

ditto using GPO's to set the permissions on C:\Program Files\SIMS (or is SIMS.net) and C:\Windows\Temp

[MattGreaves]

there's an MSI here for SIMS for anyone not running System Center,

 

SIMS Workstation MSI for network deployment*-*Schooltechnician.co.uk

 

i used for about a year before we moved to app-v worked flawlessly,

 

ditto using GPO's to set the permissions on C:\Program Files\SIMS (or is SIMS.net) and C:\Windows\Temp

 

Does anyone have a copy of the above .MSI? Tried downloading from the School Technician site, however the download is no longer available... Any help greatly appreciated!

[PhilNeal]

SOLUS 3 is available for installing and upgrading SIMS. No hacks are required and upgrading of the EXEs will be possible too.

[matt40k]

SIMS.ini Problem

The sims.ini file cannot be located or is incomplete which means this system cannot be automatically updated.

 

FYI: This is because your sims.ini is missing the simssetupsdirectory= line. You can either have a script to add it in, remove simsload from the shortcut, or copy over the sims.ini first (bonus is you don't have to detail all the sets - so just simsapplicationsetup.exe /S {QuietMode})

 

But like Phil says, SOLUS3 is the way forward. Lower permissions for staff too. Unless you're using SCCM like @JonahIJ then it's just more work - well as far as setting up a new workstation goes away.

[napsburypark]

This script is a great help, but could I be cheeky and ask how easy it is to add code on to this to install FMS as well?

 

Many thanks.

[morganw]

This is my deluxe version which you might have to adjust a bit, just comment out the bits you don't need to make separate scripts for FMS and SIMS.

[napsburypark]

Wow, thanks morganw - for the past 18months I have had to do this all manually every time! ... Never again!

[morganw]

It's never failed me yet but (as others have stated), as long as it works, SOLUS3 should be the final solution to all deployment and upgrade problems. I've never been able to get staff to be able to run the upgrades without making them local administrators even after implementing all of the permission changes from the simsperm batch file. I just hope that the style of deployment it uses can be incorporated into an unattended workstation build, I won't be impressed if I have to push or re-approve an installation of SIMS on a workstation after triggering a rebuild.