ActivStudio V3 Network install

[bishopsgarthstockton]

Hi just been on the promethean web site and found this Link regarding network installation.

[plexer]

The link you posted doesn't work as it has a sessionid in it just search for article 232683 or this link may work:

 

http://uk.prometheankb.com/display/4/kb/article.asp?aid=232683&tab=search

 

Ben

[bishopsgarthstockton]

Ben

 

cheers, i should have checked the link.

 

i wonder if the msi files will be available for free :?:

[Zoom7000]

I called support who redirected me to sales and asked for £100 for the msi. I told them to get lost.

 

Why can't they just make the installer an msi in the first place!

[tosca925]

Surely us here at Edugeek should have a word with thses robbing little buggers.

[webman]

redirected me to sales and asked for £100 for the msi.

...

Why can't they just make the installer an msi in the first place!

 

So they can charge people £100 a go!! :x

[alonebfg]

ok here is what i know we have just upgraded to vesion 3 which is a download and all 5 bits are msi the only problem is they need interaction.

if you go here http://www.prometheanworld.com/uk/server/show/nav.2785 put in your serial number and then you get a email with a limited download page as far as i know all you need is a serial number from 2.5 if you have not got it you cant get the update. i hope this helps.

this is the doc that contains what the update contains http://www.prometheanworld.com/uk/upload/pdf/Activstudio_3_new_features.pdf

 

as for network version look here http://uk.prometheankb.com/al/7723/10867/article.asp?aid=232683&bt=4n

[plexer]

They are releasing a proper v3 msi that doesn't need interaction.

 

When I get my email back again I'll get back in contact with the person at promethean who gave me the info.

 

Ben

[Zoom7000]

I just spoke to a Sharon Northover at Promethean, and she's asked for £25 for the msi version of the software.

 

Bit better I guess, but still unacceptable that we need to pay for something we've already paid for!

[plexer]

I've just emailed their corporate support manager and will let you know of his response.

 

Ben

[BKGarry]

i have the MSI's here, they are just put into temporary files when the setup is running, just do a search before you start the setup and you can copy them out. I have it here but will have to email it as it is 18mb

 

Gaz

 

I also have a copy of the latest activ driver which has the USB drivers digitally signed, what a god send

[plexer]

Ok the current line from Promethean is that this network deployable version will be available from them on CD at a cost of £25 it will not be available as a web download.

 

Ben

[webman]

Ben: did they say why it wouldn't be made available for download?

[plexer]

They did an the official line was:

 

It will not be made available for download as it comes bundled with additional tools to aid configuration.

 

Which I think is a really weak argument for it not being available to download.

 

Ben

[CyberNerd]

A bit like the idea OSS companies selling an integrated product but allowing you to download the source and compile/configure/deploy it yourself, but in this case Promethean already have your money. Anyone fancy putting together an MSI howto for this?

[plexer]

BKGarry: Did you download version 3 from the website link? what do you run to get setup to give you msi's that haven't been mangled?

 

the exisiting msi link for ver 3 has been mangled so that it requires you to enter your serial number you cannot create a transform to do it with that version.

 

Ben

[ZeroHour]

Guys I downloaded the MSI on the site.

Its VERY easy to get it to deploy for me so far.

Just create a transform with the following properties (this list will be revised ad-hock):

 

COMPANYNAME = {your company name}

PIDKEY = {the serial for version 2 or 3 WITHOUT "-" or spaces}

ACTIVSTUDIO3 = {UNC OF SHARED RESOURCES DIRECTORY}

RebootYesNo = No

 

NOTE: This must be a unc as using a mapped drive causes a error (as the installing account SYSTEM does not have the mapped drive. You can change this though later or I can hack out the check if you need it.

 

 

Then /qn (silent install) works fine.

If you have the EXE rather then the MSI then try getting:

http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7291

Right click the EXE and click Uniextract and then use the second option. It will also extract Data1.cab files and pretty much most things.

If you dont want that tool then run the exe and wait to the first "next" button dialog appears. Then browse to YOUR temp folder under:

documents and settings\{username}\local\temp (I think).

You should have a newly created MSI in there, just copy it and cancel the installation.

 

I will summarise this guide later if necessary in a new post for all to use.

 

Cheers

 

UPDATED:

I have a more complete guide at http://www.edugeek.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7299

Edited January 24, 2008 by ZeroHour

[ZeroHour]

MERGED WITH PREVIOUS POST - PLEASE DETELE

[Geoff]

You can also extract the MSI by either:

 

1. Running the setup.exe with /a command line switch. It'll ask you where to put the files. It'll then extract the contents of the wrapped MSI whereever you told it to.

 

2. Run the setup.exe and stay at the first screen. With the installer still running in the background, check the content of C:\WINDOWS\Installer (in some environments it ends up in your %TEMP% folder instead) You should see the msi and related files unpacked there.

[FatBoy]

Guys I downloaded the MSI on the site.

Its VERY easy to get it to deploy for me so far.

Just create a transform with the following properties (this list will be revised ad-hock):

 

COMPANYNAME = {your company name}

PIDKEY = {the serial for version 2 or 3 WITHOUT "-" or spaces}

ACTIVSTUDIO3 = {UNC OF SHARED RESOURCES DIRECTORY}

RebootYesNo = No

 

NOTE: This must be a unc as using a mapped drive causes a error (as the installing account SYSTEM does not have the mapped drive. You can change this though later or I can hack out the check if you need it.

 

 

Then /qn (silent install) works fine.

If you have the EXE rather then the MSI then try getting:

http://www.edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7291

Right click the EXE and click Uniextract and then use the second option. It will also extract Data1.cab files and pretty much most things.

If you dont want that tool then run the exe and wait to the first "next" button dialog appears. Then browse to YOUR temp folder under:

documents and settings\{username}\local\temp (I think).

You should have a newly created MSI in there, just copy it and cancel the installation.

 

I will summarise this guide later if necessary in a new post for all to use.

 

Cheers

 

Hi Zerohour may I ask what program you used to create the transform file?? Is there a fairly user friendly program out there that I could use as it will be the first time I have had to create a MST file!!

[ZeroHour]

Orca is what I used. Its not friendly to add files etc but its fine for doing the changes I listed.

Microsoft distribute orca with their sdk (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C2B1E300-F358-4523-B479-F53D234CDCCF&displaylang=en)

You only need to install the "Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers" part to get the orca.msi file.

The SDK is now a newer version then I used but it implies its still bundled.

 

Once in orca you can just open the msi and create a transform with the main menu options and then makes the changes. MST Changes are highlighted with a green bar effect.

 

Also see my walkthrough at:

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7299

Edited January 24, 2008 by ZeroHour

[rgriffiths]

I mailed promethean sales asking for the details of the CD, figured for the sake of 25 quid it'd be less hassle. Sales passed the query over to support, who told me to look at their article 10338uk which gives step by step instructions to create the working MSI files, and links to an app to customise the install. Not tried it yet, but that's going to be first on the cards this morning

[tarquel]

For info, they just directed me to their site to get the software. Didnt mention a network edition [tho i believe there was a difference "back in the day"]...

 

So long as u have a valid key [i.e. you have got a prommy board and software with it] you can use the said key to download the software from their site. And use whateverthesetupiscalled.exe /a to create a administrative installation at the location you choose. This can be modified or transformed as already mentioned and deployed.

 

Simple as...

 

Nath.

[Little-Miss]

Can someone tell me where i can get a copy of version 3 from? Just the normal version....someone has ran off with my CD and stupidly enough i dont know if its stored anywhere else...

[Sylv3r]

Can someone tell me where i can get a copy of version 3 from? Just the normal version....someone has ran off with my CD and stupidly enough i dont know if its stored anywhere else...

 

You can download the standalone .msi on the promeathean website, they will send you a link once you have put your serial number in. I think the link is valid for 14 days.