Need to deploy Flash Player 8......... options?

[tosca925]

I want o depluy Flash player 8 to all domain computers. I have the msi file which is (install_flash_player_active_x.msi)

The switch i was going to use to install silently is 'install_flash_player_active_x.msi /qb but i am not sure which is the best option to get it to run.

 

I was wondering if you had any advice or a sample vbscript or .bat file which you use.

 

Am i correct in thinking i need to run it on the Copmuter settings>start up script section of GPO?

 

Thanks

[ajbritton]

As it is an MSI file, you can deploy it using Group Policy Software Installation policy. Assign it to all the PCs you want.

[tosca925]

But i think it needs the switch in a script or bat file for a silent install, other wise it requires user intervention.

[IanB]

As long as the .msi runs as a silent/non-interactive install, the software deployment group policy will do the rest. If it doesn't, you need to repackage it so that it does. You can test it using the following command line:

msiexec.exe /i \install_flash_player_active_x.msi /qn+

Replace with the path to the .msi. This will run the install without any user interface and pop up a box when it has finished, so that you know it ran correctly.

If you still want to use a script for deployment, replace /qn+ with /qn to get a completely silent install.

I found a full list of msiexec command line switches in the Micro$oft knowledge base- article no 227091.

Also, I recommend http://www.appdeploy.com for info about application packaging and deployment in general- it has masses of info.

Good luck.

[Geoff]

Also look here for info on getting stuff running sliently.

 

http://unattended.sourceforge.net/installers.php

[ajbritton]

1 - You should never attempt to (or really need to) repackage a decent MSI file. It is possible, but 99% of the time it's not necessary.

 

2 - You don't need to supply any switches. If you assign the software to PCs, the install will automatically be silent.

 

3 - If you need to customize the installation (you don't for the Flash MSI. I use it myself and it just works), then you would use something like Install Tailor from Wise, or ORCA, to produce a transform file (.MST) which customizes certain properties.

 

Having said all of that, there are SOME Windows Installer format files which have custom actions that require user input (thanks a lot RM), but these can often be disabled by producing a transform file which modifies the InstallExecuteSequence.

[free4440273]

bloody hell. just install flash one one machine - and then image it across the network using ghost or trueimage.

[free4440273]

*on one machine...

[kingswood]

I think free4440273 (you're not a number, you're a name I'm sure) is right. But most of the time using GPSI will work too. Of course the other option is to use a network share and put the flash installer inside and do it manually (yuck- it's not nice).

 

I prefer the idea of making a master image and then using ghost to take it up and push it out afterwards (or RIS).

 

Paul :-)

[sahmeepee]

A simple summary of the info in this thread might be nice in the wiki if anyone has the time, knowledge and inclination.

[ajbritton]

@free4440273: Ghosting is 'evil' and only for stoopid peepul (sorry, couldn't help myself)

 

also,

 

Maybe, just maybe all his machines are not exactly the same???!?!? or don't have the same software...

[Ric_]

A new Ghost image is slightly overkill for Flash (which is about 2MB)

[tosca925]

Like i have got time to ceate a new image and deploy to over 700 workstations.

 

Nice thought though.

 

Thanks for all the help and advice guys.

[free4440273]

takes all of five minutes on my network - jesus bl***Y christ!

[free4440273]

ajbritton, fine - you carry on with InstallExecuteSequence. great fun i'm sure...trueimage snap deploy does require identical workstations.

[free4440273]

...and don't call me stupid - stupid.

[free4440273]

"trueimage snap deploy does *not* require identical workstations". is what i meant to say.

[ajbritton]

'pologies free42536734. As an EduGeek member you clearly don't fall into the stupid category.

[free4440273]

ok brittany.

[free4440273]

...as an Edu-cated member, i mean.

[ChrisH]

Play nice please.

[kingswood]

I think the best thing to do is just deploy flash however you want...as long as it works for you :-)

 

Paul

[free4440273]

who said anything about playing?? this is serious stuff here - and I'm guy fawkes.