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admin images and auto updating service packs
2

admin images and auto updating service packs

admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
OK, I have and admin image created with the admin director. A batch file does the SW install as well as some other utilities, etc.

When I update the admin image with a new service pack, the next time the clients reboot their PC's they do not update to the next service pack automatically. I still have to have everyone run the SP upgrade on their PC.

Does anyone know how and if it is possible to have clients automatically update with the admin image SP, much like PDMWorks does?

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

Their PC's have had SolidWorks installed from disc, not from Admin Image. After you have the image created on the server, uninstall SW from their pc's, then browse to the image and dbl-click on it. It will install SW on their pc's and they will get auto updated next time.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

Our IT department uses the "msiexec" command in logon scripts to push out the updates from the admin image.  Just because you update the admin image does not mean the clients will update automatically.  The clients still have to updated either manually or through an automated script.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I have the image on the server. (.msi).
Whenever I do an SP update on the server, the next time our users opens SW, they get a message that SW is updating. It has worked for 2004 and 2005 for us. Works great. I leave IT dept out because they don't understand it, they open the server room for me and in 45 minutes it is updated.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

Are you using the admin director Chris?

Jason Capriotti
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
Chris,

Can you give me a quick run down of the process you use. I also have the image on the server and do the install from the .msi file, yet I do not get the automated install.

I call out my msi file silently and use and .mst file to pass all my options.

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

ctopher,

I have 70+ installs of SWX using my admin image, but not once have any of them updated by themselves. I've been using the admin image since it was available, but again not one seat has ever updated itself. I'm curious as to how you're accomplishing this as well.

T.I.A.

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
Kevin,

Here is something odd. Of the 30 PC's here that have SW installed on them from the same admin image, one of them updates automatically when I update the admin image, the other 29 do not. I can think of nothing I did differently or anything different about the one pc that automatically updates.

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

You can not have SolidWorks installed anywhere on the pc's. Do a clean uninstall, then reinstall from the image on the server. When you update to next SP, do it on the server. All users have to have SolidWorks closed (not running) when this happens. The next time they run SW, it will update.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

You will need to load SW onto the server and the SW cd's to create the admin image.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
Chris,

You must be doing something else that I am not doing. I just did a complete uninstall on a pc, clean out everything dealing with SW from the registry and deleted the install directory.

I then created a new admin image from the CD's, without using the Administrative Director. Just a plain old admin image.

I installed SW on the client machine using the following.

msiexec /i "\\Network path here\english_i386_solidworks.msi" INSTALLDIR="c:\Program Files\SolidWorks2005" TOOLBOXFOLDER="c:\Program Files\SolidWorks2005" SWSPUPGRADE=1 UPGRADESWINSTALL=0 SOLIDWORKSSERIALNUMBER="0010 0038 7140 7101" DIMENSIONINGSTANDARDSELECTION=0 DONGLEDRIVER=0 ENABLEPERFORMANCE=0 UNITSELECTION=3 ADDLOCAL=English,SolidWorksAnimator,SolidWorksTaskScheduler,FeatureWorks,InstantWebsite,PhotoWorksRender,SolidWorksToolbox,SolidWorksUtilities,RealViewGraphicsdisplay OFFICEOPTION=0 SERVERLIST=25734@jhas13 /qb


I then created updated the admin image from sp0 to sp1.1. I did this from a different client to avoid any complications. I then restarted the client machine and launched SW. It did not update to sp1.1.

Can you note any differences in what you are doing and what I am doing.

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I'm curious as to why the clients must not be using SWX when you apply the SP to the admin image. The clients don't need anything from the image on the server once it's installed as far as I know. The only thing referencing back to the server is in the registry regarding the installation source location.

I do create the admin images locally then transfer them to the server as it's faster to do this. Is it possible you're creating your image differently, i.e. on the server vs. on a client then moving it to the server?

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
I create mine locally and copy it to the server as well.

Kevin, how do you distribute SW to the clients. Do you use a batch file with all the settings similar to what I posted above?

Chris, how do you distribute SW to the clients. Do they each launch the msi file manually and follow the on screen directions or do you pass it silently somhow like I mentioned above?

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

Have everyone close SW. Go to server, create image using CD's on the server (from SW that is installed on the server). Go to each pc, browse to the file: English_i386_SolidWorks.msi, dbl-click on it. SolidWorks will go thru install process on the pc. When updating to next SP, have everyone close SW, go to server, download SP and install. Update admin image. Next time user opens SW, it will update. I hope I made sense.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

In the past users didn't have admin rigths to their systems, but that has recently changed so we can just send them the batch file.

Here's the batch file I use to do the installs with:

msiexec /i "\\us2ks004\apps$\cad support\programs\SolidWorks 2004\installation\English_i386_SolidWorks.msi" INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\SolidWorks" OFFICEOPTION=1 SOLIDWORKSSERIALNUMBER="XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX" DIMENSIONINGSTANDARDSELECTION=0 UNITSELECTION=3 DETAILINGOPTION=1 ENABLEPERFORMANCE=0 ADDLOCAL=ChineseSimplified,PhotoWorksRender,FeatureWorks,SolidWorksAnimator,SolidWorksTaskScheduler,SolidWorksUtilities  SERVERLIST=25734@us2ks070 /qb

It's basically the same as Josh's.

So you do not use a batch file or do any kind of silent install Chris?

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

Also, could I/we not just stop the SNL service to make sure nobody is using SW when we upgrade the image?

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

No batch file. Have it on the server where everyone can get to. I tried a batch file once and not everyone was updated properly.
Do not stop the service to do this just to make sure everone is off. I did this once and SW got corrupted.
Inform all users to stay off during a certain time frame.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

There must be something that's written to the local registry of the system when installing it this way. Is it possible for you to send me a copy of the registry from one of your systems. I'd really like to get this to work using the SI method. If I can compare your reg vs. my reg I might find something.

I have 70+ installs and some are across the country, doing them the long way is and would be a nightmare. I can't wait 30+ minutes per install, it would take me an entire work week to get them done.

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I also suppose there might be a file created in the SW program directory that causes SWX do look for an update too.

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
Kevin I am trying several things on my end. I will let you know what I come up with per this forum. Please do the same.

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I have it set up for 20 workstations and it works fine. I have the original image on my pc. And when I update I just delete the image from the network location and copy mine in its location. Then next morning all systems update sw-sp as they should.

I have created all the primar-SW-install from the network image using the following command:
\\YournetworkLocation\ swsetup.exe /ini \\YournetworkLocation\ SolidWorks_2005_SP0_client_options.ini

Then the following is in the ini-file:

[Destination Folder Section]
INSTALLDIR=C:\Program Files\SolidWorks 2005\
TOOLBOXFOLDER=C:\Program Files\SolidWorks 2005\
[Upgrade Section]
SWSPUPGRADE=0
UPGRADESWINSTALL=1
[Security Section]
SOLIDWORKSSERIALNUMBER=**** **** **** ****
[Properties Section]
DIMENSIONINGSTANDARDSELECTION=1
DONGLEDRIVER=0
ENABLEPERFORMANCE=1
UNITSELECTION=4
[Features Section]
ADDLOCAL=English,SolidWorksAnimator,SolidWorksTaskScheduler,FeatureWorks,InstantWebsite,PhotoWorksRender,SolidWorksToolbox,SolidWorksUtilities,RealViewGraphicsdisplay
[Extra Options Section]
ADMINMSIPATH=\\Fs_almelo\Softdata\SWImage\2005\English_i386_SolidWorks.msi
BEFORECMD=\\fs_almelo\Softdata\SWImage\startandstop\start.bat
AFTERCMD=\\fs_almelo\Softdata\SWImage\startandstop\stop.bat
REGPATH=\\Mserver\mechdata\Solidworks\Data\SW2005_Standard_Settings\swSettingsCurrent.reg



This is created with the administrative tools. Maybe you can try to use it this way. Btw, dont use the last 3 commands ;)

Regards

Bouke Brouwers
Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP1.0

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

ow, When I reread my post. I think the key maybe in the parameter:

UPGRADESWINSTALL=1

You might also be able to add such a thing to the msiexec.exe parameters.

Bouke Brouwers
Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP1.0

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

If you use the silent install you can push it out over the network from a single computer to all clients.

Check out silent installs

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
Bouke,

I have done the exact same thing that you have done except you use the .exe with a .ini file and I use the .msi with a .mst file. The end result should be the same, a silent install with all options passed in the background.

I will try it with the .exe .ini process and see if it makes a difference.

I have used the UPGRADESWINSTALL=1 option in the past as well and so I dont think that is the trigger to make it work.

I would like to know what the SWSPUPGRADE=0 does but it is not documented in the help guide.

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

@Scott, You are always giving us good info and help. But you might also actually read this thread before replying...

@Josh, Do you happen to have a path somewhere in the .mst file that some clients cant reach??

I ask this because I myself made that mistake. I tried to log every-install and made a directory on a network disk that only I can access. Then when I updated to SP1.1 from 0.1 the install only worked on my own pc. Seems the SW-SP-install had crashed somewhere in the process. I tried editing the .ini but it didn't matter.

The cure was to log in on all the systems with my own log-in (I have administrator-rights on all systems). Then, after of course fixing the .ine file, I would start up SW and then they would update as they should.

When I applied SP2.0 there were no problems except complains of people one morning y the network was so slow :P

Maybe you can post the contents of your .mst file here.

Regards,

Bouke Brouwers
P4 2,8 2Gb RAM, Quadro FX 500
SW2005 SP2.0

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I don't have the time to read every single post when I come into the middle of a thread. My job is to demanding anymore and I had been away all last week.

I know you where wanting to have the clients upgrade automatically.

My suggestion to you is look into using silent install nothing more.

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
Ok here is the solution in a long winded format.....

Initially I was using the .msi file with the .mst to pass properties.

This was not allowing the new service packs to automatically update. I then created a fresh admin image at sp0. Went to a clean PC, installed SW by double clicking on the swsetup.exe file and manually filling out all of the options along the way. I then updated the admin image to sp1.1. Launched SW on the newly installed PC and nothing. It did not update to sp1.1.

Next I tried using the swsetup.exe with an .ini file with the options matching Bouke's above. I didnt think this would make a difference because the options in the .ini file were the same as mine were in the .mst file.

However it made the difference. As soon as I fired up SW after updating the admin image it installed the new SP.

So in short, you have to use the the .exe with a .ini file.

Josh


RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

(OP)
I did not try manually double clicking on the .msi file. I did try manually double clicking on the .exe file, and I tried using the .msi with a .mst as well as and .exe with a .ini.

Of those last three that I tried only the .exe with .ini worked.

I am not interested in manually double clicking on the .msi because that is to manual. I want a silent install and will need the .ini to pass all my options.

Josh

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

Ok, so you have your solution :)

Maybe when U use the msiexec.exe windows uses its own routines to handle it. It might be that the SWsetup.exe does the same but is a little more advanced. Or something like it.

Regards,

Bouke Brouwers
P4 2,8 2Gb RAM, Quadro FX 500
SW2005 SP2.0

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I wonder if it has anything to do with the admin image residing on the same machine that serves licenses.  We have our admin image on a Unix file server (i.e. not the machine that serves licenses), and none of the clients has ever updated by itself.  We have to use batch scripts with the "msiexec" command to push out the updates.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

I do have those on the same server. But I can hardly imagine that would make much difference.
Regards,

Bouke Brouwers
P4 2,8 2Gb RAM, Quadro FX 500
SW2005 SP2.0

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

2
I had two issues to resolve that prevented solidworks from auto-installing the service packs from the administraive image.

Fixing both issues caused solidworks to automatically update on the next run.


Problem 1:

I created my admin image using the solidworks administrative director on my LOCAL PC and copied that image to the server share.

This BREAKS the auto updating features.

I did this because the admin director would NOT allow me to install the initial image across a network share (even though you could specify a mapped drive or UNC path during the setup, it kept having problems writing to the network share -- not a permissions problem).

I did NOT want to create/install/run the solidworks setup on the server.

I needed to modify the following files to point to the new server share instead of the local PC share:
SolidWorks_2005_SP0_client_options.ini
StartSWInstall.htm

If this was NOT done or the image was moved after the initial install of solidworks on the client PC's, auto-updating BREAKS.

To FIX auto updating on client machines without uninstalling solidworks, make sure the two files above are updated, and modify the following registry entry on each client to point to the new UNC location of the admin image:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2005\Setup]
Clients INI location = \\newserver\newshare\solidworks_2005_sp0_client_options.ini

****************
Of course this can break your systems if somthing goes wrong and obviously wouldn't be recommended practice.  Remember to backup the registry before making changes to it.
****************


Problem 2:

Solidworks went to update, failed without any messages (you can see the windows installer window pop up briefly before solidworks starts), does not update and loads the currently installed client version.

The log file directory (through the process of copying files) became read-only to normal users.

I restored write permissions for normal users to this directory.  I use CREATOR OWNER (full control) and USERS (READ+Special/Advanced WRITE permissions NO modify permissions) but you can use EVERYONE (full control) if you want.

RE: admin images and auto updating service packs

rob3,

Good job.  A star for you.

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