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Repairing admin image

Repairing admin image

Repairing admin image

(OP)
Hello,

I'm preparing to create an admin image on our server for SW 2007. I had done this with 2006 and learned from the experience. What I haven't got clear is this:

In 2006, I couldn't repair the admin image, because (to my understanding) I hadn't installed SW on the server hence I couldn't go into Add/remove programs and do a Repair. Is that correct? What I want is to be able to repair the admin image when necessary which will then repair the client installs when SW is ran the next time.

Just now I installed SW 2007 on the server and then went to create an admin image from that, but I couldn't create it "from an existing image". If I create the image using the admin director, then I will have the condition described above. What am I missing or not understanding?

Thanks,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

create a new image and overwrite the old.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Chris,

If I understand you, you're saying that if I have need of repair, I go into the admin director, create new image, and overwrite the old image? If I do that, what about when I'm on sp5.0...then I've got to upgrade again. Is there not a way to repair an image similar to an individual install?

I ask because that's the situation I'm at now with 2006. There's a problem that's only fixable by redoing the admin image. But then I've got to reinstall all the clients also, so I'm lost more than I ever gained with using an admin image.

Thanks,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Have everyone exit SolidWorks (that has been installed using Admin Image). Create a new image, overwrite the old one. When the users start SW, they will see the updates. Same for SP's. Update SW on the server, make a new admin image, overwrite the old one.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
So is there a benefit to having SW installed on the server? I've got SW installed, and then I've got the admin image which appears to be basically the same files. Is there a need for this redundancy?

Thanks for your help. For some reason, this isn't clicking very quick.

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

If you have a lot of users, the easiest way to have them all updated, is to have the admin image.
SolidWorks is installed on the server and an image created from there. Go to each pc, then dbl-click the .msi file that was create during admin image creation.
Now, everytime there is a change or update (SP/options), recreate the image and overwrite the old one. The next time a user opens SW, it will automatically update. No need to go to each pc and do it manually.
Now, for a full version update (i.e. from 2006 to 2007), you need to do a clean new install on the server (separate from 2006), then create a new image from that. Go to each pc and again dbl-click the .msi file.
... and so on.
This saves a lot of time and headache doing installs/updates on each pc manually.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

IF the Admin iamge is on the server you just need to update it to the latest SP (not really overwritting it) its like a standalone seat of SW, but the server is just like you copied the CD's to it and everypone reads form there to istall with... the advantage is so you don't have to go to each seat with the CD's.

You can't repair and Admin image to my knowledge... and last time I checked it didn't automatically update the client's when they connected the next time. The IT had to tell them when it was updated and where it can be installed from, because its not always talking to the admin image. Thats like each client talking to the CD-ROM every time it starts... if it did that then it would take forever to start up.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: Repairing admin image

Scott,
You're correct.
But for auto update, this is how I have done it for the last several years. When a user opens SW, a message window pops up and shows there is an update. Sometimes it is very quick, depending how much has been changed. If there were a alrge SP update, I have seen this window show for a few minutes.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Chris,

Thank you very much! I'm assuming that means Yes, I do need the "redundancy". Do I need all of the extras (dwgeditor, etc.) installed on the server as well if I want to install them with the admin image? I've read some here about installing other items with the additional batch files, etc.

Thank you,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Install on the server everything you need.
There is only a little redundancy. Better than a lot.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

Oh...
Also, I forgot.
In a lot of cases, the users have to log off their pc's then login before reopening SW to see updates. In some cases, reboot.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Chris,

I think its all becoming clear now! (Finally). I do have one other question, which maybe should be a new thread, but most threads expand more than this, so here goes.

Would it be possible to do the initial install on my computer, complete the tweaks and setup, and then create an admin image on a network drive from my computer. Currently, I've created the admin image on a network drive, but I did it at the server. Since the admin image is on a mapped network drive for all systems it seems that either would work. But maybe there's something I don't understand...

Thank you,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

You could install on your computer and do all your tweaking. Once done, use the copy settings wizard and put that file on the server. When you set up the admin image, one of the steps will ask you for a reg file. Use the one that you saved.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
I didn't say all I wanted to say!...

I've read a thread (thread559-120784) that talked about the issues with moving an admin image, but that's not what I intend to do, at least in my understanding.

However, my understanding of IT related things is quite limited other than what I've learned maintaining CAD. I might mention that the shared drive that I have the admin image on is a drive array on the server. So it would be a shared (mapped) network drive to my computer and not sure exactly how it relates to the server in technical terms...

Maybe that makes a difference?

Thanks again,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

I install our admin image from my laptop to the folder on our server without any problems (usually...). Once the install is complete and you've set up any batch files, etc, an html tag will be created. Email that tag to all of your users. Once their machines have been cleaned of previous versions of SW, have them double-click on the html tag. They'll need to allow the ActiceX control to run. SolidWorks will install. From then on, you simply need to apply service packs to the admin image. When a user next opens SW it will update automatically. One aside - if a user opens SW from the quick-launch tool bar it might not update. If they open from start/menu or their desktop it will.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Thanks for all the input. I believe I will attempt that here. That being--install SW on my desktop, create image from my desktop onto the shared server drive.

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Yes, from your laptop can work. Then other users select the .msi file.
Any changes to SW, do it from your laptop, create a new image (.msi), save it to the server.
Good luck!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

Chris,
The end users shouldn't have to select the .msi file. If they do their initial install from the html tag anytime the image is update their install will update the next time they open SW.
Also, during the creation of the admin image, you'll be promted about settings. If you haven't already created a reg file, you can create one at this point.
When I said I created my admin image from my laptop it had nothing to do with initially installing SW on my laptop. I simply created the admin image.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Chris,

Well, I've completed the installs to our 6 systems from the admin image. Went okay...The first one, I installed from the image before I upgraded to sp1.1. Then I upgraded the admin image to 1.1, but the client did not automatically upgrade. I read thread559-120784 and the post from rob3 at the bottom told how to fix this, but it didn't work. I might add, that the computer I tried this on may not be a fair trial, I'm not sure.

I ended up just installing the rest of the clients after the sp1.1 upgrade, so I'll see what happens on the next sp. One other question...I modified the StartSWInstall.htm file and the SolidWorks_2007_SP0_client_options.ini for each client so I could change the Ser. No. Will this give me problems? maybe I should just use it unmodified on all clients?

Thanks,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Well, I'm attempting to upgrade my admin image to sp2.0 and its been a disaster. But I'll just stick to the current problem.

Chris, I did what you suggested i.e. I upgraded my local install of SW, created a new image from that, and copied it over the existing image. When I started SW on a client, it updated....to SWsp0.0! I'm more confused now than ever! When I created the image, it referred to SW2007sp0 while going through the admin image creation, except the very last it referred to SW2007sp2.0. However, the admin image is not sp2.0, it's sp0.0!

I have no idea now. I thought I could create a new admin image from my upgraded version of SW on my computer and that would update other clients when they start SW?

What am I doing wrong?

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

You want to apply the service pack update directly to the admin image. When you run the update, choose the 'update admin image' option. Once applied, the next time users open SW, it'll update. One thing to keep in mind, the user has to open SW from either Start/program or their desktop. For some reason it won't update from the taskbar button.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Repairing admin image

Jeff is correct, but I have not seen the problem with opening from the taskbar.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Thanks for the help. I misunderstood you Chris when you said make a new admin image. That's basically what I ended up doing, was upgrading the image itself, and I got half of the systems to update when I clicked on the start menu shortcut. I think the reasons the others didn't work can be resolved.

I might mention that I initially used the Installation Manager to upgrade the admin image, and that's when I ran into my first problems (I didn't mention this earlier). That didn't work well, and I probably will avoid that in the future. Manually installing seems to be safer.

Thanks again,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Chris & Jeff,

I'm reviewing the installation procedures I went through and wanted to clarify a couple things. Chris, you've said install SW on client machines(initial install) by clicking on the *.msi file but Jeff, you've said that you have to use the HTML file and click the button.
Which is best, or necessary or does it matter?
Will clicking the *.msi file tell it to automatically use the correct *.ini file?

Thank you,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

I use the html file. I simply email it to the users, they move it to their desktop and double-click on it. No need to navigate around. I've never used the *.mis file for install on client machines. It's my understanding that if you want SW to update automatically at the client after a SP upgrage, the initial install needs to be done via the html tag.
I don't know if you've seen this or not:
http://files.solidworks.com/supportfiles/SW_Installation_Guide/2006/English/install_guide.htm#Methods_to_Deploy

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Jeff,

What about installing SW for the first time when you're at say sp3.0; e.g. you get a new client machine that needs SW. I've not been successful installing using the HTML tag and I'm not sure why. It basically doesn't do anything when I click the button. It's like the button is only good for installing from the initial release (sp0) and since the admin image is currently at a later SP, it doesn't know what to do. Should the *.ini and the HTML file be updated on each upgrade? Or should I create new ones for each SP?

I greatly appreciate your help here,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Craig,
It shouldn't matter what SP SW is on. As I understand it, and you need to realize that I'm not the smartest tool in the shed, the steps are as follows:
*You create the admin image, which creates the html tag. Bear in mind that you must create the admin image using the Solidworks Administrative Director.
*You email the html tag to each client.
*Client places html tag on their desktop. Make sure that they aren't making a shortcut to the tag, it should be the actual tag.
*Client double clicks on html tag. IE may block the download depending on individual security settings. Make sure to tell the clients to run the ActiveX control.
*SolidWorks should install to whatever SP the admin image is on. If it doesn't, it should update the next time SW is opened, so long as it is opened from the Start/Program menu or the desktop. For whatever reason, it doesn't update when I use my taskbar button.

Let me know if this makes sense. I am only on my first cup of coffee...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Jeff,

Makes sense! Good coffee?

That's basically what I've done. I've had fairly successful results, there's just been some hitches along the way. Sometimes I can't get the tag to work, and I don't know why. This leads to another question; how do you deal with the different serial numbers and registrations since they are specified in the *.ini file? I tried making a tag and *.ini file for each computer, but that had questionable results-related to the discussion above.

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Prior to our changing our licensing to SNL, I simply created a singular admin image and ran with it. I never had a problem. I was only updating one seat (the admin image) with SP's. Basically, each client was simply a "mirror" of the admin image. Don't worry about the different serial numbers.

How many seats do you have, and have you looked into SNL?

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
We have 6 seats. We have briefly looked at SNL, but there didn't seem like an easy or cheap way to switch. At least that's how I remember it.

I'll not worry about S/N's then.

Thank you,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Hi, just got to work.
I have not used the HTML, always the msi file. I leave it in the SW folder on the server and all pc's are linked to it. The first install, I double-click on it, it installs. All future SP upgrades are automatic.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Chris,

Thanks for the reply. What exactly do you mean by "...all pc's are linked..."? The drive that our admin image is on is a mapped drive on the server.

Thanks,

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

RE: Repairing admin image

Craig,
We switched earlier this year and I don't recall it being overly expensive. It was easy to do though.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Repairing admin image

Sorry, by linked ... I meant mapped. It's still early.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: Repairing admin image

(OP)
Thanks all. It looks like both methods work. I guess I'll see what works the best for me. I appreciate all the input.

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

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