Software Deployment - OL2003

[stunpals]

I have a 2003 Server Std Edition, I have also create a compressed Install Image on a shared folder on the network and finished all the prep for a non interactive install using the Office Resource Kit. I have tested the install by running a cmd line and its seems to be fine.

My question is now how do i deploy this so that each computer only runs it once. I am hoping to control this from the 2003 Server so that its not dependant on the staff to manually run a link to start the install.

 

[markdmac]

Refer to my FAQ faq96-4996 for step by step instructions.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[stunpals]

For testing i created a new OU and I added a new GPO as described above.. I didn't use the admin point procedure, I set it up as describe my MS Resource kit using Compressed image..
I went into the Computer Conf->Software Settings->Software Installation, created a new package and browsed to the OUTLS11.MSI file and my custom.MST that I made (which does work manually).

I placed the test desktop computer object in the new testing OU and ran the cmd gpupdate /force /boot from the listed article FAQ96-4996. When the computer comes to the logon screen (before user interaction during the Please wait.. screen) it displays the following (

Preparing Network Connections...
Applying Computer Settings...
Applying Software Installation...
Installing Managed Software MS Office Outlook 2003...
Applying User Settings...

Then the Logon Prompt is displayed... I wait or logon and nothing happens...

The test computer must be seeing the installation, cuz it is displayed as stated above... Where do I look for logs on this.??

 

[mlichstein]

The application log is a good place to start.

 

[stunpals]

Here is the application log

The install of application Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 from policy OL2003 Install failed. The error was : The installation source for this product is not available. Verify that the source exists and that you can access it.


The share to the install files is working and available even to a basic user account... Is there a special account used for software deployment I need to add to the share..??

 

[markdmac]

Make sure that you have used the UNC path in your GPO.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[stunpals]

I double checked that and this is what I have.. \\server\OL2003$\OUTLS11.msi... would it matter the share is a hidden share...??
Like I said before I know this works because the batch file I created will install this just fine... Just can't seem to get the GPO to push it out..

 

[markdmac]

it should not matter that the share is hidden, but verify the permissions. Your user will need to have read access to it.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[stunpals]

I even added Domain computers as shown below.

Permissions Type - Group - Setting
Share
- Everyone - Full

Security
- Domain Users - Read/Write/List
- Domain Computers - Read/Write/List

I can logon as a reg user and browse the share or manually install the package with a batch file using the very same .mst file.
Since the GPO has the package listed in the Computer section, is the install suppose to happen before logon..?? if so user permission should have nothing to do with it.??

I tried it on a win2k computer with the same result, checked the log remotely after waiting 5min and without logging on to the computer and the same msg..

"The error was The installation source for this product is not available. Verify that the source exists and that you can access it."

There must be a computer or system account permission needed..??

 

[markdmac]

I would at this point have to refer you back to my FAQ and ask you to verify that each step there has been done. This really looks to me to be permissions based.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[stunpals]

Ok I think the problem is fixed now.. You were correct about the permissions... I am currently in the middle of migration and the install files are on a member server of the old domain. I tested by moving the install files to the DC of the new domain and it worked..

My question now is what is the install type to use for this as I have read of 2 options..
1. Administration Point
2. Compressed CD
The MS article i originally read had talked about the Compress CD having the ability to put a cached install copy on the client, but the Admin Point seems to be better for updating with patches/SP..?? not sure the Compress CD can be updated at all...

any suggestions..??

 

[stunpals]

Is it possible to turn off the MS Customer Feed Back options that pops up in the system try after a new install..?? I have created a mst setup can can't seem to find this option..

 

[stunpals]

Turns out the problem was the resource share was on a member server of a trusted domain. After moving the server to the same domain as the DC it ran fine.