Batch files for Automatic (silent) installs 3

[cwsink]

Hello,

I need help on creating a batch file which will automatically(from command line) install and/or update SW and then also PDMWorks, eDrawings, SWExplorer etc. I've seen examples, but not being an expert in this, I still need some guidance. Does anyone have an example and knowledge that they could share and explain?

I have referenced the SW install guides, and I can duplicate what they have, but theres nothing for installing the extras at the same time. Also, it would be helpful to actually understand the commands and switches that are used.

We have 6 seats of SW and growing. We will be installing from an administrative image on our server. Currently we use SW 2006 SP 4.0 on Windows XP&2000


Thank you,

Craig
Force Design, Inc.

Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

 

[ctopher]

Have you looked into creating an Admin Image?
Search and here and in Help.
ref thread559-120784

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[engAlright]

One thing to be cautious of when creating your command line install is that spelling and punctuation are critical. As in if the Solidworks documentation says enter "A,A", do not enter "A, A" or it won't work.

Here's a sample command line to install SW and Featureworks with default options and a basic user interface (progress bar and prompt at the end of the install):

msiexec /i English_i386_SolidWorks.msi ADDLOCAL=Solidworks,English,Manuals,Featureworks /qb

 

[StefanHamminga]

A good starting point for general unattended installation of software is:

http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/

Especially the forums contain a wealth of informantion (the MS Install posts are relevant to SW)

Stefan Hamminga
EngIT Solutions
CSWP/Mechanical designer/AI student

 

[cwsink]

Hello,

Thanks all for the responses. Ctopher, I have followed that thread and looked in help etc. I've been able to create an admin image, but that only involves SW and not the additional items such as edrawings and DWGEditor.

StefanHamminga, I looked through your reference and all that looks very interesting. I am trying to keep it simple and use the methods SW provides along with the additional batch files that are needed. I know others have done it, but not being an expert on this, I haven't been able to decipher the bits and pieces they've posted enough to apply it to my situation.

To restate simply, I think I've got the part that installs SW from an admin image; Now I would like to be able to call a batch file at the end of that which would install eDrawings, SW Explorer, & DWGEditor.

Thank you,


Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

 

[engAlright]

eDrawings and DWGEditor have their own install packages so you will have to create seperate batch files for them, or add an additional line to your SW install batch file.

Sample command line for e-Drawings install:

msiexec /i eDrawings.msi LOGPERFORMANCE=0 ADDLOCAL=eDrawingsViewer,DXFDWGTranslator /qb-

 

[cwsink]

EngAlright,

You posted 2 lines that could be added to the batch file:

msiexec /i eDrawings.msi LOGPERFORMANCE=0 ADDLOCAL=eDrawingsViewer,DXFDWGTranslator /qb-

Where is the eDrawings.msi located? Do I not have to specify a path for these two lines? If I do, I'm not sure where that is.

Thank you for your help,



Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

cwsink ... look at the properties of a shortcut for those programs. It should give the path to the install files.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[cwsink]

CorBlimeyLimey,

I'm not sure I follow you. I'm wanting to install from an admin image to a users computer. I know where the English_i386_SolidWorks.msi file is, but not the eDrawings.msi. I have to direct the computer to the right path...right?

Thanks,


Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

cwsink ... please ignore my previous brain-fart-inspired post

Maybe the following will help;

http://files.solidworks.com/Support...tion_Guide/2006/English/install_eDrawings.htm

This was found at;

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/servicepacks.html

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[cwsink]

Thanks CorBlimeyLimey. I think the problem was, I didn't copy the CD's when I created the admin image so I didn't have the eDrawings.msi file on the server with the rest of the image. I saved a little drive space, but now I don't have the files I need.

To fix that, I just copied the edrawings folder from CD #3 and I'll install from there. This brings up another thought; do others recommend installing SW on the server along with the admin image? Or maybe just copying the CD's to the server is sufficient? (I won't actually use the SW installation; its just for testing, etc)

Thanks for all the input,


Craig Sink
Mechanical Engineer
Force Design, Inc.

 

[ctopher]

I always install SW on the server, then create the admin image on the same server but a different folder. All updates and SP's are done on the server and a admin image re-created each time.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[PDMAdmin]

cwsink,

For future reference, you can also extract the files from the eDrawings EXE file using WinZip, 7-Zip or whatever works best for you. The MSI file you're looking for is among the files that will be extracted. That's how I create the admin image for eDrawings.