Deployment PDFCreator using MSI-Package

[AlexB]

Hello,

we have to deploy PDF Converter 2.50f for about 1100 workstations under Win XP SP1.

To do so we`re using Active Directoy, GPOs and MSI-Packages. The MSI is installed prior to any user log-in and runs with elevated privileges.

So what we tried, is to encapsulate the setup.exe in a MSI-package and call the setup.exe with apropriate parameters: /s /d "C:\Program Files\ Amyuni..." /N "..." /C "...".

Almost everything works fine until the point of installing the printer itself.
The drivers are copied to the windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86-folder but the printer itself doesnt`t show up. Further all the registry-keys for the printer don`t exist.

The install-log created by the setup.exe contains no errors; copying files, starts installing printer, finishes installing printer.

If I run the MSI or setup.exe logged-in everything works fine.

So my questions are:

{1} Do I have to install the PDF Converter when a user is logged-in ?
{2} Can you provide the registry keys created/modified by your setup, so i can modify them on a different way?

Hope somebody understands my poor english...

Thank you in advance
Greetings
Alex

[Joan]

Hello,

I guess I understood your English, it is not poor English .

You need to log in as Administrator to install a printer and not as a user, this is because under Windows 2000, XP, ect... only administrators can install a printer.

I didn't try myself MSI-Package but i will try to give you some advices that.

When running Setup.exe, it is required to check 'Install a printer' and provide the printer name. You need to check that this is done.

I suggest that you try installing the printer using Install.exe. You need to run Install.exe from a folder containins all the files of the PDF Converter and you can give it the following parameters

Install.exe "PDF Printer Name" -n "Licensee Name" -c "Activation Code"

You can use the -s parameter to install the printer in silent mode.

Please note that the printer creates a key in the registry at:
HKey-Current-Config -> Software -> PDF Printer Name

Hope this helps

[AlexB]

Hello Joan,

thanks for your advices.

I tried all your advices but unfortunatelly the result remains the same.

The MSI runs exactly "Install.exe "PDF Printer Name" -n "Licensee Name" -c "Activation Code" as you mentioned before with administrative rights, but printer and drivers are not installed.

We found a way to install it using a computerscript, copying files by msi-file to target computer, then running setup.exe /s ... installing printer/converter. This method is also executed while System boots prior a user/admin logs on and only about 20 secs later

Curiously these steps work...

I think I`ll check the do`and don`t`s with Windows Installer again.

Thanks once again

Alex