RogueSpear

Not exactly what you want, but you could always make a switchless silent installer that requires a password rather easily.

Well believe it or not these are all installs that I need to support, both the .msi installs and the silent ones, depending on the situation. So I figured it wouldn't be too much trouble to put them out there for others to use. And however many installers I've posted in this thread, I have probably the same amount made up for commercial software (Office, Nero, etc.). I just don't feel like remaking those without the reg info where someone could import their own later. That would be too much for me right now, plus it could only lead to trouble.

After the whole SoundMAX / RealTek disaster, I wouldn't doubt if the presence of some driver or another is in fact conflicting somehow. Before anyone feels the need to explain ad nauseum how that situation is different from this one, as if I didn't know, yes I'm sure it is different in the details, but it's pretty similar in the outcome.

All of your questions can be answered by utilizing the following resources: deploy.chm help file which is contained in deploy.cab on any Windows XP CD, my guide to RIS (there's a link in my signature), and doing some relatively simple searches here at MSFN. If you were able to get RIS itself up and running then you should be able to find the answers you need very easily.

@muiz, maybe Mhz just found the problem you're having with my switchless silent installers as well. You may want to uninstall the antispyware and temp disable the antivirus and give these a shot.

Actually, I'm going to be posting FireFox here very shortly, courtesy of Natan. 7-Zip I could see doing, but the other two unfortunately I probably won't. I don't use them or install them anywhere and I still have things to repack that I do use and support. Plus keeping up with the new versions of what is here already is more time consuming than you'd imagine. @muiz, I'm honestly not sure what to do for you. The last version I had posted got downloaded something like 40 times and the one before that even more. And this is the first report of a problem I've ever had. Is there at least an entry in the application event log that the install began?

Update - 20051206 Added EULAlyzer V1.1 Added Microsoft Visual J# Redistributables V2.0 Updated QuickTime Alternative to V1.67 Updated Real Alternative to V1.46 Added SharpReader V0.9.6.0 Updated VirtualDub to V1.6.11 Build 23858

@muiz, I've never had an issue with either of those installers. Ever. Are you receiving an error message? Is the install directory present (%programfiles%\Multimedia\Real Alternative or %programfiles%\Multimedia\QuickTime Alternative) ? And did you notice that those installers both point to Media Player Classic at %programfiles%\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe ?

If you're maintaining "hundreds" of computers, then you should look into purchasing a volume license from Microsoft. It makes life much easier.

Neither of these suggestions is likely the "correct" answer, but they should both achieve what you want. First, you could use nLite to remove any language components that you like. In fact I do this all the time, removing all but US English. Second, there is a registry tweak for disabling the language bar completely. I don't remember it off the top of my head, but if you look in the sticky thread for registry tweaks, you'll find it in there. As I've never had this problem crop up on me before, I'm wondering if you are installing a Windows MUI package.

I thought VMware emulated an AMD PCnet NIC.

The MSN Messenger installer was made with InstallShield AdminStudio by performing a two step snapshot, which is how I always repack applications. So if you know how to repack an app into an .msi file, either with AdminStudio or some other tool, then you can do this. Just do snapshot 1, then install your app and make any changes to it such as using the MSN patcher or installing Messenger Plus, then do snapshot 2. Obviously there is some cleanup and little things to change with the resulting files and registry entries, but it's really quite simple. With the exception of having to make a little VBscript, the MSN Messenger installer was really one of the easier ones I've done lately.

I voted for HP which these days means Compaq also. Anytime I have had to call it seems that their main goal is to find some reason that my problem isn't convered under the warranty. And after an hour of that then they usually say they'll pass it on up the line (in other words in the trash). I'm surprised Dell is the leader in this poll. I must admit however that I've never had to call Dell's tech support, but that's because anything I've ever gotten from Dell has worked the way it was supposed to work.

If someone really needs the experience to put on their resume they should consider doing some volunteer work. Almost all volunteer or charitable organizations use volunteers for at least some of their IT work. And in the US you can claim that work as a non-cash contribution on your taxes. So look at it this way, if you royally screw up someplace, you don't have to put that down anywhere (though sometimes word travels). If you do a great job, now you have some experience to put down on paper. Either way, you can save a little bit on your taxes that year. Around where I live all of the fire departments that are not in a city are volunteer. Some of them have members who do all of the IT work, but most don't have anyone available. It's a great way to set up a small network (12 computers, 1 server) and have your name spread to the volunteers of that fire department. I imagine that the same would hold true for your church or house of worship if you're a religious person.

I'm more than likely going to be exchanging that card on Monday morning. Unfortunately I can't do anything with it over the weekend unless I go into the office (not gonna happen).

Take a look at the thread linked in my signature for switchless silent installers. I posted one for the latest V7.5 of MSN Messenger. It's patched and has Messenger Plus! integrated as well.

Q1 - See above. Q2 - Of course. Q3 - Yes.

Ok so you just knew I couldn't stay away from this one right? Well I downloaded the latest driver from RealTek today. I swear their web server is running on a 300 baud modem. Anyway, no BSOD during the GUI setup, but BSOD later on after all the setup is completed. I'm afraid that the nVidia 6600 must be conflicting in some fashion. I have an identical system (same mobo, CPU, RAM) that differs only in the video adapter. The other computer has an ATI X300 in it and it's always been rock solid. Unfortunately for me I think at this point I'll have a hard time exchanging the video adapter.

Update - 20051202 Added Audacity V1.3.0 Beta Updated Java2 SE V5.0 Update 5 to Update 6 Added Microsoft ActiveSync V4.1 Added Microsoft AntiSpyware V1.0.701 Beta

Looks like nVidia has been training their driver engineers at the same school as RealTek.

Nope it's the RealTek. Using the latest BASE and DPs as of today I get a BSOD during PnP enumeration portion of setup. When I disable the onboard sound (RealTek HD) the setup works perfect. Perhaps it is a conflict between the RealTek HD and the GeForce 6600, kind of like how the RealTek used to screw up everything in certain situations with a SoundMax. Well for now I will just disable the RealTek. I'm just going to use a spare SoundBlaster.. screw this RealTek crap.

This is certainly bizzare to say the least as I have never had this error before, BUT I have noticed when copying files sometimes (moving the 1st half of the slipstream to my unattended working directory for the 2nd half of the slipstream) that Explorer will pop up a confirmation dialog box asking me if I want to copy a certain file, and that it was a system file. I don't remember which one as I always just clicked on Yes.

You can use them if you like, just keep in mind that they do not all install in the default direcrtories or with the default Start Menu shortcuts. As you may have noticed, there are explanations for each installer as to where these things are placed.

I've been installing Office 2003 from svcpack.inf for close to a year now with a silent switchless installer. The only real trick needed was to delete that error reporting registry key from the .msi file.

Thank you all for the kind words. JP is in heaven now, much more comfortable and happy than he was for the last few days. My wife and I both appreciate everything you all said. It's been a tough time, but I know it will get better.