Windows Setup Companion utility

[gosherm]

I've decided to write a nice unattended setup app. It will be designed to compliment the functionality in nLite, and will serve as a replacement for WPI/WIHU and bare scripts.

I have spent a few hours this evening sketching out what I think that it should do, so now I am presenting it to the forum for feedback and any additional suggestions.

So, here's your chance. Rip the small requirements list apart, tell me what you would like to see (and if you think that something on the list is stupid or unnecessary).

Unattended Setup Companion (USC)

1. Configuration Utility
   1. 
      
   2. Automatically determines installer type and provides usable switches
      
   3. Allows custom switches to be entered
      
   4. Application database (similar to the one soon appearing at unattended.msfn.org)
      
   5. Imports
      
      1. WPI
         
      2. WIHU
         
      3. RunOnceEx
         
      4. [GuiRunOnce]
         
      5. winnt.sif
         
      6. cmdlines.txt
         
         
      7. Exports
         1. WPI
            
         2. WIHU
            
         3. RunOnceEx
            
         4. [GuiRunOnce]
            
         5. winnt.sif
            
         6. cmdlines.txt
            

[*]Can set individual components to run at T-39, T-13, T-12, T-9, First Login

[*]Data files

1. XML based
   
2. human editable
   

[*]Install Process

1. Appearance
   
   1. 
      
   2. Runs at T-39, T-13, T-12, T-9, or First Login (or a combination)
      
   3. Logging
      1. Logs to specified file(s) (Can have different files for each stage)
         
      2. Logs include screenshots/commandline output where applicable
         

[*]Gracefully deals with hung installs (i.e. Install requiring input because something is broken. Configurable.)

[*]Scripting

1. Supports custom VB scripts
   
2. Supports AutoIt scripts (AutoIt must be present)
   
3. 3rd Party Script Providers (Perl, Python, etc.)
   

[*]Log Viewer

1. Automatically appears after First Login if any errors (can be disabled)
   

[*]Supported Platforms

1. Windows XP
   
2. Windows XP sp1
   
3. Windows XP sp2
   
4. Windows XP 64bit
   
5. Windows 2003
   
6. Windows 2003 sp1
   
7. Windows 2003 R2
   
8. Windows Vista
   

Look and feel of Windows setup when run at First Login
Invisible when run at T-39, T-13, T-12, T-9 (Perhaps takes over entire screen to provide progress updates.)
Skinable (based on Windows themes)
Hides all windows (can be disabled)
Edited November 15, 2005 by gosherm

[gosherm]

Well, I've finally finished the 1.0 InstallScript and am releasing it in a beta format. It can be downloaded from the Unattended Setup Companion website or directly from here.

This is just the beta of the install script. The config utility should be following shortly, but you can still build your own data files by hand in the simple XML format. The zip file contains a sample and a brief explination as to how to write your own data file.

Currently, the beta is only known to work at first login, whether launched through runonceex, or by the [GuiRunOnce] section of winnt.sif.

If you find any bugs, please report them either on this forum, or to the USC email at "usc [ at ] gosherm [ dot ] org".

[dirtwarrior]

How about windows 2000

[gosherm]

Dunno... haven't tested it. I'm just using standard stuff though, so I imagine that it'll work. Give it a try

I QA by day, but I script/program by night... never the twain shall meet. Well, ok, maybe someday, but not for this beta

[KRYOGENIUS]

Hello

great idea, i suppose we can transpose it in a graphical tool ?

++

[The Black Cloud]

please can you explain how it is working.

[naturekid]

How about adding xplode?

www.voidfx.com/xplode