Windows in the Enterprise: Package Reboots: Whose job is it?

[Windows in the Enterprise: Best of myITforum]

Title: Windows in the Enterprise: Best of myITforum

December 16, 2004 Published by  TechTarget Windows in the Enterprise: Best of myITforum Issue Sponsored By:   > Wise Solutions   > SearchWin2000.com Webcasts   Customize MSIs with InstallTailor Do you find you're receiving more applications already in MSI format, but they still need customization for your organization? How can you quickly and easily create transforms (.MST) to prepare packages for distribution? With InstallTailor, now offered at no charge to you from Wise Solutions. Download InstallTailor today!   Package Reboots: Whose job is it? [ by Brian Tucker, Contributor, myITforum.com ] Is SMS or the package responsible for the reboot after an installation? SMS needs to know the answer so the proper exit code is logged. To get successful exit codes, you need to understand how the package works. Does the program reboot itself or does SMS need to pick up the slack? In the properties of your program, you will notice the "after running" option. Picking the wrong one can cause problems with installation of the package and errors in the reports and logs. So how do you know when and where to use the options? Here are four ways you can configure the program. 1. No action required -- Use this option when the package does not reboot the computer. Simply stated, when the program exits there should be no more activity. Since most applications will use this option, it is the default. 2. SMS restarts computer -- This option is great for applications where you do not have the proper switch for the .exe in the command line and you need a reboot. 3. Program restarts computer -- SMS needs to know if the package will reboot the computer. If this option is not set and the program reboots the computer, SMS will think the system is restarting unexpectedly. When the computer reboots, the package will try to reinstall itself again and will log a failure. 4. SMS logs user off -- Use this option if the package installs something that must be started when the user logs on. Perhaps the program installs an item in the startup folder. The user would have to log on to make the application start. This article first appeared in myITforum, the premier online destination for IT professionals responsible for managing their corporations' Microsoft Windows systems. The centerpiece of myITforum.com is a collection of member forums where IT professionals actively exchange technical tips, share their expertise, and download utilities that help them better manage their Windows environments, specifically Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). It is part of the TechTarget network of Web sites. To register for the site and sign up for the myITforum daily newsletter, click here ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brian Tucker has been in the IT industry for nine years and specializes in Microsoft Back Office applications. Brian is currently involved in an SMS 2003 deployment for a large health care organization in St. Louis. He can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] MORE INFO:  >  Rerunning Advertisements and Application Caching  >  How to Re-Advertise a Package  >  Installing the Advanced Client and Patching  >  Streamlining Office Patch Deployment with the DSUW   SearchWin2000.com Webcasts Sign up to receive the Webcast Alerts newsletter from SearchWin2000.com to hear about our latest webcasts with top experts. Webcast topics include Securing Computers Using GPOs, How to Stop Directory Harvest Attacks, Anti-Spam Best Practices, Exchange 2003 Migration Best Practices and more. Subscribe now and you'll be notified of upcoming events!   Contact Us Sales For sales inquiries, please contact us at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Editorial For feedback about any of our articles or to send us your article ideas, please contact us at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Free E-Newsletters! Select e-newsletters you would like to receive via e-mail! SearchWin2000: Active Directory Tip SearchWin2000: Administrator Tips Not a Member? We'll activate your membership with your subscription. ABOUT THIS E-NEWSLETTER This e-newsletter is published by TechTarget, the most targeted IT media and events company. Copyright 2004 TechTarget. All rights reserved. To unsubscribe from "Windows in the Enterprise: Best of myITforum": Go to unsubscribe: http://searchTechTarget.techtarget.com/u?cid=499612&lid=430805&track=NL-36 Please note, unsubscribe requests may take up to 24 hours to process; you may receive additional mailings during that time. A confirmation e-mail will be sent when your request has been successfully processed. Contact Us: TechTarget Member Services 117 Kendrick Street, Suite 800 Needham, MA 02494