AutoCAD LT 2011 configuration

Question

Hi !
 
 I've been in contact with Autodesk trying to get answers, but never the answer for my questions are given, but I'm handed links and .pdf's none of which has the information I need.
 
 I'm trying to apply a set of registry keys to an installation of AutoCAD LT 2011, and to move the location of links in Start-Menu
 Today I'm deploying AutoCAD LT 2011 via SCCM, and that installation works fine.
 The command running is "AdminImage\Setup.exe /W /Q /I AdminImage\AutoCad LT 2011.ini /language en-us"
 
 Today I'm running making my added configuration (.reg and moving links in Start Menu) via vbscript after the AutoCAD installation has finnished.
 How can I include the registry entries directly into the installation.
 I'm looking into how to add a TRANSFORM file, or .reg file into the "AutoCad LT 2011.ini" but AutoDesk seems not to be able to anser me.
 
 The [SETUP] section in "AutoCad LT 2011.ini" seem to me to be the place to add this, but how ?
 Does anyone have proper information about creating the Admin Image for AutoCAD
 Or how to configure the .ini and all parameters possible to add in here.
  
 regards,
 Kristian

Answer

ORIGINAL:  kristian.lundegard
 Also, they ask user to be administrator. Now that you rarely really need  to bee, usually you can give the user only the access they really need, IF you are told what they need.
 
 How often does vendors know what is required to make a troublesome installation work in your environment? Always be prepared to figure it out yourself, for this exact issue, the Procmon.exe  will tell you what access is required.

So my conclusion is:
 I do not trust Autodesk, because clearly there are people out there knowing more of their products and the installations of them, then Autodesk seem to know themselves. "Hence I'm looking for knowledge outside Autodesk."
 
 Is this not the default expectation from any vendor? Never count on a vendor to deliver their software on a silverplatter, always expect the worst and rejoice when they actually deliver what you need.

If you have a successful AutoCAD deployment done using only acad.msi with added mst, I'd like to know more about it.
 I might be able to convince the customer we need to drop setup.exe and the .ini file.
 
 You have the MSI package, you have your configuration MST file, go go go!

Answer

Dillon71:
 You are assuming that I'm allowed to run the installation with msiexec command.
 I am running the an Administrative installation image, which has created an setup.exe
 that setup.exe do not take the TRANSFORMS= command.
 
 If you have a successful AutoCAD deployment done using only acad.msi with added mst, I'd like to know more about it.
 I might be able to convince the customer we need to drop setup.exe and the .ini file.

I am not assuming that you are allowed to run the install with an msiexec command, I am assuming you are using a deployment mechanism such as SCCM or similar?
 
 Ignore the setup.exe, you can't pass the transform to it.  There will also be MSI and MST files created.  Use these as you would deploy a normal MSI installation.
 
 Also, if you are using SCCM you need to deploy with the "install only when user is logged on" option checked.
 
 I have approx 17 different Autocad products on the site I am currently working at and I have used this method each time without any major problems.

Answer

If you can't get it to work with an mst, you could make a secondary msi that does the configurations after the original install is completed.

Answer

See if you find anything in the Installation Guide that helps

Answer

Thanks for Reply.
 
 I've already read this Installaiton guide.
 It only tells you how to apply and .mst if you are using GPO for deployment.
 I'm using the Setup.exe with an added .ini
 
 And the documentation does not tell you how to configure the .ini file

Answer

According to the guide you should be able to create an administrative image using the deployment wizard.

Answer

Indeed.
 
 That Administrative image is the one I'm deploying. The AdminImage folder and all content i use is created by the Deployment Wizard.
 But the Deployment Wizard does not let you do too much, which is why I'm chasing more in detailed information of the configuration possibilities of the installation.

Answer

Hi jmaclaurin !
 
 Do you know tow to apply an secondary MSI in "AutoCad LT 2011.ini"

Answer

Try the below command if you place your "MyTransform.mst" in the same location as the MSI (ex. AdminImage\x86\acad\)
 
 AdminImage\Setup.exe /W /Q /I AdminImage\AutoCad LT 2011.ini /language en-us /c ACAD: TRANSFORMS=MyTransform.mst

Answer

This commandline did not work for me.
 I tried to put the .mst in the directory from where I ran the command, in the same dir as the setup.exe, and in same as acad.msi.
 Also I tried them with adding the path in the parameter for the transform ex: TRANSFROMS=Adminimage/MyTransform.mst
 
 None of them worked.
 
 Is there any other way to add an MST, for example in the AutoCADconfig.ini ?

Answer

It says the following on page 77 in the installation manual:
 Select the Windows Installer Packages file called acad-<deployment
 name>-for-GPO.msi.
 
 Meaning you should be able to use this MSI + your MST for deployment using SCCM.

Answer

Yes, I've seen that one.
 But my understanding is that this is an MSI that is specifically made for just GPO.
 The instructions also tells you how to add this one to just a GPO. No other method of distribution is mentioned for that MSI.
 
 If you know by experience, or have been told by someone that thisone also is intended for mas distribution via other distribution tools, please let me know.
 I'm very eager to solve this

Answer

There is no such thing as an MSI "For GPO deployment ONLY".
 
 Implement the MSI into SCCM with the Transform file, and your home free.

Answer

When you went through the wizard to create the administrative image a transform should have been created as well.  It should be located in adminImage\x86\acadlt\acadlt_AutoCad LT 2011.mst  You can modify this transform.  It gets applied during installation.

Answer

Something I should add to this because we are working with this version and others. The installing user is the ONLY user that can use Autocad post installation and this is by design for all of the Autodesk products. If you are using SCCM to install the software, it will likely not work for the end user because it will be installed to the account you used with SCCM such as System. I can't confirm this for all of products because I haven't tested them all, but I can confirm for Architect and LT 2011.
  
 My reference to creating a secondary MSI to modify the first was to use whatever packing tool you have to make an MSI to make any modifications. You would then need to script the 2 installs using a bat/cmd/vbs/etc script to perform the installations.

Answer

Have you managed to get in contact with someone that actually knows anything about customized AutoCAD installations?
 I've contacted AudoDesk, as I wrote earlier in this thread. But the only thing they can provide mi with is documentation, none of them that actually goes any deeper into Customizing AutoCAD installations.
 I need to dig into how to use and configure the .ini file for installation.
 And how to apply an MST.
 joedown says the acadlt_AutoCad LT 2011.mst is being applied by default by the AdminImage installation, I have yet to confirm this myself.
 On my own computer the Setup hangs around 95% and never finish. (been running now for 15h)
 
 Regarding SCCM deployment, they can be set up to run with user context instead of 'SYSTEM', but this is only available if you run the distribution as pure package distribution, and not via Task Sequences.

Answer

Not sure what the issue is here. All your customisations are carried out in the MST. The MST is created initially using the Deployment Wizard and you use that to customise/modify the app as necessary. Then you call the MST using the normal command line, ie, [font="Courier New"]msiexec /i "<MSI File>" TRANSFORMS="<MST File>" /qb

Dump the setup.exe and ini files, you don't need them. Or at least I never have. For multiple users, use self-healing to kick off current user stuff (in your MST)

This is how I've always deployed Autodesk apps and had no problem.

Answer

ORIGINAL: kristian.lundegard
 
 Have you managed to get in contact with someone that actually knows anything about customized AutoCAD installations?
  
 Read through their forums. The product has apparently been like this since 2003. They offer no clear support or understanding as to how to "fix" their installations. It appears they only offer a semi-automated installatuion using an Administrtive Distribution point with a shortcut. The instructions are to have the end user launch the shortcut and thats about where it ends for an automated install.

Regarding SCCM deployment, they can be set up to run with user context instead of 'SYSTEM', but this is only available if you run the distribution as pure package distribution, and not via Task Sequences.

Providing the user is also Administrator on their machine.

Answer

jmaclaurin
 Yes, you are right. Autodesk offers no good support for their installations. that does not mean it can not be done,
 
 Also, they ask user to be administrator. Now that you rarely really need  to bee, usually you can give the user only the access they really need, IF you are told what they need.
 
 So my conclusion is:
 I do not trust Autodesk, because clearly there are people out there knowing more of their products and the installations of them, then Autodesk seem to know themselves.
 Hence I'm looking for knowledge outside Autodesk.
 I've learned more on forums and AutoCAD contractors than on Autodesk forum or from their technicians.
 
 My questions remains so far unanswered.

Dillon71:
 You are assuming that I'm allowed to run the installation with msiexec command.
 I am running the an Administrative installation image, which has created an setup.exe
 that setup.exe do not take the TRANSFORMS= command.
 
 If you have a successful AutoCAD deployment done using only acad.msi with added mst, I'd like to know more about it.
 I might be able to convince the customer we need to drop setup.exe and the .ini file.

Answer

Matias;Dillon
 
 Brilliant, I'll use this forum thread supporting the idea of running a proper distribution instead of the Administrative Installation you can create via AutoDesks tools.

Answer

ORIGINAL:  kristian.lundegard
 
 Matias;Dillon
 
 Brilliant, I'll use this forum thread supporting the idea of running a proper distribution instead of the Administrative Installation you can create via AutoDesks tools.

You might wish to rate the posts from Matias and Dillon, given their assistance concerning your query - click on 'Rate Post' on the bottom line of their replies if that is the case.
 
 Regards,
 
 Spartacus

Answer

*done

Answer

One thing you might want to try if you can't get the uninstall to work is to take the main MSI and make a copy. Go into the registry of a machine that has AutoCAD installed and get the guid from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. Then use ORCA to change the GUID in the copied MSI for use when an uninstall is needed. You will need to call the MSI rather than use the uninstall string in the registry. (eg: msiexec.exe /x \server\share\modifiedcopy.msi)
  
 For some stoopid reason, Autodesk thought it would be a good idea to use an MST/MSI to change the installing MSI's guid some time during install which would subsequently break the ability to uninstall. You can see this if you open the main MSI GUID and compare it to the final installed product. I am not sure if they do this for all their products, but I have seen it on some.

Answer

thanx for heads up jmaclaurin, but I have not seen this behavior in any of the Autodesk apps I'm deploying.
 And all uninstallations are working fine.

Answer

ORIGINAL: dillon71

Not sure what the issue is here. All your customisations are carried out in the MST. The MST is created initially using the Deployment Wizard and you use that to customise/modify the app as necessary. Then you call the MST using the normal command line, ie, [font="courier new"]msiexec /i "<MSI File>" TRANSFORMS="<MST File>" /qb

Dump the setup.exe and ini files, you don't need them. Or at least I never have. For multiple users, use self-healing to kick off current user stuff (in your MST)

This is how I've always deployed Autodesk apps and had no problem.

I am trying what you have suggested and can't launch the app because its missing the language MSI/MST. I haven't been able to get the language MSI/MST to install. What did you have to do to get it to work?

Answer

ORIGINAL: jmaclaurin

ORIGINAL: dillon71

Not sure what the issue is here. All your customisations are carried out in the MST. The MST is created initially using the Deployment Wizard and you use that to customise/modify the app as necessary. Then you call the MST using the normal command line, ie, [font="courier new"]msiexec /i "<MSI File>" TRANSFORMS="<MST File>" /qb

Dump the setup.exe and ini files, you don't need them. Or at least I never have. For multiple users, use self-healing to kick off current user stuff (in your MST)

This is how I've always deployed Autodesk apps and had no problem.

I am trying what you have suggested and can't launch the app because its missing the language MSI/MST. I haven't been able to get the language MSI/MST to install. What did you have to do to get it to work?

Hi,

I think it was a problem with the Autodesk deployment image not creating the correct MST for the language pack.

Have a look here, I am pretty sure this is the problem I had:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Installation-Licensing/Deploying-AutoCAD-2011-via-Group-Policies-error-adui18res-dll/td-p/2685777

Answer

Thanks for the tip on the MST for all the MSI's, I pretty much have it working. The only problem is I am missing one of the prereqs on WIn7 and can't figure out which one.
 I have this so far:
 c++ 2008
 Library
 Autocad LT
 Language pack.
 Anyone know what I am missing? Can't seem to figure out from the log files and just searching through the directories.

Answer

Not sure about AutocadLT but in regular Autocad the DX9 (yes on Windows 7 x64) and netframework were also in the list. Look into your setup.ini. prerequisites should be listed there. Otherwise you will need to take a gap capture.

Answer

None of the installers provided Autocad LT for .Net will work on Win7 so I am pretty sure that its not that because the install work fine when running the setup.exe or the admin shortcut. I have a feeling that it might be DX9, but I can't find the installer for it. Any suggestions as to where its located? I tried the locations I found from google and the MS one won't install because its already higher.

Answer

If it is DX9 then it should be included in your media, as I said before, I worked on regular Autocad, and if I remember correctly there was a "Third party" or "Support"folder in the media with all flavours of DX9.
 
 Edit* This link may help you in repackaging it Acad 2012 DirectX

Answer

Should be in \x86\Support on the first disc of your media set.

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