Can I use SendKeys / AutoKey to click YES to 3rd party 7zip self-extracing installer?
Here's the deal: I have a 3rd-party company who wants to get $$ for re-designing their software installation, so that we can 'bypass' their unneeded prompt that asks, "Do you want to install the entire package - Yes / No"
I have no real control over the source, though I can (and did) extract the files. There is a setup.exe, and it does some of the setup functions but the vendor wants their "Professional Services" team to be paid $$ before they assist us in re-creating the package as a standard MSI or Setup.exe scenario.
Basically, I found this link:
http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/
Talks about using ResourceHacker to edit the 7Zip package, then 'save' and boom, good to go - sort of.
I tried that, but it did not seem to work - I [failed] to do the step of doing a "copy /b" of the files - maybe that's why it failed - not sure.
Anyway, the installer.exe first prompts (with a "vb msgbox-like prompt) with "Do you want to install all Web .Net client components" and it has the 2 buttons "Yes" and "No." Choose no and nothing gets installed; choose Yes, and that's the only prompt you have to answer.
So... can anyone tell me IF (and HOW) SendKeys and/or AutoKeys or something might be able to "sense" that Yes/No prompt, and answer yes, so that I could push this 7zip self-extracing EXE out via SCCM?
Again, i have no real control over the whole 'setup' process; and they apparently used 7zip to package the whole setup as as self-extracting, self-installing package.
Seems simple enough that someome must have done it; yet complex enough that it's not just a 'no-brainer' for someone like me. LOL.
PLEASE don't steer me to a "packaging solution," since all I need is some "KeyPess/Macro" method to "Click Yes" to make the install happen. (and I can't repackage it anyway - thought I offered to the vendor - they declined to let me do it)
There are NO options / parameters that can be used agains the 7Zip exe, so that's not possible and, believe me, I tried 'Piping' and 'redirection,' but the "msgbox" still pops up and waits for someone to press "Yes."
Thanks in advance!
I have no real control over the source, though I can (and did) extract the files. There is a setup.exe, and it does some of the setup functions but the vendor wants their "Professional Services" team to be paid $$ before they assist us in re-creating the package as a standard MSI or Setup.exe scenario.
Basically, I found this link:
http://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/
Talks about using ResourceHacker to edit the 7Zip package, then 'save' and boom, good to go - sort of.
I tried that, but it did not seem to work - I [failed] to do the step of doing a "copy /b" of the files - maybe that's why it failed - not sure.
Anyway, the installer.exe first prompts (with a "vb msgbox-like prompt) with "Do you want to install all Web .Net client components" and it has the 2 buttons "Yes" and "No." Choose no and nothing gets installed; choose Yes, and that's the only prompt you have to answer.
So... can anyone tell me IF (and HOW) SendKeys and/or AutoKeys or something might be able to "sense" that Yes/No prompt, and answer yes, so that I could push this 7zip self-extracing EXE out via SCCM?
Again, i have no real control over the whole 'setup' process; and they apparently used 7zip to package the whole setup as as self-extracting, self-installing package.
Seems simple enough that someome must have done it; yet complex enough that it's not just a 'no-brainer' for someone like me. LOL.
PLEASE don't steer me to a "packaging solution," since all I need is some "KeyPess/Macro" method to "Click Yes" to make the install happen. (and I can't repackage it anyway - thought I offered to the vendor - they declined to let me do it)
There are NO options / parameters that can be used agains the 7Zip exe, so that's not possible and, believe me, I tried 'Piping' and 'redirection,' but the "msgbox" still pops up and waits for someone to press "Yes."
Thanks in advance!
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Posted by:
Lucid
13 years ago
Sounds like you might want to ask this in the Package Development forum.And what do they use to create the packages? For example, with things like InstallShield you just need to create a "setup.iss" answer file to be used as the answer file when installing.
And if you're stuck on going down the route of using SendKeys, then you'll most likely need to use a script wrapper. Fire off the script, it fires off the .EXE, waits for the window to appear, makes sure it's active, and then sends the desired key. If you google "VBScript sendkeys" you should get some ideas.
And if that doesn't work, sometimes, with outdated, small niche apps, I've basically just performed a manual install on a system, and then copied off the files that got installed. Then I write a script that generates any needed registry entries and basically performs the task of the installer. It's a snap if the app isn't too complex...
And if you're stuck on going down the route of using SendKeys, then you'll most likely need to use a script wrapper. Fire off the script, it fires off the .EXE, waits for the window to appear, makes sure it's active, and then sends the desired key. If you google "VBScript sendkeys" you should get some ideas.
And if that doesn't work, sometimes, with outdated, small niche apps, I've basically just performed a manual install on a system, and then copied off the files that got installed. Then I write a script that generates any needed registry entries and basically performs the task of the installer. It's a snap if the app isn't too complex...
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