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InstallShield answer file missing entry

Hello,

I'm having problems automating an installshield setup for unattended deployment.
I am able to create an answer file in .iss format using the following command line: setup.exe /r /f1C:\answerfile.iss
After that when I type to deploy the setup, using the following: setup.exe /s /f1C:\answerfile.iss I notice that the setup is'nt being deployed fully automated, the setup shows a dialog box when the following content, on which it gets stuck: http://i.imgur.com/EuIOnLr.png
So when I check the contents of the .iss file, is shows the following:

[InstallShield Silent]
Version=v7.00
File=Response File
[File Transfer]
OverwrittenReadOnly=NoToAll
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-DlgOrder]
Dlg0={5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdWelcome-0
Count=6
Dlg1={5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdLicense2Rtf-0
Dlg2={5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdAskDestPath2-0
Dlg3={5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdComponentTree-0
Dlg4={5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdStartCopy2-0
Dlg5={5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdFinish-0
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdWelcome-0]
Result=1
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdLicense2Rtf-0]
Result=1
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdAskDestPath2-0]
szDir=C:\Program Files
Result=1
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdComponentTree-0]
szDir=C:\Program Files
Database\SQL_Server-type=string
Database\SQL_Server-count=1
Database\SQL_Server-0=Database\SQL_Server\SQLServer_32
Database-type=string
Database-count=2
Database-0=Database\SQL_Server
Database-1=Database\Place_Holder
Component-type=string
Component-count=4
Component-0=Database
Component-1=Client
Component-2=DataMigration
Component-3=PRService
Result=1
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdStartCopy2-0]
Result=1
[{5E096D9E-A3F5-402A-8D29-54F6AC0B3CC1}-SdFinish-0]
Result=1
bOpt1=0
bOpt2=0

So I'm guessing its missing some entry in the answer file and gets stuck because there is no input being given to the setup to automate it.
I've found this page: http://helpnet.installshield.com/installshield16helplib/ResponseFileDialogBoxData.htm which explains which answer options are available for use in the .iss answer file. Problem is that I dont know which answer options the window expects me to put in.

Is there any way to figure out which answers the setup expects?

Greetings,

Teun
Asked 9 years ago 3923 views
0 Comments   [ + ] Show comments

Answers (7)

Posted by: vjaneczko 9 years ago
9th Degree Black Belt
0

There have been scenarios where the ISS file does not capture all of the screen input.  There have also been scenarios where you can create an ISS file but SETUP.EXE simply doesn't accept it.  Pain in the rear.

There's also the situation where the ISS file will only work on the OS and bit rate that it was created on; the ISS created on a XP 32-bit will not work on a XP 64-bit, Win7 32-bit or Win7 64-bit.

VB is right; do a recapture on this one.

Posted by: anonymous_9363 9 years ago
Red Belt
0
>MSSQL 2008
Simple. You install that product before you begin your capture.
Make sure you snapshot your VM first, though - SQL Server is a clunker to sit through over & over! :-)
Posted by: anonymous_9363 9 years ago
Red Belt
0
If you want to persist with the answer file route, I think I'm right in recalling that logging the installation records the dialog details. Be prepared, though, for IS to ignore the dialog even when you've added it to the answer file. It's quite temperamental!
Comments:
  • Yeah, I would like to give the answer file route another try, if I wont prevail I will try to repackage, eventhough the SQL installation is customized with some custom services running to aid the application in use. Do you happen to know how exactly I can find the window and even perhaps button names in the InstallShield dialog? - tjjvisser 9 years ago
    • No, sorry, I don't. - anonymous_9363 9 years ago
    • I wonder if WinSpy (or similar) might help in that regard? - anonymous_9363 9 years ago
      • Thnx VB, ill give it a try and will let you know. - tjjvisser 9 years ago
Posted by: apptopack 9 years ago
Red Belt
0

could you provide the application name to analyze further.

Comments:
  • Encore Pro 2 is the name of the application - tjjvisser 9 years ago
Posted by: anonymous_9363 9 years ago
Red Belt
0
A complete guess but I'd say that bOpt1 sets the radio button to 'Standard' and bOpt2 sets it to 'Advanced' so set whichever of those you want to a value of '1' and then re-test.
Comments:
  • Hi VBScab, thnx for the suggestion. Do you suggest creating a new dlg=* entry in the answer file, or just adjusting the last 2 lines of the answerfile with bOpt1=1 (standard) or bOpt2=1 (advanced)? The response file information as seen in the the link I stated above shows the following about the bOpt1 / BOpt2 options:

    SdFinish-<#>

    bOpt1

    1 = “Yes, I want to view the README file.” is selected
    0 = “Yes, I want to view the README file.” is not selected

    SdFinish-<#>

    bOpt2

    1 = “Yes, I want to launch [app name]” is selected
    0 = “Yes, I want to launch [app name]” is not selected

    Doesnt this suggest these options are only applicable on the SdFinish option? - tjjvisser 9 years ago
Posted by: anonymous_9363 9 years ago
Red Belt
0
So much for my guesswork!

Don't I recall reading somewhere about a bug in IS which meant that not all the dialogue responses were captured? I think it barfs at non-standard dialogs.

 How many dialogs appear in a normal installation? If it's more than 6... :-)
Comments:
  • Its 7 dialog boxes, so just the one I posted is missing. - tjjvisser 9 years ago
Posted by: anonymous_9363 9 years ago
Red Belt
0
BTW, this nonsense is just one of the reasons why I always re-package non-MSI installers!
Comments:
  • The installshield installer of this application contains an installation of MSSQL 2008. Dont think it would be wise to repackage that. Would make the package unreliable, dont you think? - tjjvisser 9 years ago
    • Hi did you get anywhere with silently installing this? I'm also having issues with the same app. Just hangs using the .iss file. Any further ideas? Cheers - shales 9 years ago
 
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