Package apps like scripting macros
Simple Question: Is there a packager out there that will perform exe launches, keystrokes, and text entry to sort of automatically install a game "manually" i.e. from its setup files directly?
Backstory: I use Ghost AISnapshot to package games, and it works well, however, there are two games that it does not seem to work on, Tribes Vengeance and C&C Generals.
I've narrowed it down to the packaging process itself, if I install the game, it works fine, if i then uninstall it, use Ghost's AISnapshot to monitor the install, make a package, deploy it, Tribes works but gives a cdkey error. I know where the key is in the registry, but re-adding it does not work, it needs to be installed manually... i need to script an install similar to how a macro in word or excel is scripted
Backstory: I use Ghost AISnapshot to package games, and it works well, however, there are two games that it does not seem to work on, Tribes Vengeance and C&C Generals.
I've narrowed it down to the packaging process itself, if I install the game, it works fine, if i then uninstall it, use Ghost's AISnapshot to monitor the install, make a package, deploy it, Tribes works but gives a cdkey error. I know where the key is in the registry, but re-adding it does not work, it needs to be installed manually... i need to script an install similar to how a macro in word or excel is scripted
0 Comments
[ + ] Show comments
Answers (2)
Please log in to answer
Posted by:
bobfrytz
19 years ago
Try AutoIt, which you will find here:
http://www.hiddensoft.com/autoit3/index.php
You can compile the autoit script into a single exe that you can run as a custom action. Beware that button presses and mouse clicks on dialog boxes can be a little complicated to script with this tool due to the "Window Name". Use the "AutoIt Window Spy" to record the window information so you can specify which windows and/or dialogs you want to manipulate. If this will run with users who may interfere with the process then you should lock the keyboard and mouse while the script is running and unlock it when the script is done (both built in functions of AutoIt).
http://www.hiddensoft.com/autoit3/index.php
You can compile the autoit script into a single exe that you can run as a custom action. Beware that button presses and mouse clicks on dialog boxes can be a little complicated to script with this tool due to the "Window Name". Use the "AutoIt Window Spy" to record the window information so you can specify which windows and/or dialogs you want to manipulate. If this will run with users who may interfere with the process then you should lock the keyboard and mouse while the script is running and unlock it when the script is done (both built in functions of AutoIt).
Posted by:
plangton
19 years ago
Hi Darkstorm,
I've used vbscript to do this, it has a sendkeys function, and it works fine. Autoit is probably a more complete solution but I've yet to have a need to go that far.
' This following section waits for the reboot window to appear and sends the N key so it will not reboot
set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
For lCount = 1 to 1200
If WshShell.AppActivate("System Settings Change") Then
WshShell.SendKeys "N"
Exit For
End If
For example. If you aren't proficient in vbscript, then there are contant variables that refer to certain keys like {TAB}, {DOWN}, {UP} etc. You can even do {TAB 7} for 7 tabs, {DOWN 4} for down key 4 times etc. Alt-F4 is %{F4} ... its pretty flexible.
The If WshShell.AppActivate("System Settings Change") Then bit waits for a window with the title System Settings Change to appear ...
Hope that helps.
Rgds
Paul
I've used vbscript to do this, it has a sendkeys function, and it works fine. Autoit is probably a more complete solution but I've yet to have a need to go that far.
' This following section waits for the reboot window to appear and sends the N key so it will not reboot
set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
For lCount = 1 to 1200
If WshShell.AppActivate("System Settings Change") Then
WshShell.SendKeys "N"
Exit For
End If
For example. If you aren't proficient in vbscript, then there are contant variables that refer to certain keys like {TAB}, {DOWN}, {UP} etc. You can even do {TAB 7} for 7 tabs, {DOWN 4} for down key 4 times etc. Alt-F4 is %{F4} ... its pretty flexible.
The If WshShell.AppActivate("System Settings Change") Then bit waits for a window with the title System Settings Change to appear ...
Hope that helps.
Rgds
Paul
Rating comments in this legacy AppDeploy message board thread won't reorder them,so that the conversation will remain readable.