Playing with Computers

FAQ: MSI: While installing a bunch of msi files I am getting the following error after few msi installation. "The installation can not continue because a system reboot is pending.:. What might be the issue and how to resolve the issue.

2011-09-16T10:03:00.000+05:30

Cause
Any application can set a pending reboot flag in the operating system through a registry key. Sometimes a reboot does not clear the flag. This is what the setup is detecting.
Resolution
For XP: 1. Open Registry Editor
    1.1 Click the Start Menu > Run
    1.2 Type "regedit" without quotes.
    1.3 Click OK
2. Find the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager"
3. Rename the "PendingFileRenameOperations" value to "PendingFileRenameOperations2"
For Vista:
1. Open Registry Editor
    1.1 Click the Start Menu
    1.2 Type "regedit" without quotes.
    1.3 Right click on RUN and select Run as administrator
2. Find the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager"
3. Rename the "PendingFileRenameOperations" value to "PendingFileRenameOperations2"

MSI FAQ: 11. How do you install 2 MSI packages, after installation of 1st MSI the machine has to reboot and upon start of the machine 2nd MSI installation has to be triggered? Once installation of 2nd MSI is completed the User has to notify with a Message that 2 MSI Installation has been completed. How do you perform the Task? ( If 1st MSI installation has failed then 2nd MSI installation shouldn’t happen)

2011-05-04T10:52:00.000+05:30

There are multiple ways to achieve the above task. I will list two methods and I will recommend the first method as its easy, simple, less error prone and has more changes of compliance with company policy.

Method 1: Use Corporate Package Distribution System such as CA DSM (not sure about SCCM)

• Create two normal packages and then import them in CA DSM, Set the reboot after installation on the install procedure of the first package. (DO NOT LET MSI reboot itself)

• In CA DSM create a policy with install procedures of both the packages.

Isn’t is simple. What happens that when the procedure is deployed on the package first package is installed and then CA DSM reboots the machine, once the machine comes back online then the second package is installed. If the installation of first package fails then CA DSM will not install the second package. :)

Method 2: Use of Active Setup

• Create package B, add the created package in the files section of package A. Set REBOOT property to Force.

• Set active setup in package A, in the stub section add the details to silently install package B.

NOTE: PLEASE FOR GOD SAKE, do not create a nested msi or create a script which will install the msi files.

FAQS 1 : MSI Packaging & Re-packaging.

2011-04-14T12:43:00.025+05:30

Custom Actions

1. How to add custom actions to run only during patching

Add "PATCH" To condition in custom action

2. Name few best practices for creating a Custom Actions

* Do not use custom actions in your package that require elevated privileges to run.

MISC

1. Which runs first "Run" key or Active Setup

Applications launched by Active Setup will run first. Activesetup is using to configure the userprofile settings if no entry points exists in the package and this will be running only once for a specific user.

Where as RUN key will execute everytime when user login the machine. These settings are configured with different sequence , in order to speedup to get access to windows desktop\user level settings.

2. If you extract a COM information through registering the dll or OCX file which tables will it be reflected

3 Can you elaborate the driver handling via device driver?

4 Apart from APP search what tables you use to find whether the particular application is installed via MSI tables?

5. What is the meaning of Launch condition Office2007

Only proceed the installation if value of "Office2007" property is less then "office2003" property

6. What are the attributes you set for files going under c:\Winnt\System?

Nothing, we will let Windows default file setting to be propagated to the newly added files also.

7. What happens if non-keypath file is deleted and a shortcut is launched.

Nothing Happens,

MSI SDK

1. How many tables can control the flow of Installer. Name them

6 tables,Names of them are InstallExecuteSequence, InstallUISequence, AdminExecuteSequence, AdminUISequence, AdvtExecuteSequence, AdvtUISequence

2. During typical execution how many of them are used.

Only 2 tables are used during any typical execution

MSI Sequence

1. Can we control Uninstall GUI

No.

MSI >=4.5

1. What is Per User Application (PUA)

An application capable of being installed, updated, run and removed by a standard user without elevation is called a PUA

2. What is the minimum OS on which MSI 5.0 will get installed

Windows 2008 and Windows 7

3. What is single package authoring / dual purpose package

A dual purpose package is a windows installer 5.0 package that has been authored to be capable of installing an application in either the per-user or per-machine installation context.

4. What is the limitation of PUA/DPP

FreeBasic : Code : runas in FreeBasic

2011-04-13T10:14:00.003+05:30

#Include "windows.bi"

#inclib "advapi32"

Declare FUNCTION CreateProcessWithLogonW LIB "ADVAPI32" ALIAS "CreateProcessWithLogonW" ( _

    byval lpUsername As LPCWSTR  , _

BYVAL lpDomain AS LPCWSTR , _

BYVAL lpPassword AS LPCWSTR, _

BYVAL dwLogonFlags AS DWORD, _

BYVAL lpApplicationName AS LPCWSTR , _

BYVAL lpCommandLine AS LPCWSTR , _

BYVAL dwCreationFlags AS DWORD, _

BYVAL lpEnvironment AS DWORD, _

BYVAL lpCurrentDirectory AS LPCWSTR , _

lpStartupInfo AS STARTUPINFO, _

lpProcessInfo AS PROCESS_INFORMATION) AS LONG

Const X_CJ_LOGON_WITH_PROFILE=1

Const X_CJ_CREATE_DEFAULT_ERROR_MODE = &H04000000

'#############################################

'                   RunAsUser for Windows 2000 and Later

'#############################################

FUNCTION RunAsUser(BYVAL UserName AS STRING, _

        BYVAL Password AS STRING, _

        BYVAL DomainName AS STRING, _

        BYVAL CommandLine AS STRING, _

        BYVAL CurrentDirectory AS STRING) AS boolean        

    Dim si AS STARTUPINFO    

    Dim pi AS PROCESS_INFORMATION

    Dim AS String wCurrentDir,wCommandLine,wPassword,wUser,wDomain 

    dim R01 AS LONG

    si.cb = LEN(si)

    wUser = UserName

    wDomain = DomainName

    wPassword = Password

    wCommandLine = CommandLine

    wCurrentDir = CurrentDirectory

     'Print wCommandLine & "TEST"

    R01 = CreateProcessWithLogonW(wUser,wDomain,wPassword, _

        X_CJ_LOGON_WITH_PROFILE, 0&, wCommandLine, _

        X_CJ_CREATE_DEFAULT_ERROR_MODE, 0&, wCurrentDir, si, pi)    

    IF R01 <> 0 THEN

      CloseHandle pi.hThread

      CloseHandle pi.hProcess      

      Return TRUE

    ELSE

      Return FALSE

    END If

End FUNCTION

Dim As Long R01

Dim As String  user_name,password,domain,program,workingDir

user_name="username"

password="pa$$word"

domain="domain"

program="C:\\windows\\notepad.exe"

workingDir="C:\\windows"

R01=RunAsUser(user_name,password,domain,program,workingDir)

Checking if any process is running using FreeBasic

2011-04-12T07:35:00.002+05:30

#include once "windows.bi" 'in
#define UNICODE 'this
#include once "disphelper/disphelper.bi" 'order
'

Function checkProcName(processName As String) As Boolean
dim as HRESULT hres
dim as zstring ptr procID,procPath, procName

DISPATCH_OBJ(wmiSvc)
DISPATCH_OBJ(colProc)
dhInitialize(TRUE)

hres=dhGetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\.\root\cimv2",NULL,@wmiSvc)
hres=dhGetValue("%o",@colProc,wmiSvc,".ExecQuery(%s)","Select * from Win32_Process Where Name='" & processName & "'") ' where Name=\'" & "notepad.exe" & "\'")
'
Dim count As Integer
count = 0
FOR_EACH0(objProc,colProc,NULL)
count = count +1
*procPath=""
hres=dhGetValue("%s",@procPath,objProc,".ExecutablePath")
hres=dhGetValue("%s",@procID,objProc,".ProcessID")
hres=dhGetValue("%s",@procName,objProc,".Name")
'
if hres=0 then
print *procID; tab(8);*procName
end if
'
NEXT_(objProc)
Print count
SAFE_RELEASE(wmiSvc)
SAFE_RELEASE(colProc)
dhUninitialize(TRUE)

If count = 0 Then
Return FALSE
Else
Return TRUE
EndIf
End Function

Dim test As Boolean
test= checkProcName("notepad.exe")
print:print "Sleeping to Exit.." & test
Sleep

FAQ's MSI Packaging & Repackaging

2011-04-11T12:29:00.003+05:30

There are two version of the document. I have tried my best to have correct information and if you find any issue or wrong information then please inform me about it. The download location for them are as follows

Release Version: http://sourceforge.net/projects/mayadeploy/files/FAQ/. Just download the latest version
Working Version: http://mayadeploy.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/mayadeploy/trunk/FAQ/FAQ on MSI packaging and repackaging.odt. This version is a work in progress and can have wrong information.

MSI Interview Questions. Ver: 0.0.1 Beta 4

2010-10-07T11:49:00.000+05:30

Hello all,
I have updated the MSI Interview Questions, the updated document can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net/projects/mayadeploy/files/FAQ/FAQ%20on%20MSI%20packaging%20and%20repackaging_0.0_1Beta4.pdf/download.
Enjoy solving the last 3 questions.
As always the questions & answers might be wrong.
so please correct me if that is the case .
Enjoy,
Mayank Johri

Alpha 1 Version of App-V Interview Questions

2010-10-07T11:48:00.000+05:30

Dear All,
My first try to consolidate all the app-v interview questions. http://sourceforge.net/projects/softgridhelper/files/Documentations/AppV%20Interview%20Questions_Ver_0.0.1Alpha1.pdf/download
As always your comments and suggestions are most welcome.
Enjoy,
Mayank Johri

FAQ: MSI Interview

2010-07-25T05:02:00.000+05:30

I am posting the first draft of FAQ of MSI packaging & repackaging. It can be downloaded from here

TIPS: Python: Copying text in Clipboard using Python

2010-05-19T06:41:00.000+05:30

following code lets you achieve that.

import win32clipboard
win32clipboard.OpenClipboard()
win32clipboard.EmptyClipboard()
win32clipboard.SetClipboardText(text)
win32clipboard.CloseClipboard()

TIPS: Issues while compiling WXWidgets

2010-05-08T06:17:00.000+05:30

If you have msys installed & added to the path then WxWidgets failes to compile and you will get the error which starts as follows

if not exist gcc_mswd mkdir gcc_mswd

The easiest solution to resolve is in the command prompt remove all the path folders except windows & mingw paths and then try to recompile in the same command window.

TIPS: Most Important Calls From The RunDll32.exe & Shell32.Dll ...

2010-05-06T13:47:00.000+05:30

Most Important Calls From The RunDll32.exe & Shell32.Dll ...

RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,SHFormatDrive',sw_normal

Module	Command	Result
main.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @2	displays the Printers Folder (including Add Printer
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @3	displays the Fonts Folder in Explorer view
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL main.cpl @	displays Power Management Properties
Modem.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL modem.cpl,,add	Runs the Add New Modem wizard
Mmsys.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl,,0	displays the Multimedia/Audio property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl,,1	displays the Multimedia/Video property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl,,2	displays the Multimedia/MIDI property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLmmsys.cpl,,3	Multimedia/CD Music property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl,,4	displays the Multimedia/Advanced property pag
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL mmsys.cpl @1	displays the Sound Properties page
Netcpl.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL netcpl.cpl	displays the Networks properties, Configuration tab
Odbccp32.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL odbccp32.cpl	displays the ODBC32 Data Source Administrator propertie
Shell32.dll	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL {drive:\path\filename}	displays the application/file "Open With" dialog
Password.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL password.cpl	displays the Passwords properties, Change Passwords tab
Powercfg.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL powercfg.cpl	displays the Power Management properties, Power Schemes tab
Intl.cpl	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,0	displays the Regional Settings property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,1	displays the Numbers property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,2	displays the Currency property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,3	displays the Time property page
	rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL intl.cpl,,4	displays the Date property page
Divers	RUNDLL.EXE rnaui.dll,RnaWizard	Dial-Up Network connection wizard
	RUNDLL.EXE shell,shellexecute	Open Explorer window
	sysdm.cpl,InstallDevice_Rundll	Hardware Installation wizard
	RUNDLL.EXE user,cascadechildwindows	Cascade all windows
	RUNDLL.EXE user,MessageBeep	default beep sound
	RUNDLL.EXE user,repaintscreen	same as F5 in an Explorer window
	RUNDLL.EXE user,setcursorpos	cursor is set to the upper left
	RUNDLL.EXE user,SwapMouseButton	swapping mouse buttons
	RUNDLL.EXE user,tilechildwindows	Tile all windows
	RUNDLL.EXE user,wnetconnectdialog	Map Network drive
	RUNDLL.EXE user,wnetdisconnectdialog	Unmap Network drive
	RUNDLL.EXE user,ExitWindows	Exit Windows
	RUNDLL.EXE user,ExitWindowsExec	Restart Windows
	RUNDLL32.EXE rnaserv,CallerAccess	start Dial-Up Server
	RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,Control_RunDLL	start Control Panel
	RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,Control_RunDLL X	"X" = any CPL filename
	RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,OpenAs_RunDLL	"Open with" dialog box
	RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,ShellAboutA	About in an Explorer window
	RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,SHExitWindowsEx X	Exit Windows, where these values apply for X: 1: Exit Windows 2: Reboot PC 4: Close all applications 8: Exit Win and turn-off ATX-compatible PC 0: Restart Windows shell -1: Restart Explorer
	RUNDLL32.EXE shell32,SHFormatDrive	"Format Disk" dialog box
	RUNDLL.EXE krnl386.exe,exitkernel	Exit Windows without prompting

Tips: Few links to Inkscape tutorials.

2010-04-21T21:54:00.000+05:30

http://verysimpledesigns.com/vectors/

http://screencasters.heathenx.org/

http://screencasters.heathenx.org/wp-content/videos/

http://howto.nicubunu.ro/

http://www.microugly.com/inkscape-quickguide/

http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com

http://nicubunu.blogspot.com/

http://www.trazoi.net/tutorials/inkscape

http://www.ioncannon.net/utilities/123/10-tips-for-creating-good-looking-diagrams-using-inkscape

http://www.starfishwebconsulting.co.uk/articles/inkscape-tastic-icons?/tasty_icons

http://aqeeliz.com/2007/03/12/inkscape-tutorial-reflection/

Sorry for the spam.

2010-04-21T07:53:00.000+05:30

Hello ,

Two days back some one hacked my funmayank@yahoo.co.in email id and sent the spam related to dell website. I have since then changed the password. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused due to that email.

Thanks for understanding

Thanks and Regards
Mayank Johri

Tips: wx.Python: Animated Gif in

2010-04-09T18:47:00.000+05:30

import wx

import wx.animate # ..\wx\animate.py

class MyPanel(wx.Panel):

""" class MyPanel creates a panel, inherits wx.Panel """

def __init__(self, parent=None):

wx.Panel.__init__(self, parent)

self.SetBackgroundColour("white")

ag_fname = r"progress.gif"

self.ag = wx.animate.GIFAnimationCtrl(self, -1, ag_fname, pos=(0, 0), size=(64,64))

self.ag.GetPlayer().UseBackgroundColour(True)

self.ag.Play()

#self.ag.Stop()

if __name__ == '__main__':

app = wx.App(redirect = 0)

frame = MyPanel(None)

frame.Show(True)

app.SetTopWindow(frame)

app.MainLoop()

Tips: Python: Switch in Python

2010-03-26T21:43:00.000+05:30

################################################################

# There is no 'Switch' statement in Python, but we can use the following example to simulate switch case.

# We can use dictionary in python to simulate the switch case

################################################################

def f1():

print("Hello f1")

def f2():

print("Hello f2")

funcdict = {

0: f1,

1: f2

}

selection = 1

funcdict.get(selection)()

Tips: Python: Switch in Python

2010-03-26T19:57:00.000+05:30

################################################################

# There is no 'Switch' statement in Python, but we can use the following example to simulate switch case.

# We can use dictionary in python to simulate the switch case

################################################################

def f1():

print("Hello f1")

def f2():

print("Hello f2")

funcdict = {

0: f1,

1: f2

}

selection = 1

funcdict.get(selection)()

Tips: Python: How to get the full username in Windows

2010-03-09T17:56:00.000+05:30

import win32com,win32com.client,pythoncom

sDomain ="ES"

sUser ="johrim"

sADSPath= sDomain + sUser

oUser=win32com.client.GetObject("WinNT://%s,user" % sADSPath )

print (oUser.FullName)

Tips: VBScript: Get Full NT User Name using VBScript

2010-03-08T20:46:00.000+05:30

Set oNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network")
sDomain = "test"
sUser = "johri"
sADSPath= sDomain & "/" & sUser
Set oUser = GetObject("WinNT://" & sADSPath & ",user")
WScript.Echo oUser.FullName

Tips: Python : wxFormBuilder v3.1.67-beta (Febuary 18, 2010) Python Update

2010-03-06T09:21:00.000+05:30

Latest version of wxFormBuilder does not support wxAdditions fully, thus I have updated few XML files to support FlatNotebook & wx.propgrid widgets.

Download wx.propgrid and install it.

Download the XML.Zip folder and extract it in plugins\wxAdditions\xml folder.

Restart the wxformbuilder.

I did not tried to update these files for other widgets but it should be similar.

Tips: Video: convert mov to avi file using ffmpeg

2010-02-25T09:55:00.000+05:30

Use the following command to convert .mov file to .avi file.

ffmpeg -i file-name.mov -g 60 -vcodec msmpeg4v2 -acodec pcm_u8 -f avi file-name.avi

Tips: MSI: Save differences between two msi as MST file using ruby & python

2010-02-19T17:58:00.000+05:30

Ruby

require 'win32ole'
msiClass = WIN32OLE.new("WindowsInstaller.Installer")
msidb = msiClass.OpenDatabase("C:\\temp\\MountPointGenerator.msi",0)
newmsidb = msiClass.OpenDatabase("C:\\temp\\updatedMountPointGenerator.msi",0)
transform = newmsidb.GenerateTransform(msidb,"c:\\temp\\newtest.mst")

Python

import win32com.client
import os
import sys

msiOpenDatabaseModeReadOnly=0
msidb=r"c:\temp\MountPointGenerator.msi"
msiupdb=r"c:\temp\updatedMountPointGenerator.msi"
mstdb=r"C:\temp\MNPtrans.mst"

installer = win32com.client.Dispatch("WindowsInstaller.Installer")
database = installer.OpenDatabase(msidb, msiOpenDatabaseModeReadOnly)
updatedDB= installer.OpenDatabase(msiupdb , msiOpenDatabaseModeReadOnly)
updatedDB.GenerateTransform(database, mstdb)

TIPS: SQLite: Python: How to get the details of a table

2010-01-27T10:11:00.000+05:30

There are two ways you can achieve it.
1.
cursor.execute("PRAGMA table_info(tablename)")
print cursor.fetchall()

2.
sql = sqlite3.connect(self.cFile)
c = sql.cursor()
query = "select * from preferences"
c.execute(query)
col = [tuple[0] for tuple in c.description]
print col

Note:
cur.description returns a tuple of information about each table. The entire tuple is : (name, type_code, display_size, internal_size, precision, scale, null_ok)

TIPS: Google Chrome offline installer

2010-01-20T18:14:00.000+05:30

Use the following link to install Google Chrome offline installer.

http://www.google.com/chrome/eula.html?standalone=1

TIPS: OpenOffice->Impress: How to apply an image to the background of a Presentation

2010-01-19T16:34:00.000+05:30

Go to View > Master > Slide Master

Right click on the slide and choose Slide > Set Background Picture for Slide....

Select the desired Image and

Switch off master view.