Category Archives: Software

Posts about software and software distribution at Williams College

KACE – Software installs from alternative download

Using the KACE 1000 server to install software from the “Alternative” download share … (This preserves disk space on the server for the patch feed.)

1) Create zip file of install files. (Be sure to just zip the files and not the enclosing folder. The install process is going to be looking to work with something like “.\install.exe”)

2) Copy that zip file to \\kstore\apps (Gabe needs to give your account write permission to that share.)

3) Create a dummy zip file which has only one small file but has the exact same name as the zip file you just copied to the \\kstore share (be careful not to overwrite and/or confuse these 2 zip files.)

4) Map a drive on a windows box that is running the KACE 1000 client to the \\kstore\apps share

5) Create the checksum for the zip file stored in the \\kstore\apps location with the command:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\KACE\KDeploy.exe" -hash=k:\FILENAME.ZIP

6) Log into the KACE 1000 server and go to Inventory – Software – Choose Action – Create New Item …
Enter a relevant Display Name, Select the target Operating Systems, and choose the small dummy zip file as the file to upload and associate with this software item. Save this item.

7) Next go to Distribution – Managed Installations – Choose Action – Create New Item …
Select the software item you just saved above. Leave everything blank till the “Installation Command” section. I select “Configure Manually” and enter the exact install command as in “setup.exe /S” and then check off “Run Command Only” and “Don’t Prepend msiexec”. Also check off “Use Alternative Download” which opens a couple more boxes. In the first, put your share location, mine is: \\kstore\apps, next paste in the checksum you generated earlier, be sure to carefully delete the extra crap at the beginning and end of the actual checksum. Enter the username and password for an account on the share that has read access to the share location. (Gabe is the keeper of these accounts) Enter any notes you may want, also select the target computers which should get the install and set the installation time frame and lastly for the Managed Action: select “Execute Anytime”. Then save the item.

Now – as the targeted computers check-in – they should see that they have an installation waiting and they should attempt the install. Assuming everything is correct above the installs should proceed.

Troubleshooting —

1) Be sure that the install command is absolutely correct. To do this test the install command in a command window on a test computer or VM.
2) Be sure the name of the dummy zip file and the real zip file are identical.
3) Be sure the checksum is created against the real zip file stored on the share.

Windows 8 – First Impressions …

Windows 8 is an interesting new windows version. Microsoft says this is “a whole new way to use Windows” and they aren’t kidding!

For long-time windows users it is quite disorienting at first glance. Just getting logged in presents a challenge of figuring out how to raise the “window shade” on the login window. Once logged in, you are offered the helpful “Start” window. Clicking on one of these presumably often used applications launches that app in a full screen. This then presents the challenge of figuring out how to get back to the “Start” window. Also, after clicking on several applications figuring out how to close those apps which you know are still running in the background is yet one more hurdle. No, there is not an “Exit” function anywhere to be found in those running apps.

From a new windows user perspective, I suppose, the interface is slick. All the confusing computer control functions like the Control Panel and Computer Preferences are so buried that you can only find them if you know they are there and have some clue as to where to look for them. Also, the new windows 8 applications like Reader have slicked down interfaces in full screens with features and options hidden. Other applications like Windows Explorer has the same “ribbon” interface that has become common in applications like Microsoft Word, etc. This, presumably, all makes the new Windows 8 interface more consistent and coherent to individuals that just want to get some work done.

For several “Getting Started” videos, have a look at:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/get-started?page=vid3

For a bit more advanced information, try:
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/50-windows-8-tips-tricks-and-secrets-1028220