Software Deployment

Im having a problem when i try the following string "msiexec /x "c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi" /qn" nothing happens. When i try it without the QN i get a msg asking if i want to uninstall and when i his yes it works. How can i define the YES when i do a /QN?

The '/QN' switch is to run the installer completely silently, with 'N'o user interface so, while it looks as if nothing is happening, the MSIExec.EXE process will be controlling the install/uninstall.

Thanks for the info, i have a quick question. When i run the command with QN i beleive its not finishing because when i run the command without the QN, im prompted to confirm that i want to do the uninstall. Could that be the cause of my problem? If so how can i stop that.

I dont think its because of that. Generally if its a MSI you can uninstall the package with the product code.
Msiexec /C "PRODUCT CODE" /qn

Combine the "totally silent" switch with the verbose log switch:"msiexec /x "c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi" /qn /l*v %temp%\visio2000pro.logThat will place a verbose log of the uninstallation into a file '%temp%\visio2000pro.log'. If the uninstall truly doesn't complete, there will be an entry 'Return value 3.' in that log. The dozen or so lines above and below that entry will show you where the uninstall is failing. It could simply be that a reboot is required.

Hi, Thanks for the info, heres what the log looks like, not sure why it says running entire install on the server. If i run it without the Q i get a msg "are you sure you want to un-install" i hit ok and the un-install runs.

=== Verbose logging started: 3/31/2010 6:26:42 Build type: SHIP UNICODE 3.01.4001.5512 Calling process: C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe ===
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: Client-side and UI is none or basic: Running entire install on the server.
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: Grabbed execution mutex.
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: Cloaking enabled.
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:968]: Attempting to enable all disabled priveleges before calling Install on Server
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:42:984]: Incrementing counter to disable shutdown. Counter after increment: 0
MSI (s) (EC:20) [06:26:43:000]: Grabbed execution mutex.
MSI (s) (EC:F8) [06:26:43:000]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (s) (EC:F8) [06:26:43:000]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (s) (EC:F8) [06:26:43:000]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (s) (EC:F8) [06:26:43:000]: Note: 1: 2203 2: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi 3: -2147287037
MSI (s) (EC:F8) [06:26:43:000]: MainEngineThread is returning 3
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:43:000]: Decrementing counter to disable shutdown. If counter >= 0, shutdown will be denied. Counter after decrement: -1
MSI (c) (24:08) [06:26:43:000]: MainEngineThread is returning 3
=== Verbose logging stopped: 3/31/2010 6:26:43 ===

So, having got that error, we need to do the Windows "maths".

-2147287037 converts to hex FFFFFFFF80030003
Drop the leading Fs, to get 80030003
Look up that error and we get "Path %1 could not be found"

Now use ProcMon to determine which path is causing the problem. I suspect that it's the first part of the folder you specify as the MSI's container: it looks to me like it has 2 spaces in it:c:\ms visio[space][space]2000\[etc] Does the actual path have 2 spaces?

Hi, well that was part of it, the 2 spaces, thanks. I fixed that (i feel stupid) and it still doesnt work now i get the below error. What catches my attention is something about no product code found. However, it works when i run it without the Q, i just have to hit OK, so im not sure if thats really the problem. I really appreciate your help.


=== Verbose logging started: 3/31/2010 9:18:34 Build type: SHIP UNICODE 3.01.4001.5512 Calling process: C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe ===
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:234]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:234]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:234]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:234]: Client-side and UI is none or basic: Running entire install on the server.
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:234]: Grabbed execution mutex.
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:296]: Cloaking enabled.
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:296]: Attempting to enable all disabled priveleges before calling Install on Server
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:312]: Incrementing counter to disable shutdown. Counter after increment: 0
MSI (s) (04:D0) [09:18:34:312]: Grabbed execution mutex.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:312]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:312]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:312]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:328]: Machine policy value 'DisableUserInstalls' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: File will have security applied from OpCode.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: Verifying package --> 'c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi' against software restriction policy
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: Note: 1: 2262 2: DigitalSignature 3: -2147287038
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi is not digitally signed
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi is permitted to run at the 'unrestricted' authorization level.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: End dialog not enabled
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: Original package ==> c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:343]: Package we're running from ==> c:\WINDOWS\Installer\574ef4b.msi
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: APPCOMPAT: looking for appcompat database entry with ProductCode '{0B438E9A-D40F-47B6-95A3-9AD8ED796EA2}'.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: APPCOMPAT: no matching ProductCode found in database.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: MSCOREE not loaded loading copy from system32
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Machine policy value 'TransformsSecure' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: User policy value 'TransformsAtSource' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Note: 1: 2205 2: 3: MsiFileHash
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Machine policy value 'DisablePatch' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Machine policy value 'AllowLockdownPatch' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Machine policy value 'DisableLUAPatching' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Machine policy value 'DisableFlyWeightPatching' is 0
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: APPCOMPAT: looking for appcompat database entry with ProductCode '{0B438E9A-D40F-47B6-95A3-9AD8ED796EA2}'.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: APPCOMPAT: no matching ProductCode found in database.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Transforms are not secure.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Command Line: REMOVE=ALL CURRENTDIRECTORY=C:\MS Visio 2000\Visio2000Pro\Install\Unattended CLIENTUILEVEL=3 CLIENTPROCESSID=5192
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: PROPERTY CHANGE: Adding PackageCode property. Its value is '{1BF4C515-025B-4061-9FB8-C1049F91A49A}'.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Product Code passed to Engine.Initialize: '
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Product Code from property table before transforms: '{0B438E9A-D40F-47B6-95A3-9AD8ED796EA2}'
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Product Code from property table after transforms: '{0B438E9A-D40F-47B6-95A3-9AD8ED796EA2}'
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Note: 1: 1708
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Note: 1: 2729
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Note: 1: 2729
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: Product: Microsoft Visio -- Installation failed.
MSI (s) (04:64) [09:18:34:359]: MainEngineThread is returning 1605
This action is only valid for products that are currently installed.
c:\ms visio 2000\visio2000pro\install\unattended\vis2000.msi
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:359]: Decrementing counter to disable shutdown. If counter >= 0, shutdown will be denied. Counter after decrement: -1
MSI (c) (48:DC) [09:18:34:375]: MainEngineThread is returning 1605
=== Verbose logging stopped: 3/31/2010 9:18:34 ===

I also tried this, setup.exe /qb- REBOOT=ReallySuppress /x, that works for project 2k 03 and visio 03 but not visio 2k i get a demo shield player box.

Is it possible that the original install was performed as a per-user install? If it was,only the user who installed it will be able to uninstall it, without some MAJOR registry hacking to remove the managed install flags.

Have you tried an uninstall using the 'Uninstall' string from the registry? It might just be that you have a different version of Visio actually installed. In that case, the ProductCodes would be different.

Ahh im sure it was installed on a per user basis by the tech or the users we didnt use a package. I tried the uninstall string but i get the same result. If i do it with out the quiet it get a "are you sure you want to uninstall" i click yes and it work without an issue. When i use quiet nothing happens.