/build/static/layout/Breadcrumb_cap_w.png

Silent uninstall an old InstallShield based setup

Hi everyone

I'm trying to silently uninstall an application (Novell GroupWise 6.5) which is based on an old InstallShield setup. The uninstall string is as follows:

%WIN%\IsUn0407.exe -fC:\Programme\GroupWise\DeIsL1.isu -cC:\WINDOWS\system32\gwuninst.dll

However, there are a few message boxes asking for confirmation and telling that setup has finished uninstalling. How can I suppress those message boxes? Do I have to edit the .isu file? If yes, how (it's obviously not a simple text file). Or what are the usual parameters for that?
Unfortunately, the /? parameter doesn't work.

Any ideas? Thanks you so much.
Roland

0 Comments   [ + ] Show comments

Answers (10)

Posted by: nadler 15 years ago
Senior Yellow Belt
2
ORIGINAL: rpfenninger

Hi everyone

I'm trying to silently uninstall an application (Novell GroupWise 6.5) which is based on an old InstallShield setup. The uninstall string is as follows:

%WIN%\IsUn0407.exe -fC:\Programme\GroupWise\DeIsL1.isu -cC:\WINDOWS\system32\gwuninst.dll

However, there are a few message boxes asking for confirmation and telling that setup has finished uninstalling. How can I suppress those message boxes? Do I have to edit the .isu file? If yes, how (it's obviously not a simple text file). Or what are the usual parameters for that?
Unfortunately, the /? parameter doesn't work.

Any ideas? Thanks you so much.
Roland



Hi rpfenninger
try to simply add the parameter -a in front of -f

IsUn0407.exe -a -fC:\Programme

Comments:
  • after 12 years. it still works :D - theprofessor 4 years ago
Posted by: Secondlaw 16 years ago
Third Degree Blue Belt
0
Create an uninstall wrapper using AutoIt or Winbatch. Have these app monitor for certain windows. If those windows appear, they can automatically close them out.
Posted by: akhlaque 16 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
Have u tried creating an .iss file (installshield answer file).
Have a look to this as well http://itninja.com/blog/view/installshield-setup-parameters.
Posted by: rpfenninger 16 years ago
Second Degree Green Belt
0
Thank you guys so far.
However, unfortunately the IsUn0407.exe does not support the switches (like /r to create the .iss file). And I have no InstallShield tools by the hand...

@Secondlaw: I'd use AutoIt only as a last resort.

What's the difference between the .isu and the .iss?
Posted by: akhlaque 16 years ago
Orange Senior Belt
0
Try this utility to find the commandline options in ur exe.
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?http://www.msfn.org/board/Universal-Silent-Switch-Finder-01-t17940.html




_________________________________________
Akhlaque
Posted by: Coriolus 16 years ago
Orange Belt
0
I usually like to try repackaging non-MSI based installshield packages if I can becuase if you are successful it makes life much easier for deployment and removal..
Posted by: nmi 16 years ago
Orange Belt
0
ORIGINAL: rpfenninger

@Secondlaw: I'd use AutoIt only as a last resort.



Best of luck! I spent days looking for ways to remove these packages without getting some form on confirmation box (usually the "Are you sure you wish to uninstall?" one) and Autoit was the only solution that worked. In the end, I ran out of time trying to find a solution using the installshield tools. Maybe there is a solution out there, but Autoit worked for us.

nmi
Posted by: anonymous_9363 16 years ago
Red Belt
0
The original IS Setup stub should be able to build the ISS file. If the stub is no longer available, if it were me, I'd capture the uninstall you have, simply to get a list of the files and registry settings involved and then build a custom script to replicate its behaviour. *MUCH* neater than AutoIt-style utilities which have the potential to fail if they encounter unexpected windows. Of course, you won't have to have individual lines for each file's deletion: you can use the FileSystemObject's methods to delete all files in a folder, then delete the empty folder.
Posted by: Inabus 16 years ago
Second Degree Green Belt
0
Ah VBScab, living up to the first 3 digits of your name :)

P
Posted by: anonymous_9363 16 years ago
Red Belt
0
Stick with what you know, is what I say :)

I figure any technology that allows me to drop a folder on to a file and have that folder's MSIs and/or MSTs added to a Group Policy Object link, its group created and permissioned to that object, ready for deployment has to be worth believing in.
Rating comments in this legacy AppDeploy message board thread won't reorder them,
so that the conversation will remain readable.
 
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site and/or clicking the "Accept" button you are providing consent Quest Software and its affiliates do NOT sell the Personal Data you provide to us either when you register on our websites or when you do business with us. For more information about our Privacy Policy and our data protection efforts, please visit GDPR-HQ