silent install not creating start menu

[jstrob]

I was able to silently install vray 3 for max 2014 perfectly with xml and bat files but now with vray 3.0007 and max 2015 I have trouble. At first it was not installing at all. I removed some lines from my xml file and now everything is almost perfect but I can't get the silent install to create start menus in the programs folder. Not major but still annoying... I would like a perfect install.

Installing manually does it correctly.

I do have the "startmenuprog" line so why isn't it creating them like before for max 2014?

My xml is like this:

<DefValues>
<Value Name="SHOULDUNINSTALL" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="MAXROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2015\</Value>
<Value Name="PLUGINS" DataType="value">$MAXROOT\plugins</Value>
<Value Name="STARTMENUPROG" DataType="value">C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ Start Menu\Programs</Value>
<Value Name="STDROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\3dsmax 2015 for x64</Value>
<Value Name="RTROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\RT for 3ds Max 2015 for x64</Value>
<Value Name="COMMONFILES" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Common Files</Value>
<Value Name="OPEN_README" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="OPEN_CHANGELOG" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="INSTALL_TYPE" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="INSTALL_WIBU" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="REG_LIC_SERVER" DataType="value">1</Value>
<Value Name="REMOTE_LICENSE" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="VISIT_SPOT3D" DataType="value">0</Value>
</DefValues>

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

I tend to install vray on new machines by hand 1st time and then use auto commands.

[Syclone1]

I have a similar problem here where we have to have our IT dept install the software but when installing V-Ray I don't get the start menus showing up for my profile so I have to track down all the exe files and make my own. It seems it wont install for all profiles on the machine but rather just for the profile that that does the install. Is it possible in the future to have it install for all users?

[ruckus]

<DefValues>
<Value Name="SHOULDUNINSTALL" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="MAXROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2015\</Value>
<Value Name="PLUGINS" DataType="value">$MAXROOT\plugins</Value>
<Value Name="STARTMENUPROG" DataType="value">C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ Start Menu\Programs</Value>
<Value Name="STDROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\3dsmax 2015 for x64</Value>
<Value Name="RTROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\RT for 3ds Max 2015 for x64</Value>
<Value Name="COMMONFILES" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Common Files</Value>
<Value Name="OPEN_README" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="OPEN_CHANGELOG" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="INSTALL_TYPE" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="INSTALL_WIBU" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="REG_LIC_SERVER" DataType="value">1</Value>
<Value Name="REMOTE_LICENSE" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="VISIT_SPOT3D" DataType="value">0</Value>
</DefValues>

I am an old sys. admin., but new to V-Ray. I've managed to get my silent installer working for Win7, but just barely. Is there a document anywhere that covers all the options that can be used in the vraySilent.xml?

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

You can type this for automatic installation with no need for manual xml file..
"D:\xxx\vray_adv_xxxx_maya2014_x64.exe" -auto -gui=0

Yoy can then send cmd/deadline/refamo/etc command to all nodes with that command to automatically install vray.

[ruckus]

Thanks Dariusz.

the command I'm using is pretty close:
...\vray_adv_24002_maya2014_x64.exe -gui=0 -configFile=vraySilent.xml -quiet=1

I see you're using another (undocumented) parameter: -auto

My goal is not to guess & hack until I get the installtion I happy with, but to understand what I am doing before I do it. I have 3 types installations to perform StandAlone only, Plug-in without standalone, & both together.

Is this stuff really not documented anywhere?

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

There are some tips in manual ;- )
http://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/V...+and+Uninstall
http://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/V...om+a+.zip+File
http://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/V...V-Ray+for+Maya
http://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/P...+and+Uninstall

Try going over all manuals u can get ur hands on... lots of stuff with vray is similar/the same between packages...

[ruckus]

That's exactly what I was looking for!

- not sure why i was not smart enough to search that up before



BIG THANKS, D!

[jstrob]

BTW PhoenixFD for max 2015 does install silently like a charm and create all the appropriate srtatup menus in the programs folder and create an unsinstall entry in the windows program manager. It's just vray that doesn't, but anyway I can always dig the app I need in the folders so it's not a big deal. But when an installer doesn't do everything it is supposed to do it makes me anxious..

[jstrob]

Someone should create an app that silently install on the network. You open a gui, enter the setting for each computer and click install.

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

Someone should create an app that silently install on the network. You open a gui, enter the setting for each computer and click install.

Umh... you know that all u have to do is send cmd command I listed above and that will happen? Just ger refamo/deadline.

[jstrob]

yes I know, I use deadline and I create xml and bat files to do it, but as I mention in my first post, it's buggy. I guess if someone like vlado crate a small app to do it, it will not be buggy.