A spin on Total Install idea

[Widya Santoso]

I was watching Total Install do its magic while I was installing some
software, checking changes to the registry and watching what files get
loaded and where. I thought, "this is pretty cool that Total Install
knows where all the changes are made." Then I thought, "wouldn't it be
cool for Total Install to not only record the changes and files saved for
uninstalling, but also to reinstall software."

What I was thinking was this: A Total Install-like program could monitor
an installation of an application, not only to unistall it, but also to
aid in reinstalling that application from backups. First it would record
the location where the application is to be installed. It would then
monitor registry changes and create a reg file of those changes. It would
also monitor the installation of files outside the main installation
directory, and create a mini installation sub-directory for those files.
Once done, the final job to do is to write a small batch file.

The batch file would execute the reg files to install those registry
changes, and use the mini installation sub-directory to copy the files in
the sub-directory to the location where the original installation would
place it.

What use would this program be? Well, it means that one would be able to
back up their applications like they would their data files or their OS,
and then run the batch file to restore the application to its original
just installed state. One would not have to input any registration keys
as they would have been saved by the reg files or the sub-directory (or in
the application directory.) And of course, you would save having to
individually reinstall all your programs.

Has this idea got wings, or have I missed something that would make this
idea a cropper?

As always,

 

[Mel]

I was watching Total Install do its magic while I was installing some
software, checking changes to the registry and watching what files get
loaded and where. I thought, "this is pretty cool that Total Install
knows where all the changes are made." Then I thought, "wouldn't it be
cool for Total Install to not only record the changes and files saved for
uninstalling, but also to reinstall software."

What I was thinking was this: A Total Install-like program could monitor
an installation of an application, not only to unistall it, but also to
aid in reinstalling that application from backups. First it would record
the location where the application is to be installed. It would then
monitor registry changes and create a reg file of those changes. It would
also monitor the installation of files outside the main installation
directory, and create a mini installation sub-directory for those files.
Once done, the final job to do is to write a small batch file.

The batch file would execute the reg files to install those registry
changes, and use the mini installation sub-directory to copy the files in
the sub-directory to the location where the original installation would
place it.

What use would this program be? Well, it means that one would be able to
back up their applications like they would their data files or their OS,
and then run the batch file to restore the application to its original
just installed state. One would not have to input any registration keys
as they would have been saved by the reg files or the sub-directory (or in
the application directory.) And of course, you would save having to
individually reinstall all your programs.

Has this idea got wings, or have I missed something that would make this
idea a cropper?

When you install a program the install routine will check for and install, if not
present any 3rd party components required by the program. If you were
to back-up the changes on a system that had some or all of the required
components present and use this to re-install on a system without them
the program wouldn't work.

Total Uninstall will also log changes to files and the registry that occur
during the install, but have nothing to do with the install itself, writting
these back later can cause problems.

I did once write a script to convert Total Uninstall's data files (.TUN)
to a registry merge file so I could restore the original entries without
reinstalling a program and perhaps more usefully back-up the keys
after I got it set-up to my liking. It sort-of works, but I never really finished
it and the files it produces require careful editing.

http://freespace.virgin.net/mel.sage/

Regards,

Mel.

 

[dadiOH]

I was watching Total Install do its magic while I was installing some
software, checking changes to the registry and watching what files get
loaded and where. I thought, "this is pretty cool that Total Install
knows where all the changes are made." Then I thought, "wouldn't it
be cool for Total Install to not only record the changes and files
saved for uninstalling, but also to reinstall software."

Has this idea got wings, or have I missed something that would make
this idea a cropper?

You missed the concept of archiving the original program setup program
which does exactly what you want.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

 

[Chrissy Cruiser]

Has this idea got wings, or have I missed something that would make this
idea a cropper?

"A spin on Total Install idea"

*UN*install, watch less, rewd more!

 

[Phoenix]

I was watching Total Install do its magic while I was installing some
software, checking changes to the registry and watching what files get
loaded and where. I thought, "this is pretty cool that Total Install
knows where all the changes are made." Then I thought, "wouldn't it be
cool for Total Install to not only record the changes and files saved for
uninstalling, but also to reinstall software."

Following the train of your thoughts, and what you seem to want to do...
Like most half good ideas, it's been thought of before. If I remember
correctly, Norton had something like this called "GoBack", but of course
that isn't Freeware (more like acquiredware/bloatware).
However...

There is a program (it's been around for ages) called InstallRite by Epsilon
Squared software. From memory, it not only monitors an installation, but
offers to "build an Install-Kit" so you can replicate what a packaged
installer put on your machine.
This URL http://www.epsilonsquared.com/ will find it.

Not only that, but if I recall correctly, the software may be "paused" in
it's monitoring activities and then continue.
This has the advantage of allowing you to, for example, move a folder
created in the start menu to the path where you actually want it to be and
then "capture" the proper location as if the installer had put it there.
It's also useful for allowing you to RUN an application after installation
at least once so that the monitoring process captures registry changes made
post install. You can also use the pause facility to allow you to input a
serial number (not relevant here) and capture that as well. All in all, you
may find this software useful.

 

[Sweet Andy]

It's also useful for allowing you to RUN an application after
I think Total Uninstall (btw that's the correct name) already does this.

Since 2.35 Total Uninstall is now payware. The OP might want to make
suggestions to the author.

 

[Clif Notes]

Total Uninstall
Correction: version 2.35 is still freeware. Version 3+ is payware. Last
known freeware version is still available. I've contacted the author
and he has no problems with re-distribution.

See my updated review from July 24th.
http://www.tonguewag.com/journals/clif5561/

Clif
http://clifnotes.net
Devoted to promoting Freeware and Free Information

 

[Susan Bugher]

Total Uninstall
Correction: version 2.35 is still freeware. Version 3+ is payware. Last
known freeware version is still available. I've contacted the author
and he has no problems with re-distribution.

Yup - download links are shown here:

http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/2005/PL2005SYSTEMUTILITIES.php#0777-PW

Total Uninstall
(Freeware) (last freeware version)
Windows OS: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Languages: English, Brazilian-Portuguese, Catalan, ChineseBig5, Czech, Dutch, French, Galician,
German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish
Description: Total Uninstall can help you to monitor any changes that were made to your system
during installation of a new software product and allow you to perform a complete uninstall without
having to rely on the supplied uninstall program (which may leave files or changes behind). To use
it, you simply launch the installation program from the Total Uninstall interface and select the
system areas to be monitored. The program will then create a snapshot of your system before it
installs the new software and an additional snapshot after install completes. It then compares the
two snapshots and displays all changes in a graphical tree view, marking all values and/or files
that have been added or changed as well as some before/after details. Total Uninstall will save
these changes and if you decide to uninstall the application, it will reverse all changes to the
previous state.
Company: -- Author: Gavrila Martau (Gabi)
Program description: download v 2.35 (2005-02-15) (tun235.zip) (684 KB)
http://freeware4u.com/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=234
alternate download link v 2.35 (2005-02-15) (tun235.zip) (684 KB)
http://digilander.libero.it/molearchive3/tun235.zip
Home Page (Sware):
http://www.martau.com/

2005PL CD files: tun234.zip
(desc. rev.: 2005-07-19)

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware
Search alt.comp.freeware (or read it online):
http://www.google.com.gr/groups?q=+group:alt.comp.freeware&hl=en
Pricelessware & ACF: http://www.pricelesswarehome.org
Pricelessware: http://www.pricelessware.org (not maintained)

 

[Clif Notes]

Thanks Susan,

I wasn't sure you had it updated yet. Looks like you surely do.
Thanks to Mark at Freeware4u for hosting it.

Clif
http://clifnotes.net
Devoted to promoting Freeware and Free Information

 

[Susan Bugher]

Thanks Susan,

I wasn't sure you had it updated yet. Looks like you surely do.

I had lots of help. By the time I read the "heads-up" post saying it was no longer available on the
author's site the new download links had been posted too. That's par for the course around here.

ACF rocks.

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware
Search alt.comp.freeware (or read it online):
http://www.google.com.gr/groups?q=+group:alt.comp.freeware&hl=en
Pricelessware & ACF: http://www.pricelesswarehome.org
Pricelessware: http://www.pricelessware.org (not maintained)

 

[Duddits]

I was watching Total Install do its magic while I was installing some
software, checking changes to the registry and watching what files get
loaded and where. I thought, "this is pretty cool that Total Install
knows where all the changes are made." Then I thought, "wouldn't it be
cool for Total Install to not only record the changes and files saved for
uninstalling, but also to reinstall software."

What I was thinking was this: A Total Install-like program could monitor
an installation of an application, not only to unistall it, but also to
aid in reinstalling that application from backups. First it would record
the location where the application is to be installed. It would then
monitor registry changes and create a reg file of those changes. It would
also monitor the installation of files outside the main installation
directory, and create a mini installation sub-directory for those files.
Once done, the final job to do is to write a small batch file.

The batch file would execute the reg files to install those registry
changes, and use the mini installation sub-directory to copy the files in
the sub-directory to the location where the original installation would
place it.

What use would this program be? Well, it means that one would be able to
back up their applications like they would their data files or their OS,
and then run the batch file to restore the application to its original
just installed state. One would not have to input any registration keys
as they would have been saved by the reg files or the sub-directory (or in
the application directory.) And of course, you would save having to
individually reinstall all your programs.

Has this idea got wings, or have I missed something that would make this
idea a cropper?

As always,

InstallRite (freeware) will do this
http://www.epsilonsquared.com/installrite.htm

regards

Dud

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

InstallRite (freeware) will do this
http://www.epsilonsquared.com/installrite.htm

regards

Dud

Any reports about InstallRite and its companion, InstallWatch?

The descriptions of all these programs(including Total Uninstall look
very good. In general, they blow away the capabilities of the commercial
System Suite that I've been using. SS did provide the ability to lift an
installed program intact off one computer and plunk it down upon
another. I've never tried that function, so I can't comment on it. SS
does not allow a person to move it on the same machine -- let's say, to
lift the program files out of one directory and deposit them in a
different one. It also doesn't allow a before-and-after comparison,
which would be most handy.

Richard

 

[Duddits]

snip
Any reports about InstallRite and its companion, InstallWatch?

The descriptions of all these programs(including Total Uninstall look
very good. In general, they blow away the capabilities of the commercial
System Suite that I've been using. SS did provide the ability to lift an
installed program intact off one computer and plunk it down upon
another. I've never tried that function, so I can't comment on it. SS
does not allow a person to move it on the same machine -- let's say, to
lift the program files out of one directory and deposit them in a
different one. It also doesn't allow a before-and-after comparison,
which would be most handy.

Richard

They haven't been updated in quite some time but, iirc, InstallWatch was
Pricelessware several years back. The Install package that InstallRite
creates is much larger than the original program install file but is highly
configurable. I've used both programs in the past without issue. Give em
a whirl and see what you think.

regards

Dud