Software Deployment Error

[Ben]

Hi,

I've created a GP that installs Office Communicator, while
removing/upgrading Windows Messenger (5.1), for 1/2 our users it seems to
have worked, however for the other half nothing happens. When I run RSoP, I
see the following error in the software installs node.

Application Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 from policy Software
Deployment GP was configured to upgrade application Windows Messenger 5.1
from policy Software Deployment GP. The removal
of application Windows Messenger 5.1 from policy Software Deployment GP
failed with error : The group policy framework should call the extension in
the synchronous foreground policy refresh. The upgrade will be aborted.

Event viewer gives these errors

Event Source: Application Management
Event ID: 201
Description:
Application Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 from policy Software
Deployment GP is an upgrade of application Windows Messenger 5.1 from policy
Software Deployment GP and will force application Windows Messenger 5.1 to
be removed.

Event Source: Application Management
Event ID: 106
Description:
Application Microsoft Office Communicator 2005 from policy Software
Deployment GP was configured to upgrade application Windows Messenger 5.1
from policy Software Deployment GP. The removal of application Windows
Messenger 5.1 from policy Software Deployment GP failed with error : The
group policy framework should call the extension in the synchronous
foreground policy refresh. The upgrade will be aborted.

Event Source: Application Management
Event ID: 108
Description:
Failed to apply changes to software installation settings. Software
installation policy application has been delayed until the next logon
because an administrator has enabled logon optimization for group policy.
The error was : The group policy framework should call the extension in the
synchronous foreground policy refresh.

This doesn't really tell me a lot, from what I can gather Windows Messenger
is having problems uninstalling, but how do I fix this, without having to do
it manually (would be a pain, with lots of computers).

I have checked with eventid.net, and there is no information for the first 2
events, the last only has a small bit of info, which leads off to
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=278472 This suggests that you make sure
the domain computer has access to the share/file, which I have done, and it
has read/execute permissions. I can't see why 1/2 domain computers would
update, but the other 1/2 wouldn't.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

Ben

 

[Harj]

Hello Ben,

One thing you have not mentioned here is what OS the clients are
running.
The main point here is within the error "The group policy framework
should call the extension in the
synchronous foreground policy refresh".
By default in Windows XP Professional, the Fast Logon Optimization
feature is set for both domain and workgroup members. As a result,
Windows XP does not wait for the network to be fully initialized at
startup and logon.
You can find information at the following link
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=305293

This is one problem with the native Software Deployment within
Microsoft's Active Directory. The errors you receive are very generic
and could take you just as long to figure out why it failed as it takes
creating all of your deployments.
There is a Software Deployment product out there that uses your
existing Group Policy structure which allows you much more control and
gives you much more detailed feedback on success's and failures on your
Software Deployments.
No need for added servers or new training. If you know Group Policies
then you can use this product.
It also gives you the advantage to deploy legacy packages to the
endusers without having to go the extra step in creating an MSI to
deploy with the native Group Policy Software Deployment.
More can be found at the following
http://www.specopssoft.com/products/specopsdeploy/Default.asp

Harj Singh
"Software Deployment done right"
Special Operations Software
www.specopssoft.com

 

[Ben]

Hi Harj,

Thanks for the reply, I will take a look at the link you supplied. In the
end I found out that the problem was caused by the user (isn't it always)
for some reason he had added his local network connection to a bridge
connection along with his 'wireless' & 1'394 connection' why, I don't know!
I removed his LAN connection, and rebooted, and the software deployment
worked as expected!

Thanks again

Ben

P.S. All clients are running Windows XP SP2, and domain is Win 2003 server.