Patching PerfectDisk using Active Directory Group Policy

You may need to update PerfectDisk to a new build as features are added or service packs become available. This can be done using PerfectDisk's AutoUpdate feature or by patching/updating via Group Policy.

To patch/update using Group Policy, proceed as follows:

1. First you must download the appropriate patch/update file from Raxco using the AutoUpdate feature of PerfectDisk. If you are patching/updating x86 editions of Windows, the file will contain x86 in the file name (i.e., PD12ENp_x86.exe). If you are patching/updating x64 editions of Windows, the file will contain x64 in the file name (i.e. PD12ENp_X64.exe).

2. This is a self extracting zip file. You will need to extract the Windows Installer patch file (i.e., PD12ENp_x86.msp or PD12ENp_x64.msp) file from this exe file using a program such as WinZip or an equivalent.

3. Once extracted, you need to update the Administrative Installation you created when PerfectDisk 12 was first deployed. To do this, type the following at the command line:

msiexec /a \\MyServer\MyShare\PerfectDisk.msi /p C:\PD12ENp_x86.msp

where "\\MyServer\MyShare\PerfectDisk_x86.msi" is the network path to the original Administrative Installation and "C:\PD12ENp_x86.msp" is the full path to the patch file. If the original deployment was to x64 editions of Windows, change file names appropriately.

4. This will launch the Administrative Installation wizard. You need to re-install PerfectDisk to the same share point used for the original Administrative Installation.

5. Now, open Group Policy from Active Directory Users and Computers, Active Directory Sites and Services, or as a stand-alone Microsoft Management Console snap-in.

6. To assign PerfectDisk to computers, double-click Computer Configuration.

7. Double-click Software Settings.

8. Under Software Installation, choose the PerfectDisk installation. Right-click the package and choose Redeploy. The next time Computer Policy is refreshed, PerfectDisk will be updated.

You can find help from Microsoft on patching/updating with Group Policy at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B226936.

If you need assistance with deploying PerfectDisk with Active Directory Group Policy, please contact Raxco Software Technical Support.

Related Topics

• Benefits of Managing PerfectDisk with Active Directory

• Importing/Creating PerfectDisk Administrative Template

• Deploying PerfectDisk 12 Using Active Directory

• Configuring PerfectDisk Policies at the Computer and User Levels