Task - Firefox Global Extension Installation

Content Authoring
1

(imported topic written by SystemAdmin)

I am having trouble using Big Fix to distribute a Firefox extension globally so that all users on the computer can access it. Below I have included details about my environment and files.

Environment

OS: Windows Vista SP2

Browser: Firefox 3.6

Extension: Zotero 2.0

Part A: Obtain the Extension folders and files

  1. Download the XPI file - http://www.zotero.org/download/zotero-2.0.xpi

  2. Place the XPI file into the correct directory - %programfiles%\Mozilla Firefox\extensions

  3. Run Firefox one time and agree to the installation of the extension

  4. Close Firefox

  5. Navigate to %programfiles%\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\ and copy the extension folder zotero@chnm.gmu.edu

I have found that this works and has no problems when manually done by a user with administrative privileges. The extension folder’s contents can be copied to as many computers as required to spread the contained extensions.

Part B: Creating a Custom Task

  1. Copy the zotero@chnm.gmu.edu folder to my BigFix machine and place it in a containing folder called Zotero

  2. Using the Windows Software Distribution Wizard create a Custom Task that contains the Zotero folder and all subfolders.

2a) Relevance:

(name of it = 
"WinXP" OR (name of it = 
"WinVista" and product type of it = nt workstation product type) OR (name of it = 
"Win7") AND (exists regapp 
"besclient.exe" whose (version of it >= 
"7.2.4.60"))) of operating system AND (not exists file 
"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\zotero@chnm.gmu.edu\install.rdf")

2b) Action Script:

download http:
//URL/Uploads/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/zotero.tmp 

continue 

if 
{(size of it = 2533093 AND sha1 of it = 
"xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx") of file 
"zotero.tmp" of folder 
"__Download"
} extract zotero.tmp waithidden cmd.exe /C xcopy __Download\zotero 
"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions" /E /I

Part C: Action on Windows Vista

  1. I apply the task to a single computer for testing and have the following result:

    Completed download http:
    //URL/Uploads/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/zotero.tmp Completed

    continue

    if
    {(size of it = 2533093 AND sha1 of it =
    “xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”) of file
    "zotero.tmp" of folder
    "__Download"
    } Completed extract zotero.tmp Completed waithidden cmd.exe /C xcopy __Download\zotero
    "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions" /E /I

  2. In the machine log I receive the following message:

    At 15:25:59 -0500 - opsite10 (http:
    //URL/cgi-bin/bfgather.exe/opsite10) Command succeeded (Exit Code=4) waithidden cmd.exe /C xcopy __Download\zotero
    "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions" /E /I (fixlet 15187)

2a) Xcopy Exit Codes: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb491035.aspx

  1. I manually placed the files on the computer and ran the xcopy command line and received an Access Denied error.

  2. I modified 3 Group Policy settings for this machine as are consistent with this article: http://www.petri.co.il/disable_uac_in_windows_vista.htm method #3.

  3. I reran the Xcopy command again manually and it worked without error.

  4. I retested the Big Fix deployment method but it does not work. I still get the same output.

I appreciate any help. Thank you.

2

(imported comment written by NoahSalzman)

Not really sure why that xcopy line is failing, but clearly a little brute force trial and error couldn’t hurt:

  • Try adding a backslash after extensions

  • Try /S /Y instead of /E /I

  • Try removing “cmd.exe /C” from the line that is failing