KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q174330: SMSINST: Use of the RESTART Variable in SMS Installer

Article: Q174330
Product(s): Microsoft Systems Management Server
Version(s): WINDOWS:1.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbsetup smsinst
Last Modified: 15-JUN-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer version 1.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer uses a predefined variable called
RESTART in determining whether or not a system should be restarted at the end of
an installation script. The variable can be set manually in an installation
script or changed automatically by the SMS Installer run- time when certain
conditions are met. Restart variables are case sensitive.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The variable RESTART can be set to any of the following values:

- W (a restart of Windows will be performed)
- S (a warm-boot of the system will be performed)
- E <MS-DOS program name> (the MS-DOS program will be executed during the
  restart)

The RESTART variable is set automatically by using a number of script items
including, but not limited to:

- Add Command to Autoexec.bat
- Add Command to Config.sys
- Add Device to System.ini

The RESTART variable is also set automatically if you replace any files in use.
SMS Installer copies the new version of the file into the destination directory
under a temporary filename. After the system is restarted, the original file to
be replaced is deleted and the new file is renamed.

To determine which file is causing the RESTART variable to be set, you can place
a "Display Message %RESTART%" script item after each system file that is being
installed. If a letter S is displayed, a file in use has been marked for
replacement on restart.

To suppress the reboot altogether, include a script item at the end of your
script:

  Script Item:   Set Variable
  Variable:      RESTART
  New Value:     (leave blank, this will set it to null)
  Operation:     Nothing

NOTE: If the system is restarted manually, the files in use will still be
replaced at that time.

Conversely, to force a system restart, you may set the RESTART variable to S.

Additional query words: prodsms boot reboot

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbsetup smsinst 
Technology        : kbSMSSearch kbSMSI100
Version           : WINDOWS:1.0
Issue type        : kbinfo

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.