Schedule Task / Web Updates

[Obliterator]

I'm using the Schedule Task in a modified version of your web updates script (to setup the schedule during installation rather than upon restart).

I think I've found a small problem with the Schedule Task function. It doesn't seem to create the task if the setup is in 64-bit mode (I'm using IA9 R2 SP3).
As a workaround, switching to 32-bit mode before calling Schedule Task ensures the task is created properly.
I thought I'd bring the issue to your attention as it took me some time to diagnose the problem and others may encounter the same issue.

Is there anyway to set the other parameters relating to tasks? Specifically the 'Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed' option.
My current understanding is the pc must be running (and user logged in for non-silent updates) at the scheduled time for the update check to happen.
Given the default setting of Sun 3am I think thats unlikely the pc will be running at that time very often, so being able to configure the task to run at the next available opportunity would really improve the web updates feature.
I realise this option is only availble in Vista/7 (in fact you have to configure the task for this type to enable the option) - but it would be great to utilise it where available.

Another useful option would be to enable the 'Delay Task for up to (random delay) xx minutes' feature. This would avoid multiple clients hitting our server at precisely the same time.

BTW: Is there any reason why you choose to configure the updaet schedule after a restart rather than directly during the setup process itself?
Am I falling into some huge bear trap that I've not considered by doing this?

Once again, keep up the good work. I can't stress how nice it is to build installations using IA - before IA it was something I dreaded!

[mills]

Thank you for your kind words and input.

All of your task scheduling feature requests should be doable. If you don't want to wait for us to implement these features, you should be able to implement them with a dll or plugin of your own design, using the task manager API. Nevertheless, I've notified our product managers of your request for their consideration.

I'm not sure why the update task isn't generated until the next logon, but I'll see if I can find out.

[Obliterator]

Excellent.

I considered making a simple DLL call to the task scheduler myself but it looked far from straightforward.
The APIs I found were COM based or required various structures which I couldn't produce within IA.
I think it would have to be as a completely separate plug-in DLL as you suggest but hopefully you guys can provide a better integrated solution

BTW I think the Delete Scheduled Task function suffers a similar problem in 64-bit mode also.

[mills]

It seemed relatively straight-forward. Check the msdn, especially the page on Using the Task Scheduler.

[Obliterator]

Thanks, there looks to be some detailed examples there.
I might try to roll my own solution if it becomes urgent.

[mills]

You shouldn't have any problem if you set it up for the user to configure their updates during the install; the script was just written to prompt on the next logon.

[Obliterator]

Great, thanks for the extra confirmation - it puts my mind at ease I wasn't missing something obvious.
The scheduling during install looks to be working well for me so far.