GPSI problem with Office 2007

[PreviousPoster]

I am having a problem with Group Policy using Windows Server 2003. I set up a policy that would install Microsoft Office 2007 on all Authenticated users, and domain computers (around 80). All machine are exactly the same and run Windows XP SP2.

The issue I am having is I have a handful of machines (roughly 5-7) that won't take the image install. They are connected to the network and I am able to hit the Domain Controllers and also access the Internet.

There is plenty of free space on the machines, and the event log shows no activity regarding the Microsoft Office 2007. The strange thing is I have used this Group Policy to push out Flash, Adobe Reader, and many other programs. This is the first time that I have had this problem.

Also, the machines that are currently having this problem have received installs like this before. So I am pretty sure it isn't my Policy.

Normally it installs as soon as the user turns on the computer automatically. Before the person presses CTRL+ALT+DEL it would install.

With these problem machines they flash right to the CTRL+ALT+DEL screen and allow the user to login without first installing the program.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to check? The thing that I find weird is it installed it no problem for about 75 machines but skipped over 5. Thanks for your time.

First, check the event logs.

Next, turn on MSI logging.

Third.. pat yourself on the back for getting Office 2007 to install using GPSI at all. It usually doesn't.

[PreviousPoster]

First, check the event logs.

Next, turn on MSI logging.

Third.. pat yourself on the back for getting Office 2007 to install using GPSI at all. It usually doesn't.

I concur. Didn't Microsoft release some documents very early on saying that Office 2007 actually supported deployment by Group Policy, then after about two weeks of Office2k7 being released these documents were pulled? I recall there were references all over the MS site to a specific document which when you clicked on the link pointed to a page that no longer existed. Then another article emerged a week later saying something like "deployment of Office 2007 is recommended using Systems Management Center" or somesuch... It was all rather fishy.

All I remember is that there was a curious lack of official support for Group Policy installation of the product - and yes, my experience was that it worked sometimes but not others. A colleague of mine did find a fix to make the deployment more reliable, but I forget.

[edit: oops, just saw this thread.]