SAP GUI 730 PL8 Installation Problems

Question

Hi all!
We are facing a problem with the following software product:
Information NwSapSetupAdmin.exe:
SAP GUI for Windows 7.30 (Compilation 3)
Component ID: 1460620d-c8bc-44c2-86ec-e632e0986b01
Version: 27625
Latest Patch Level: 8
SAP Automatic Workstation Update
Component ID: 40d11884-3906-4e67-8a96-91035ca09814
Version: 900.42
Latest Patch Level: 45 Version 9.0.45.0
Information SAP Logon:
Release: 730 Final Release
Dateiversion: 7300.3.8.1084
Build: 1478436
Patch-Level: 8
Within the SAP GUI Installation (NwSapSetup.log) the following error occurs:
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1   Executing script action...
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1   Script-action: Checking reboot condition.
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1   Script-action: NwEngine.Context.Reboot = 1
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1E  Microsoft VBScript runtime error: Error message: Unknown error 0x800A01B6. Error code 0x800a01b6.
                         Object doesn't support this property or method: 'NwEngine.Context.Args' (Line 4, Col. 5)
                         The setup script contains the error listed above. Please contact your system administrator and provide this information, for example by sending him a screenshot of this message box (Press Alt+PrtScrn to create the screenshot and copy it to the clipboard).
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1E  Failed to run script:
                              ----+----1----+----2----+----3----+----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----+----8
                           1: NwEngine.Context.Log.Write "Script-action: Checking reboot condition."
                           2:             NwEngine.Context.Log.Write "Script-action: NwEngine.Context.Reboot = " & NwEngine.Context.Reboot
                           3:             If NwEngine.Context.Reboot = 1 Then
                           4:                 If NwEngine.Context.Args("SuppressReboot") <> "" Then
                           5:                     NwEngine.Context.Reboot = 0    'Setting Flag for no Reboot
                           6:                     NwEngine.Context.Log.WriteWarning "Script-action: Reboot suppressed by the user. NwEngine.Context.Reboot = " & NwEngine.Context.Reboot
                           7:                 ElseIf NwEngine.Context.Args("DelayReboot") <> "" Then
                           8:                     NwEngine.Context.Reboot = 1    'Setting Flag for delayed Reboot
                           9:                     NwEngine.Context.Log.WriteWarning "Script-action: Reboot delayed by the user. NwEngine.Context.Reboot = " & NwEngine.Context.Reboot
                          10:                 Else
                          11:                     NwEngine.Context.Reboot = 2    'Setting Flag for immediate Reboot
                          12:                     NwEngine.Context.Log.Write "Script-action: Enforce immediate reboot."
                          13:                 End If
                          14:             End If
                              ----+----1----+----2----+----3----+----4----+----5----+----6----+----7----+----8
                         Error message: Unknown error 0x80020101. Error code 0x80020101.
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1E  Failed to parse script. Error message: Unknown error 0x80020101. Error code 0x80020101.
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1E  While processing Component '$MS System Files' with Id '{F270A214-3AD3-4235-9C74-F4D323B54976}' 1 error(s) have been registered.
16:25:13 NwSapsAtlC  1   CompAct.:Installed Component '$MS System Files' with Id '{F270A214-3AD3-4235-9C74-F4D323B54976}'
With this the NwSapSetup.log ends with:
16:26:23 NwSapSetup 1 Return-Code: 145
In the next logical step within our environment a uninstallation of the SAP GUI gets started:
   Commandline:  
'"C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP\SapSetup\Setup\NWSapSetup.exe"  /Silent /Uninstall /Package=PEACY'
This operation gets done with:
12:35:47 NwSapSetup 1 Return-Code: 0
After that the installation of the SAP GUI gets started again with:
   Commandline:        '"C:\peacy.sys\source\SAPGUI730PL8\source\setup\NwSapSetup.exe"  /noDLG /norestart /Package=PEACY'
Now the Installation gets done with:
12:52:12 NwSapSetup 1 Return-Code: 0
Every first installation of SAP GUI 7.30 PL8 is affected. This is a cross-platform issue (Windows 7 and Windows 8.1). If there was our older package version (SAP GUI 7.30 PL4) installed, the installation of SAP GUI 7.30 PL8 gets done without problems.
Every new client with the SAP GUI 7.30 PL8 assigned or the re-installation of it, and every first installation of the package on a client without SAP GUI leads to the mentioned issue - package gets installed with the mentioned error, afterwards the uninstallation gets started by our environment and finally the installation gets done with the second try. This is not a practicable method for our support staff.
Are there any hints how to resolve this issue. (A upgrade to the newest patch level of SAP GUI is not a practicable solution)
Thanks in advance!
Best regards
Christian

Answer 1

Hello Christian,
For older releases of the SAP GUI client a good approach is to create package for uninstalling old SAP GUI.  Depending on the state of the old SAP GUI's you're upgrading those may not be "clean" enough to warrant upgrading in place.
The older GUI's have component's no longer provided with the newer releases so most recommendations are to uninstall completely an do a fresh installation.
I credit Matt Fraser for this information and suggest reading his documentation.  The last 4 articles are germane to you're situation.  I hope this helps you.
http://scn.sap.com/thread/3620515
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-55477
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-55574
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-55575
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-55633
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-55634
http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-55674
Cheers,
Dan Mead