Installing .NET Framework 3.5 for Raptor Visitor Management Hardware and Software

Problem:

When installing and configuring software and drivers for the DYMO Label Printer and ID Scanner used for creating visitor badges in Raptor, the installation packages fail. When the installers attempt to install .NET 3.5, they must download the package files from Windows Update. As our Windows computers are configured by Group Policy to not use Windows Update, the installers cannot continue, causing error: 0x800F0954 (this error code can change but the result is the same). This occurs when using the Install All Components download option, or the DYMO Printer Drivers option from the Advanced Installation Options menu, under Support.

As a workaround, .NET 3.5 can be installed using the Windows Features app in the Control Panel, however this causes a similar error and fails, as this feature must also use Windows Update servers to download the full package. To fix this issue, we need to disable the policy temporarily so we can use this feature.

Cause:

All Windows computers registered with our Active Directory are blocked from using the online Windows Update service by Group Policy, as we utilize an internal server to download and distribute the updates (Windows Server Update Services or WSUS). Certain features, such as .NET 3.5, cannot be pushed out through WSUS.

Resolution:

To get around the block, we must change a setting in the Registry to allow the computer to check the online update service.

Log on to the system using a Local or Domain administrator account.
Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
Change the value of the UseWUServer entry from 1 to 0.
Close Registry Editor and restart the computer.
Once the computer restarts, log in again as an administrator.
Navigate to the Control Panel, and click on Programs.
Click on Turn Windows features on or off.
The first option in the list is .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0). Select the checkbox next to that option and click OK.
.NET will begin to install, and the download will proceed without the error message.
Once completed, you can close the Windows Features app and Control Panel, then restart the computer once more. This will ensure a clean install for the drivers and will prompt Active Directory for a Group Policy update. The update will overwrite the setting we changed in Step 4, and reset Windows Update.
Install the Raptor file for the printer and scanner drivers, and you will be able to proceed without error.
- The installation file for the scanner and label printer is located in X:\Technology-Files\RaptorTechnologies\Raptor Install Files, DLS8Setup.8.5.3.exe