HP Image Assistant 5.3.1 Always returns 257 even when installing updates that require a reboot.

[Ayudememe]

I am currently using HP Image Assistant to do silent SoftPaq installs from a custom repository. I'm expecting a 3010 return code if one of SP installs require a reboot. In testing I can see that this is what is returned from an individual SP install, but HP image assistant finishes with saving the recommendations file and then returns a 257, which is not accurate, as a reboot is required.

I've tried many different command lines to see if I could fix the issues, but to no success. Here is essentially what I'm running: HPImageAssistant.exe /Operation:Analyze /Action:Install /Offlinemode:"<Path to Custom Repository Folder built using HPCMSL>" /NonInteractive /Silent /Debug /Category:All /Selection:All /LogFolder:"<Path to Log Dir>"

[Hawks_Eye]

@Ayudememe,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

The issue you're encountering with HP Image Assistant (HPIA) 5.3.1 always returning 257 instead of the expected 3010 when a reboot is required may be due to how HPIA processes and aggregates SoftPaq installation return codes.
 

HPIA Overwrites SoftPaq Return Codes:

• HPIA does not directly relay the return codes of individual SoftPaqs but rather provides its own aggregated return code.
• This means even if a SoftPaq installer returns 3010 (Reboot Required), HPIA itself might not propagate this correctly.

Return Code 257 Interpretation:

• Return code 257 in HPIA typically means "SoftPaq installations completed successfully, but some updates may require a reboot."
• It does not directly translate to 3010, but it suggests that a reboot is needed.

Silent Installation Behavior:

• The /Silent and /NonInteractive flags might suppress the expected return code behavior.
• Some SoftPaqs may return 3010 when run individually but not when installed through HPIA.

Solutions:

Parse the Recommendations File Instead

Since HPIA logs reboot requirements in its recommendations XML file, you can check that file for a pending reboot flag.

• The XML file should be located in the LogFolder path you specified.
• Look for RebootRequired="true" in the XML output.
• You can script a parser to check this flag and handle reboots accordingly.

Use SoftPaq Installer Directly

If you need 3010 specifically for automation, consider:

• Running HPIA with /Operation:Analyze to generate the recommended updates list.
• Using HP Client Management Script Library (HPCMSL) to install updates individually.
• This will ensure each SoftPaq returns its own exit code.

$SoftPaqs = Get-HPSoftpaqList -Action:Install -Category:All -Path "<Path to Custom Repository>" foreach ($SoftPaq in $SoftPaqs) {    Start-HPSoftpaqInstall -SoftpaqNumber $SoftPaq.Number    if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 3010) {        Write-Host "Reboot required for SoftPaq $($SoftPaq.Number)"    } }

[Hawks_Eye]

Try Running Without /Silent to Debug

To verify if suppression is causing the issue:

• Run the command without /Silent and check if the behavior changes.

Manually Trigger a Reboot If 257 is Returned

Since 257 implies that some updates may need a reboot, you can treat it as a reboot-required return code.

Example (PowerShell):

$HPIA_ExitCode = Start-Process -FilePath "HPImageAssistant.exe" -ArgumentList "/Operation:Analyze /Action:Install ..." -Wait -PassThru if ($HPIA_ExitCode.ExitCode -eq 257) {    Write-Host "Reboot required."    Restart-Computer -Force }

Note:

• 257 means some updates require a reboot but does not translate directly to 3010.
• Check the recommendations file for RebootRequired="true".
• Run individual SoftPaqs via HPCMSL if you need their actual exit codes.
• Consider handling 257 as a reboot-required scenario in automation scripts.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Hawks_Eye

HP Support