Patent ID: 7496913

Claim:
A computer implemented method in a data processing system for monitoring silent installation of a subordinate program during installation of an associated primary target program, the computer implemented method comprising: gathering a list of a plurality of activities performed during the silent installation of the subordinate program, wherein the plurality of activities comprises installation of a file, partial installation of the file, adding an element to an operating system registry, defining the element with regard to an operating system environmental setting, adding the element to a user interface, and production of a log message; beginning the silent installation of the subordinate program; monitoring the silent installation of the subordinate program, wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring the plurality of activities performed during the silent installation of the subordinate program, wherein activities of the plurality of activities that are performed simultaneously are monitored simultaneously, and wherein activities of the plurality of activities that are performed sequentially are monitored sequentially; displaying a status report of the silent installation of the subordinate program, wherein displaying the status report of the silent installation of the subordinate program comprises updating the displayed status report of the silent installation of the subordinate program as each of the plurality of activities is performed, wherein the steps of monitoring and updating are performed independently of an installation program associated with the subordinate program, and wherein updating the displayed status report of the silent installation of the subordinate program as each of the plurality of activities is performed comprises: displaying a progress bar for each activity of the plurality of activities; and updating the progress bar for each activity of the plurality of activities as each activity is performed, wherein the progress bar for each activity is updated as each activity is started, as each activity proceeds, and as each activity is completed; completing the silent installation of the subordinate program; responsive to completing the silent installation of the subordinate program, determining whether there is a further subordinate program to be installed; responsive to determining that there is not a further subordinate program to be installed, installing the primary target program; determining errors that occur during silent installation of the subordinate program and during installing of the primary target program; consolidating the determined errors into a consolidated error log; and displaying the consolidated errors to a user.