[RESOLVED] Shortcut to UNC path file in installer...?

I have help and version documentation (in the form of web pages) that are located on a server share (\\server\share\index.html)

I want to have my installation package install a shorcut to the HTML file in the user's program files folder.

I've created shortcuts to the HTML file and tried adding those to the package, but the HTML file itself gets added! I've tried several different methods - none of them worked properly. I just want the shortcuts to the HTML file added... what am I doing wrong?

BTW, I've searched the forums to no avail...

Thanks in advance!

Tom Stock
VS.net 2003

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Originally Posted by tkstock

I have help and version documentation (in the form of web pages) that are located on a server share (\\server\share\index.html)

I want to have my installation package install a shorcut to the HTML file in the user's program files folder.

I've created shortcuts to the HTML file and tried adding those to the package, but the HTML file itself gets added! I've tried several different methods - none of them worked properly. I just want the shortcuts to the HTML file added... what am I doing wrong?

BTW, I've searched the forums to no avail...

Thanks in advance!

Tom Stock
VS.net 2003

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Hi Tom,

I've been searching in MSDN for, How to add your Shortcut to the package.

But however I found a link how you can add your Shortcut via code and than

yous Shortcut will automaticly added into the package.

Here is the link:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...cxshortcut.asp

Hope it helps,

sparrow1

create a .lnk for your file i supose then add this to your package.. /gg

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Originally Posted by iehjsucker

create a .lnk for your file i supose then add this to your package.. /gg

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I tried this already - instead of adding the .lnk file, it adds the file it points to!

Tom

sparrow1,

That link didn't help me - sorry. There is no code in my project - I am creating an MSI simply to install a local copy of an Access Database with shortcuts to the HTML documentation which is located on the server.

what installer are you using?

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Originally Posted by kleinma

what installer are you using?

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The standard Setup Project .Net installer that comes with VS.net

.net 2003?, sorry for the questions, but depending on what version it is can change the answer that will work for you...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kleinma

.net 2003?, sorry for the questions, but depending on what version it is can change the answer that will work for you...

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Yes - VS.NET 2003

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tkstock

sparrow1,

That link didn't help me - sorry. There is no code in my project - I am creating an MSI simply to install a local copy of an Access Database with shortcuts to the HTML documentation which is located on the server.

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Hi Tom,

It was just a try to help you and was still searching for a better solution.

I found now another link to create a Shortcut.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de..._shortcuts.asp

I hope it's a better one.

sparrow1

yeah I looked through the installer and i dont see any way to add a shortcut in the fashion you are trying to.

I won't say its not possible, but I didn't see a way to do it. That installer is somewhat limited (although it has improved in 2005). I personally use INNO because its pretty much fully customizable.

You may want to at least consider using INNO for your install, or perhaps try what sparrow has said, and create the shortcut via code instead of via installer.

Please forgive my naivete, but what is INNO? Where can I get it?

INNO is an installer program that installs applications of any type (not just .NET)

it does take a little more work on your end, but like I said it can do everything and anything you would want in an installer. It is also 100% free


here is the official website
http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php

here is a link to some really cool howto articles for various installation tasks
http://www13.brinkster.com/vincenzog/articles.asp?ps=60

you may also want to visit the application deployment section of vbforums, as you may find useful information there.

I just installed INNO, and it does the SAME THING! When I attempt to add the shorcut (User Documentation.lnk), it adds Index.html instead!!! Dang it!!!! Is there no hope???? :confused: :eek2:

you are probably using the wizard to make the setup, post the actual source of the .iss file and I will see if I can pinpoint what you need to modify to make it work

I never did go through the entire process to see the script file that was created. It was easy to modify the script file to get it working.

Tell me, is there a way to specify a particular icon for the desktop and program file shortcuts?

Thanks so much for your help!

yeah you should just be able to specify the icon you want to use in the icons section using the IconFileName attribute:

Example
[icons]
Name: "{group}\My Program Name"; Filename: {app}\MyProgram.exe; WorkingDir: {app}; IconFilename: {app}\someicon.ico

Thanks so much for your help!!! I like INNO!

glad to hear you are liking it..

here is a thread where i provided someone a sample script that includes installing the framework and setting permissions to work right if the app is installed to a network drive

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=360427