custom setup prog?

[FMillion]

I want to make a custom setup program. Here is what I need to know how to do:

1. How can I embed file(s) into the EXE program (i want a single EXE distributable app.) and then extract those files by copying their data to a new file? (I assume this can be done with resource files, but not sure how it's done.) I don't need to compress the files.

2. How do I register/unregister OCXs through code?

3. How do I make one of those percent bars that displays the percent in the middle of a bar? (without buying an OCX for it and having to register it on the end user's machine before running the installation)

4. How do I make start menu/desktop shortcuts based on where the user chose to install the app?

5. How do I display the directory select box that many installers use without using an OCX?

6. How do I add/remove items from the Add/Remove Programs control panel applet?

I think some of these can be accomplished by API calls, but not sure.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you!

[Edited by FMillion on 08-20-2000 at 03:19 AM]

[parksie]

1. Just append them to the exe, and set a length parameter.
2. Use LoadLibrary, and attempt to call DllRegisterServer (I have an example of this...I'll post it soon).
3. I can send you source for a control.
4. Not sure
5. Use the DirectoryListBox control (comes with VB)
6. They're in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. Here's some registry code: http://www.parksie.uklinux.net/registry.zip

Hope these help.

[hypnos]

I know you want to create a setup yourself but if you change your mind there are many great setup apps at Download.com.

[parksie]

Also Inno Setup - http://www.jrsoftware.org

Why not make your own by customizing the Setup1.vbp project.

[parksie]

I tried that before. It is useful if you can't get anything else, although the problem is that it's tricky to get it into one .exe file.

And also, if someone doesn't have the dlls, than the Setup program won't work. The best way to make a Setup Program is through C++. It doesn't require any runtime files like VB.

If you have a good understanding of VB, you should be able to make a fairly good setup packager. I believe there's an article about it on this site too.

[Dax]

Many of your answers will be soon answered in the second edition of my setup article.

Check out http://www.vb-world.net/misc/customsetup/

and wait a coupla days before the second part.

cool

[hypnos]

Look forward to it Dax!

[Dax]

Ok

Before I write another article, I want ot hear from you guys, what do you want in a custom setup?

How about a self-extracting EXE one?
Or with 100% NEt support
Or more...

mail me your ideas at [email protected]

or get on Yahoo Messenger and Instant Message me

Your one and only Setup Guru - Dax

[parksie]

Something that will build .msi files...

[Dax]

MSI Files are very complex and Microsoft is not gonna let us create them for quite a while. But keep those other suggestions coming. Also, look out for the cool "FUNCTION BANK" in Part 2. IT has hundreds of lines of cool free code!!

[parksie]

Well, for sensible suggestions:

1. Single executable setups
2. Internet download of large programs (you download a small program, choose the components, and they are downloaded and installed)
3. Custom dialogues in the setup wizard
4. 'Silent' batch setups
5. Register controls, fonts, type libraries

[hypnos]

I would also like to see how to create single exe setups. I have always wondered how they work.

[Dax]

Of course the setup will feature a single executable, but it will be a bit big in size. But I'll try to do something about it.

Here's some inside information on the new article:
It will teach editing of setup.lst files, it will feature hndreds of lines of free cut & Paste code library. Also, creating Net shortcuts like the favorites, silent sub-installers like runtimes etc. USe of OCX in setup without havingto install them on the user's system first!! encrption/decryption with RC4 Cipher, lots of custom dialogs! Easy registration of fonts, TLBs, DLLS, controls, etc. It will be runtime free!!!!!!!!!!! Internet download as suggested by parksie! Thank man

I'll inform you of more as I come up with it!

Thanks for the suggestions

[gwdash]

If you have SP4 then you have Visual Studio Installer. This can do all the requested things + more. It creates Windows Installer Packages though. If you would be willing to do that, that is definatly the way to go

[Dax]

There some things that can't be done in MSI files. The first thing is there are limited dialogs and the functionality is limited. In the custom B Setup, you can easily create whatever you want!

Also MSI Files need the MSI Runtimes to be installed first on the end-user's computer.

Also, customization is VERY limited. The new customization article I'm writing now can do almost anything that installshield or wise can! Plus it has a lot of other features.

In my opinion, MSI sucks! VB Custom Setups rule!

Your Setup Guru - Dax

[parksie]

I think that you can create your own dialogues in the MSI file...at least, my copy of Orca mentions it.

[Dax]

We can add predefined forms but we can't create new ones from scratch. At least to my knowledge.

But the MSI files require that 3MB Files to be installed first Thats too big for 1 MB Apps.

[parksie]

I thought that the engine was only 1.4 megs?

[Dax]

Oh, sorry. I didn't remember that. Anyway, the point still stands. With the runtimes, my app could go from 1mb exe to 3mb with runtimes plus the user needs to download 1.4 mb more.

[Dax]

If it is a custom setup for suppose a game or something, you can use Text-To-Speech in it. I've made 3 setups like that for some multimedia presentations for some of my clients.

No one can shake me from VB Custom Setups Hahahahaha

[parksie]

T2S in a setup program? Coolness...

[Dax]

Just think of the ULTIMATE VB Installation maker. My company, Extreme TechnoVision, is creating that. Its called Visual Distribution Studio 2000 and I'm the lead programmer/project co-ordinator. It has many different packages like Secured E-Mailable Setups (for registration patches), DLL/ActiveX Component Installer, Multimedia Installers with full support for AVI, WAV, MP3, MID, Mods, T2S, Internet Enabled setups with 100% Web Integrations. Plus the studio comes with a SelfExtracting EXE creator, packagins solutions, billboard designer, splash designer and lots of more junk. More info will be up on my site soon. What's more, we're gonna release a lot of it as Freeware for single person *COMMERCIAL* use!! Companies can't use it but single programmers can!!Also, it features the XCREECH(tm) MultiPass CODEC for high security. Its a single file distribution and with lots lots lots lots lots of features. You can even customize it by writing VB COde in it! Unlike InstallShield where you have to learn a whole new language!! Its runtime free, of course , and it has compression/speed control!!

could a one person Business use it??

because I am thinking of starting a business.. Since I am young, and dont have solid back-up money, I cant hire people(incase I dont make money, and no money = no pay, and nopay = some pissed off employees)

so would it be ok to do that?

[Dax]

Sure, dennis

It's a single user pack, no matter where its used. How old are you? I'm 17.

13

[LAURENS]

Dax,

What's wrong with your website ? Lot's of dead links and on the 'alive' ones there's nothing worth mentioning. Still under construction ???? ...or is our firewall behaving badly.

[Dax]

My site's server crashed a few minutes ago. It will be up tommorrow. Sorry for the inconvienenimnnce

[Dax]

How about this: a setup packager utility which can be customized by coding and not in a new langauge, unlike InstallShield, but in Visual Basic!!!!!! How would you guys like that? Tell me...

Dax
Setup Guru

[parksie]

That would be nice...

that would be cool!

[RCharlton]

on their system, you can make your own setup.exe in VB. Add all the outside ocx's etc. to a resource file as custom data.

In Sub_Main() you could have

Dim fnames(3) As String
 
        fnames(0) = "comdlg32.ocx"
        fnames(1) = "comdlg32oh.ocx"
        fnames(2) = "comdlg3df2.ocx"
        fnames(3) = "comdlg3adf2.ocx"
 
        Dim buffer() As Byte
        For i = 0 To UBound(fnames)
        buffer = LoadResData(101 + i, "CUSTOM")
        Open fnames(i) For Binary As #1
            Put #1, 1, buffer
        Close #1