Simple little question

**Arie** · Jan 25th, 2004, 02:48 AM

Hello..

I made a program in windows XP with Visual Basic 6.0.
I copied the program to my friend. He has also windows XP.
But, He doesn't have Visual Basic on his comp.
I gave him the program itself and VBRun60sp5.exe, so he could run the program.
For some reason it doesn't work! It says something about comdlg32.dll...

Please help..
Arie.

P.S.
We both use the same Windows XP Pro.

**Priore** · Jan 25th, 2004, 03:16 AM

Generally speaking,
You cannot distribute a compiled VB6 program without some sort of installation mechanism (such as an install utility).
In your case, when you installed VB on your computer, as part of the installation you received certain dll's that contain the controls you can add to your forms during development.
When you gave the program to your friend, he does not have the same dll's on his computer. And, even if you supply the dll's, they would have to be registered on the computer (or placed in a specific directory). You can check your project references to see which dll's are used by your exe.

BTW, VB.Net does not have this problem. If you and your friend have the .Net Framework on your computers, and you compile the program in VB.Net, then you can just place the exe file anywhere on your friends computer and it will run (I think this is reffered to as "Xcopy Deployment").

**Arie** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:21 AM

Thank you..
I'll check it out..

Arie.

**usamaalam** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:27 AM

You can make your installation package by Package and Deployment Wizard which is installed with Visual Basic. There are other softwares available as well such as InnoSetup (free) and Setup Factory etc.

**Arie** · Jan 25th, 2004, 03:53 PM

So you say, if I include all the nessecary files into the setup package, and the
setup will register them to the system, it should work fine?

Now, what about if I programmed the program in Win XP and I want it to
work on Win 98... What should I do?

Arie.

**opus** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:03 PM

It should work on Win98 as well ("should" because I work on Win98).

**TheVader** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:05 PM

Yes, it should. And it doesn't matter on which operating system you write a program. The only thing that matters is that you provide the client PC with all necessary files. That is, your EXE file and all of its dependencies (the ones the installers take care of). Visual Basic files work on every Windows version with the dependencies installed.

**endusto** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:18 PM

what if it's on a crappy old mac?

**randem** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:31 PM

Arie

It is not as easy as it sounds (if you want to do it correctly). There are things to take into account like distruting system files (should not be done, usually) etc...

To start yo off on the correct path read this first: http://www.***********/support.html

Sure there are shortcuts, but do yourself a favor and ignore the shortcuts. In the long run you will be better off.

You also can use ********** with Inno Setup for a better Inno Setup fit.

**Arie** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:32 PM

I need it to work on 98,2K,Me and XP...

I'll try it out...
Ok.. Thank you guys for the help.

Arie.

**Kasracer** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:35 PM

You don't need to make an installer. You simply need to give the person the VB6 runtimes. You can find an installer for those, which works like .NET framework where it will install and register the needed items on the system and then your app will work from any folder or you can just leave all the files in the same directory as your program.

Originally posted by endusto
what if it's on a crappy old mac?

Are you joking?

**randem** · Jan 25th, 2004, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by kasracer
You don't need to make an installer. You simply need to give the person the VB6 runtimes. You can find an installer for those, which works like .NET framework where it will install and register the needed items on the system and then your app will work from any folder or you can just leave all the files in the same directory as your program.
Are you joking?

Are You JOKING???

**Kasracer** · Jan 25th, 2004, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by randem
Are You JOKING???

No, I did it frequently when I used to use VB6.

**randem** · Jan 25th, 2004, 05:08 PM

kasracer

I run my car on empty frequently... Are you saying that how a car should be operated???

Just because on occasion you get away with something does not mean that's the way it should be done.

**Kasracer** · Jan 25th, 2004, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by randem
kasracer

I run my car on empty frequently... Are you saying that how a car should be operated???

If you run your car on empty, then it doesn't run at all therefore you don't run the car at all.

I have no idea what you're getting at, what I said is true.

**randem** · Jan 25th, 2004, 05:12 PM

kasracer

On very simple projects you can get away with it. Try this:

Make a project with some VB refrences in them and just copy your exe and install the runtime files on a computer that never had any VB apps installed on it. Your app will fail terribly.

**Kasracer** · Jan 25th, 2004, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by randem
kasracer

On very simple projects you can get away with it. Try this:

Make a project with some VB refrences in them and just copy your exe and install the runtime files on a computer that never had any VB apps installed on it. Your app will fail terribly.

What are you talking about? If you only use the runtimes and you install them, the application runs perfectly fine. If you referenced some other controls and such, you obviously need to copy those into the executable's folder.

**randem** · Jan 25th, 2004, 07:48 PM

kasracer

Well, you keep doing that. I that kind of thinking that keeps me making a living. Thanks.

**Kasracer** · Jan 25th, 2004, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by randem
kasracer

Well, you keep doing that. I that kind of thinking that keeps me making a living. Thanks.

Uh? So because you don't know how to run an application without an installer, I am helping to make you a living?

Right.....

**Arie** · Jan 26th, 2004, 02:36 AM

Guys, guys.. chill out..

I think the best way is to prepare a well constructed installation program, and It should work fine on 98 to XP, right?

Arie.

**randem** · Jan 26th, 2004, 02:56 AM

Arie

Yes, but it takes more than just copying files. Such as there are different JET engines for different OS's each one with the same name. So you cannot just copy the same files to every OS... or e even in the same folder.

**Arie** · Jan 26th, 2004, 03:58 AM

I think that my programs are not using special out expected libraries...
I use the normal VB controls and the Common Dialog 6.0...
That's all..

Arie.

**randem** · Jan 26th, 2004, 04:13 AM

Arie

Installation problems are our specialty. Try using ********** with Inno Setup (both are free). You can use PDW that comes with VB also. ********** will get let you know all the files you need to include in your installation.

It does not matter how little or how much you have in your project. You still need to get it installed properly for it to work properly on all OS's.

Did you read this: http://www.***********/support.html

You can download ********** from: http://www.**********.com/**********.html

You can download Inno Setup from: http://www.jrsoftware.org

**Arie** · Jan 26th, 2004, 05:29 AM

I read and downloaded this great programs InnoSetup and **********...
I compiled a setup, later I'll check it on my friend's computer..
I let you know the results...

Arie.

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