Multi-App Installer

[IanRoberts]

I have made a few apps and am looking to produce a setup file which will install all of them under one folder, but without having to have a central application which links them all together. I also have some OCX files which may be required.
Package and Deploy would work fine for one app, but I'm not sure how to make this more complex, and also include a resources folder.

All three applcations are written in Visual Basic, and have a few folders that are referenced in the code as app.path & "\resources" or other folder names. How would I build an installer that would create a folder in Program Files on the user's computer, for instance called "MyFolder" and inside that place the resource folders required and their conents, as well as including the three executables. Then a new shortcut folder should be made in the Start-->All Programs, with short-cuts to the three apps in there.

Ideally, I'd like the user to be able to select which of the three apps they install (e.g. a tickbox system so they can have all or 1 or 2.)

I'm sorry if this is a bit waffly, and I may be trying to make something too complex. I remember making an installer previously using another piece of software exc. package and deploy but I acn't remember exactly what and how. I've scoured the forums and found references to many apps, e.g. Inno that will make installers, but does anyone know of any that can do what I need (preferably freeware). Also, can package and deploy be tweaked to do what i need?

Thanks!

[gavio]

Get Inno, or Nullsoft Setup. They are both free and quite useful.

[IanRoberts]

Are they easy to use?
I've looked at Inno, but it seems that everything needs to be set up by Pascal coding, which although similar to VB6, I know very little of other than that := is an assignment statement, as opposed to =.

Thanks again

[gavio]

I think that Inno Setup also provides some written scripts, which covers most common setup "needs".

[IanRoberts]

I'll give it a go thanks.

[IanRoberts]

Is there a tutorial or FAQ on this please? I remember seeing something like one but can't find it in the FAQ section. It's got me a bit baffled

[Al42]

Look for any post by Randem, then look in his sig. He has a web site full of packaging information, including Inno.

[BrailleSchool]

inno isnt free anymore, its now a commercial product with a trial period

[Al42]

From the Inno website: "Inno Setup is a free installer for Windows programs." (Their italics.)

[gavio]

And not only that, it's also open-coded, so you can get it's source code

[randem]

inno isnt free anymore, its now a commercial product with a trial period

That would be ********** not Inno Setup. Inno Setup is still free...

[randem]

Look for any post by Randem, then look in his sig. He has a web site full of packaging information, including Inno.

I was told to to take all the links to my website out. Good information is hard to find. It's just been made harder

[IanRoberts]

Oh, thanks for posting anyway Randem, saves me a search :P

I'll check out some of the links in your sig, but I'd still like to see your website if it contains useufl information (you can PM me if posting links is against the rules.)

Also, being an Installation Specialist waht would you recommend as the best thing to use for my purpose?

Thanks

[IanRoberts]

Ok, got the website from your profile Thanks.

I've got Inno Setup and made the installer using the wizard. This added all 3 .exe applications and the folders containing required text files. However, I have not told it to register any ocx files, which are needed by my application. I am using a richtextbox, and therefore I think I need richtx32.ocx and possibly riched32.dll

How do I do this in Inno Setup please as I can't find an option for ocx files and don't know the code for it to manually add to the script.

Thanks

EDIT: How do I check what I need to include? I just ran package and deploy wizard built-in to VB6 and it listed the following files that would be included:
VB6STKit.DLL
VB6 Runtime and OLE automation
comdlg32.ocx
msword.olb (I think this may be from earlier test and no longer needed and will check included components) EDIT2: Now removed
riched32.dll
richtx32.ocx
and well as some setup and my exe files.

[randem]

You did not completely read everything. You used Inno Setup by itself. It will not accomplish alone all you need.

[IanRoberts]

Oh, I got your PM btw - thanks.

I got confused as I thought ********** was not free, so effetively I can't do it for free. However, I'll try the 3-day trial (3 days is not very generous!!!) and see how it goes.

Thanks

[randem]

Oh, I got your PM btw - thanks.

I got confused as I thought ********** was not free, so effetively I can't do it for free. However, I'll try the 3-day trial (3 days is not very generous!!!) and see how it goes.

Thanks

Not very generous... It can do in a few minutes what some have spent weeks attempting... and It would still be free if people were generous... For some reason people want all their software free so that they can make software to charge others for... The whole idea is beyond me. One should always give back to the sources that got them where they needed to go... But that's just me

[IanRoberts]

I agree with your idea. My software is not paid anyway so it's ok.

Got it working now - Thanks for the great trial tool. I'll try to learn Pascal now for more specific installer coding.

Thanks

[randem]

Great!!! Every now and again I must digress and rant... Glad you got it working.

[kregg]

Please set the thread as Resolved if your questions have been answered.

Go to Thread Tools> Set Thread Resolved to set thread as resolved.

And also give people that helped you with your answer repuation.

[IanRoberts]

Thanks, I usually do but forgot - positive feedback left too