[05] .NET Framework on USB? [ASAP PLEASE]

[epixelman]

Can I put the CLR (.NET Framework) on a USB drive so I can run programs (EXE's) from the USB drive??

I may not be able to install the framework every where I go, so puting the framework on a USB gives me that freedom.

Thanks

[JXDOS]

no. that would not work. it has to be installed in a local drive. i think. why don't you test it out?

[Grimfort]

http://www.dabcc.com/article.aspx?id=3284

This company create a boot strapper round it.

[epixelman]

http://www.dabcc.com/article.aspx?id=3284

This company create a boot strapper round it.

That is cool...

BUT.... did you see the price tag on it?? $4000 plus!!!

Ouch!!!.... Is there a free way to do it?

[18experience]

I don't mean to be negative, but if someone is charging $4000 for something, it probably isn't easy to do. Of course, maybe it is really really easy and they are just pressing their luck.

[epixelman]

I don't mean to be negative, but if someone is charging $4000 for something, it probably isn't easy to do. Of course, maybe it is really really easy and they are just pressing their luck.

That is what I loved about VB6!!

You can just put your DLL's/OCX's on the USB and run your app.

Why doesn't Microsoft make a utility so we can run apps on USB or portable drives??

[Grimfort]

I think they called it C++ .

[JuggaloBrotha]

the vb6 runtime files comes with every microsoft OS since win98, starting with win2003 the .net framework comes installed on every OS, in time you will be able to put your app on a USB drive and simply run it on every computer without installing the .net framework, provided every computer is running win2003 or windows vista (or newer)

[kleinma]

the vb6 runtime files comes with every microsoft OS since win98, starting with win2003 the .net framework comes installed on every OS, in time you will be able to put your app on a USB drive and simply run it on every computer without installing the .net framework, provided every computer is running win2003 or windows vista (or newer)

I think it was actually windows 2000 that was the first OS to ship with VB6 runtimes. I could be wrong, but I was pretty sure of that.

However I do agree that .NET will move to a similar fashion since vista has all 4 current framework versions preinstalled.

The reason why the framework needs to be installed locally though, is simply because it is a middleware layer between the OS and your EXE. It writes registry entires, and copies files in the windows folder. Running the CLR from a USB key is just not an option at this point.

Depending on the specs of the apps you want to be able to work with anywhere, you may want to consider writing these apps in ASP.NET instead, so you can really access them from anywhere that has a web connection.

[Half]

hah, the video guy was conveniently speeding up a process that looks like taking 2 weeks only to end up with something that takes 5 minutes to start. I wonder how big was the original app. If it was working on say AIX, $ 5000+ would probably be closer to reality but having in mind that some great code obfuscators are also doing something close and the price starts from $ 400, these people are definitely pushing their luck.

[kleinma]

2 of their 3 points are well.. pointless

·Other applications require an earlier version of .NET
·Locked down desktops cannot be upgraded immediately
·Computers may need to have different versions of .NET installed concurrently

the only one that is valid is that a locked down desktop MAY not be able to be upgraded immediately. Different versions of the framework being on the same machine is obviously not an issue at all. I don't know why they are using these are a case to buy their product.

[epixelman]

2 of their 3 points are well.. pointless

·Other applications require an earlier version of .NET
·Locked down desktops cannot be upgraded immediately
·Computers may need to have different versions of .NET installed concurrently

the only one that is valid is that a locked down desktop MAY not be able to be upgraded immediately. Different versions of the framework being on the same machine is obviously not an issue at all. I don't know why they are using these are a case to buy their product.

Yes... and that is the issue I have run into.
I had a .NET 2.0 (VB 2005 EXP) that would not run (from a USB) on a PC that did not have the framework.

I tried to install the framework, but I didn't have admin rights to intsall it...

so... I couldn't run the app.

I wish there was a way of compliling all the framework dll's (or whatever) and putting them on my USB.

Until I can figure this out, I will have to downgrade some of apps to VB6 (unless of course somebody wants to give me $4500 for that Thinstall application)

[kleinma]

Well I guess Microsoft figures that 99.99% of the time, if you want to install something, like the .NET framework, you will either have admin rights, or you will be able to get admin rights for said install.

Otherwise you should not be able to do admin things.

[jmcilhinney]

If you don't have the privileges to install the .NET Framework then would you have the privileges to install the VB runtime files? I guess not so the situation is no different. The difference is that .NET is newer so not so many machines have the Framework already installed. With the advent of Vista all Windows systems will already have the Framework installed so you'll be able to do exactly what you're asking for. If this was several years ago you might be making the same complaint about VB6 and the fact that you couldn't run an app without installing the VB6 runtme files. You're bemoaning the current situation and reminiscing about an old situation that was no different.

[JuggaloBrotha]

I think it was actually windows 2000 that was the first OS to ship with VB6 runtimes. I could be wrong, but I was pretty sure of that.

i've ran my vb6 programs on clean installs of win98 second edition without installing the vb6 runtime files, which tells me that vb6 runtime files came with win98se first

i've never looked it up though

[epixelman]

If you don't have the privileges to install the .NET Framework then would you have the privileges to install the VB runtime files? I guess not so the situation is no different. The difference is that .NET is newer so not so many machines have the Framework already installed. With the advent of Vista all Windows systems will already have the Framework installed so you'll be able to do exactly what you're asking for. If this was several years ago you might be making the same complaint about VB6 and the fact that you couldn't run an app without installing the VB6 runtme files. You're bemoaning the current situation and reminiscing about an old situation that was no different.

Well... there is a difference.

What I am doing now is.... I develop my apps (VB & .NET) on my main PC. Of course I have admin rights.

After developing, I put my apps on my USB so I can be mobile from work station to workstation or from location to location.

Some PC's allow me to intsall framework 2.0 and some don't. So, I would have to go through all the trouble of calling the help desk to get this installed.

The difference is.... with VB 6 I can put all the runtimes on the USB. I can not do that with the framework (at least I haven't figured out how yet).

VB6 is much easier to make portable then .NET.

And that is a shame!!

[kleinma]

perhaps you should setup a remote desktop or similar type connection into your main workstation. That is what I do.

That way I don't have to bring anything with me, I can log into my PC from any windows workstation that has a net connection, and do anything I need to do on my work PC.

However what you say about the VB6 runtimes doesn't make sense... so what if you put them on the USB key? If you were actually at a machine that didn't have them already installed, you would need admin rights to do so.

[epixelman]

perhaps you should setup a remote desktop or similar type connection into your main workstation. That is what I do.

That way I don't have to bring anything with me, I can log into my PC from any windows workstation that has a net connection, and do anything I need to do on my work PC.

However what you say about the VB6 runtimes doesn't make sense... so what if you put them on the USB key? If you were actually at a machine that didn't have them already installed, you would need admin rights to do so.

Where i work they lock out XP remote connections. I could use VNC (or simular) with my workstation or home pc.

On my main pc, I have admin rights. So, I can put all the vb6 runtimes on the USB drive. I can already do that.

But, I really want .NET on my USB drive.

So, until I can get .NET on a usb drive, I think I can try to find a VNC that will run from my USB drive.

Know of any??



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