[RESOLVED] system files to include in deployment

[Trekker182]

How would I know which system files that a game that I made in VB 2008 Express would need to access a database I would want to be located in the same directory?

The reason I'm asking is because pretty much all of these MSI type install programs need to be told what to include in the install package.

I want to get everything into one setup file that I can install on a friend's computer to play my game that doesn't have VB express installed on it.

thanks

[gep13]

Hey,

Which database are you using?

Any dll's that are needed by your application should be added to the bin directory when you compile your application, so really it is anything that is in the bin directory that you need to include.

Which setup package are you using? Since you are using the Express Edition of VB, have you considered using ClickOnce Deployment, that way, if you make any updates to the program, your friend will be able to automatically install them once he runs the application.

Gary

[Pradeep1210]

How would I know which system files that a game that I made in VB 2008 Express would need to access a database I would want to be located in the same directory?

The reason I'm asking is because pretty much all of these MSI type install programs need to be told what to include in the install package.

I want to get everything into one setup file that I can install on a friend's computer to play my game that doesn't have VB express installed on it.

thanks

All you would need on your friends computer to get your application running are:
1. .NET framework (same or higher version than yours)
2. Your application EXE
3. Any custom dlls etc. you might be using for your applicaiton (usually located in bin directory)

[Trekker182]

I'm using an Access 2007 database.

I actually looked in my bin folder and found no .dll's there. Just Project2.exe.config, Project2.vshost.exe.config, Project2.pdb, Project2.vshost.exe.manifest, my database, my programs executable, Project2.vshost.exe and Project2.xml.

I was planning to use Symantec's Wise Install trial to do it, but what is this ClickOnce Deployment? I've never heard of it.

So when I ran the program on my friend's computer, the reason it tanked as soon as it tried to access the database in my program was because he didn't have the same .Net framework version as me? I don't have any custom dll files it turns out in my bin directory.

Thanks.

[gep13]

Hey,

It certinly sounds like it could be the .Net Framework version that could be causing the problem. can you confirm what is installed on your friens machine?

Also, ClickOnce ships with the Express Editions, and allows applixcations to be easily deployed, do a quick google and you will find lots of information.

Gary

[Trekker182]

Actually, its listing .Net 2.0 Service Pack 2, .Net 3.0 Service Pack 2 and .Net 3.5 SP1 in my add/remove programs listing. Which one is required for VB 2008 programs?

Would the ClickOnce install the necessary .Net version if my friend didn't have it?

thanks

[gep13]

Hey,

Actually, 2008 can target any of those three frameworks, so you will have to check which one your project is set up to target. By default though, 2008 would create 3.5 projects.

I think I am right in saying that ClickOnce Applications can be configured to check for the existence of a framework, but I am not 100% sure, I would have to check, but not at my computer just now.

Gary

[Trekker182]

BTW, I just had my friend check on his computer that the program crashed on and he has just the 3.0 .Net framework installed.

So he would need the 3.5 .Net framework and then it should work, its not really a question of specific dll files then.

[gep13]

Hey,

It really depends on the complexity of your application. If you are using only classes contained within the .Net Framework, then all you need is the correct .Net Framework version on the target machine. If on the other hand you are using third party dll's, or anything else, then you would need to include them also in the deployment package.

Gary

[Trekker182]

I'm trying to use OneClick.

I had to install Visual Web Developer 2008 Express, I added all of the MME types to Apache's httpd.conf file but I'm getting the message below when I click on publish under build in VB 2008 Express for my project.

Error 12 Failed to connect to 'http://localhost/Jeopardy/' with the following error: Unable to open the Web site 'http://localhost/Jeopardy/'. To access Web sites on the local IIS Web server, you must run Visual Studio under an Administrator account in order to have access to the IIS metabase. Alternatively, install FrontPage Server Extensions (FPSE) and then grant FPSE access to users who will run Visual Studio. I thought that Visual Web Developer included the necessary FrontPage Server Extensions ?

In the Publish tab in Project 2's properties, I have the publishing folder location as http://localhost/Jeopardy/ I even made a folder named Jeopardy and placed it in my web server root just in case it doesn't do that.

I don't understand what it means by grant FPSE access to users who will run Visual Studio, I'm in XP and both programs were installed by me and I'm logged in as an administrator...I'm not using IIS but Apache 2.2.

I used Visual Web Developer to make a test web page and it serves it just to make sure it's working correctly with Apache.

BTW, these are the MME types that I added to Apache's httpd.conf file.

AddType application/x-ms-application application
AddType application/x-ms-manifest manifest
AddType application/octet-stream deploy
AddType application/vnd.ms-xpsdocument xps
AddType application/xaml+xml xaml
AddType application/x-ms-xbap xbap
AddType application/x-silverlight-app xap
AddType application/microsoftpatch msp
AddType application/microsoftupdate msu

Thanks.

[Trekker182]

It turns out that ClickOnce doesn't play nice with Apache so I temporarily disabled Apache and installed IIS and got it deployed, but still crashed when accessing the database.

In VB, I had to go into my projects properties, publish tab, application files, and select my access database and tag it as a data file in publish status. After I did that, it included it in the deployment.

[gep13]

Hey,

Why did you have to install Visual Web Developer 2008 Express, I don't understand why that would have been necessary?!?

Also, did you include the .Net Framework in the deployment? If not, the application will still fail. One thing to check is that you are actually including the database in the deployment, i.e. does it actually make it onto your friends computer.

Have you had a look at the following:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/31kztyey.aspx

Also, have a look here, it tells you how to include the .Net Framework in the ClickOnce Deployment as a prerequisite:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/h4k032e1.aspx

Gary

[Trekker182]

I received an error that I've since forgotten that I googled and it said I had to install Visual Basic Developer from Microsoft's troubleshooting site to get past the error message. I installed it and I don't get it anymore.

Plus, I needed it because I'm going to be taking an ASP.NET class very shortly so it worked out anyways.

Thanks for the other two links, but I got to them already.

I clicked on 3.5 .Net framework in prerequisites so it makes a setup file that the user can click on if they don't have them already installed.

Then they click on my application deployment icon and BAM!@, it works when accessing the questions and answers from my database.

Its pretty cool to see one of my programs sitting on the programs list and in the add/remove programs listing.

[gep13]

Hey,

So is that everything working? If so, remember to follow the links in my signature to close off your thread.

Gary

[Trekker182]

Yes thanks.