Automation error compiling with VB6

[crus]

I have a XP embedded OS image FP2007 including DOT NET 2.0 and
I have to be able to compile VB6 programs so I installed visual studio 6 (
only VB code)
The IDE is working and I can run programs but when I
try to make the exe I receive the following error:
"automation error the system cannot find the file specified ".
This error already appeared in the NG in a previous post but no solution has
been detected.
I checked VB6 with Dependency Walker profiling execution and added two
missing DLL to my image ( coming from Outlook express and IE offline Exec
and a lot of components required including MediaPlayer!)
Comparing with FileMonitor the execution of the same VB6 program on XP Pro I
see the same messages until the compiler C2 is called. On XPE only a query
is done on C2.EXE and the error message is given, on XP PRO instead, C2 and
LINKare opened and executed.
Thank you for any help. What kind of automation is involved?
Raffaele

 

[KM]

Are you saying you are trying to compile the app in VS installed under XPe? Any particular reason you can't compile the app on a
development PC?

 

[crus]

Hello Konstantin,
it's my customer that wants to be able to make changes on field. He reports
that he has got systems with XPE from two competitors that compiles without
error. Therefore I must find a solution, because one should exists.
Perhaps Process monitor could help, but it refuses to run on XPE.
Regards, Raffaele

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

You might want to check with a Microsoft distributor about the
legal/licensing issues for included VB6 in XPe.

--
Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[crus]

Hello Sean,
this is not my problem, if my customer has the right to use this compiler he
is allowed to install if and when it's needed since its use is only reserved
to the support people.
I'm requested to give capabilty to the image to use the software not to
install it myself.
Regarding to MS licencing the device is still an embedded appliance and not
a desktop replacement for office use
i'm sure that MS licenceng is not violated.
For my customer this is merely a compatibility check over my product, if
passed I may sell otherwise I loose against my competitors.
So I need only tech help.
Thanks for your patience
Raffaele

P.S. This is the first time I meet you in this NG, I have your book over my
desk and owe it my knowledge of XPE. Thank you.

----- Original Message -----

 

[KM]

Hi Raffaele,

Well, theoretically it is indeed possible to have the VS (any flavor) running on XPe. For instance, I had VS2006 and .Net installed
and used on XPProEmulation XPe image.

However, if you cannot go with the huge XPProEmulation image and you have to fix your own image, it may take some effort to find out
missing components.

The only suggestion I have for you is to try to run C2 with the Filemon/Regmon (Processor Monitor might serve better) running and
catching all the system activities. The best approach may be to compare the monitoring tool output on XPe and XP Pro machines. But
you may also want to simplify the output by not using the IDE but only the compiler launched with a command line.

Btw, what did you mean by "Perhaps Process monitor could help, but it refuses to run on XPE"? Are you missing component(s) for the
ProcMon? Then it should be easy to find out (with DependencyWalker, for instance) and fix because we had the tool running on
different XPe images without a problem many times.

 

[Sean Liming \(MVP\)]

One component to add would be the Null Device Driver component. I have had
to do make sure it was there when install VS on XPe.


Regards,

Sean Liming
www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com
Book Author - XP Embedded Advanced, XP Embedded Supplemental Toolkit

 

[crus]

I added "Null device driver" component as your advice and "Filter manager"
to satisfy Process Monitor requiring FTLIB.DLL.
After that the compiler works like a charm!
It's a kind of magic that a null.sys resolves! From now I'll include it in
every image i do.
Checked with and without the .NET Framework.
A big thank to you and to Konstantin for your wonderful help
Raffaele