Bundling .NET CF V2.0 and SQLCE Mobile cab files inside the app setup

[Asheesh]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of migrating my CF V1.0 based application to CF V2.0.
However, since V2.0 and SQLCE Mobile runtimes will not be available in the
devices
viz Pocket PC 2003 SE and WM 5.0, I intend to bundle them in my setup. This
way if the runtimes aren't installed on the device, I'll check it
and install accordingly.

However, there's a problem with the cab files I'm using.
Since I'm preparing a ArmV4 build, following are the cab files
NETCFv2.ppc.armv4.cab and sqlce30.ppc.wce4.armv4.CAB
Now, when these cab files are installed in the main memory my application
works fine. However, when I install these files on to the storage card
(CF card), then the runtimes installation goes awry. It doesn't get
installed properly.

Is there a problem with the installation of CAB files on the storage card?
I'm installing these cab files through my pocketpc setup tool.
I had no problems earlier on when I was using SP3 Cab files for .NET CF and
SQLCE V2.0 files and installing them on the storage card.

I'd appreciate if anyone could help me out here.
Thanks & regards,
Asheesh

 

[Ilya Tumanov [MS]]

NETCF can not be installed onto storage card in V2 (and V1). Please see this
for details:

http://blogs.msdn.com/netcfteam/archive/2005/10/11/479793.aspx

Best regards,

Ilya

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[Asheesh]

Thanks a lot for your reply Ilya, but I've been using .NETCF V1.0 SP1-SP3
bundled in my application for quite some time. If the user chooses to
install his/her app in the storage card, then the .NETCF and SQLCE files
also get installed on the storage card. This is a different matter that the
assemblies get copied on to the
windows folder of the device and installed in the GAC.

I never faced such a problem using .NET CF, but you've mentioned that the
..NET CF V2.0 doesn't gets installed on the storage card.
Is there a workaround for this?
Can I manually take out all the dlls in the .NETCF and SQLCE mobile edition
and then deploy it in the windows folder of the device coz if a user
installs my app in the storage card, then, the runtimes are installed there.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Asheesh

 

[Ilya Tumanov [MS]]

Both SQL CE and NETCF can not be installed to the storage card regardless of
version.

There's no difference is that aspect between NETCF V1 and NETCF V2, both
would go to \Windows regardless, you'll get an empty folder on the storage
card, that's it.

I would guess you've never seen installation failure for NETCF V1 because
you never hit this storage card hardware issue before.



Yes, there's a workaround. You can change your installer so it would never
try to install NETCF/SQL CE on to storage card regardless of the user's
choice.

Your application can go to storage card at user request as it used to.



No, you can not take out DLLs from NETCF and SQL CE CABs as it would be a
license violation.



I've filed a bug to disable NETCF installation to the storage card (or, if
not possible - disregard the request) in the next version so nobody will get
into this situation.


Best regards,

Ilya

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[Asheesh]

Thanks a lot, Ilya for all your help and replies.

Regards,
Asheesh