From a presentation to an .exe file

[Rick Altman]

Hello, all --

I want to embed an executable file in a presentation so that I can make one
click on a wireless remote and promptly launch the .exe file. Setting an
action is deficient, as it requires that I move the mouse to the object with
the action. Inserting an embedded object normally produces a "Play" choice
from the Object Actions sub-menu of Animation; but with an .exe file, the
choice changes to Activate Contents, and during the slide show, activation
forces the Security Warning dialog box that prompts me to choose Run or
Cancel.

As my environment is stable and controlled, I want to bypass that security
warning. Is there any way that I can? Many thanks...

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Two problems, then?

I want to embed an executable file in a presentation so that I can make one
click on a wireless remote and promptly launch the .exe file. Setting an
action is deficient, as it requires that I move the mouse to the object with
the action.

Cover the entire slide with a rectangle and assign that the action setting.
Depending on the version of PPT, you may have to give the rectangle a fill
color then assign it 99% transparency to make in invisible but still capable of
receiving clicks.

Inserting an embedded object normally produces a "Play" choice
from the Object Actions sub-menu of Animation; but with an .exe file, the
choice changes to Activate Contents,

You've gotten farther with it than I can. When I try inserting an EXE as an
object, PPT really outdoes itself in demonstrating newer and more complete
forms of total catatonia. That's Long for "eats dirt".

What EXE are you embedding?

And since you're working in a controlled environment, why bother embedding when
an action setting would produce the same result?

and during the slide show, activation
forces the Security Warning dialog box that prompts me to choose Run or
Cancel.

The fix:

Security warning message when clicking hyperlink in PowerPoint 2003: "files
might harm your computer"
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00587.htm

 

[Rick Altman]

Cover the entire slide with a rectangle and assign that the action
setting.

Esteban, that requires a click of the mouse when what I want is to only
click my wireless remote once to advance to the next slide or animation.
It's close, but not quite good enough if I am across the room or something.

When I try inserting an EXE as an object, PPT really "eats dirt".

Indeed, its behavior is not nearly as reliable as with other objects. I've
gotten them to play nicely, and I don't mind warning messages and scary
dialogs; I just don't want to have to click a key or mouse button.

What EXE are you embedding?

It's a digital video file created in Pro Show Producer that is packaged as
an .exe file.

Why bother embedding when an action setting would produce the same

result?

See above -- I don't want to click on anything! Just my wireless remote...

 

[Austin Myers]

Rick,

Stating the obvious, why not just use the video file itself instead of an
exe? I think you are going to find that is much easier than the approach
you are taking.


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Guest]

Hi Rick -

Does this help (see below):

How to disable hyperlink warning messages in Office 2003
The Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 829072 gives step-by-step
instructions on how to prevent Microsoft Office 2003 programs from displaying
a warning message every time that you click a hyperlink in an Office 2003
program. You are required to modify the Windows Registry at a couple of
places. The following two applications do the same thing and saves you from
performing the 19 steps listed in that article.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=829072

 

[Rick Altman]

Perhaps...except the .exe provides excellent fidelity at 10MB, and the most
compact video flavor of acceptable quality will weigh in at over 2GB...

 

[Rick Altman]

Thanks for the input, Sandy -- this, however is a different warning. The one
I'm trying to defeat is not the Office-centric hyperlink warning, but the
Windows-general Security warning that is invoked upon trying to launch an
embedded .exe file.

I'll keep trying...

 

[Guest]

I'll second Austin's recommendation. PS Producer can output a number of
video formats. For now, it's probably the best way to go. Did you save your
project file?
.............TD

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

setting.

Esteban, that requires a click of the mouse when what I want is to only
click my wireless remote once to advance to the next slide or animation.
It's close, but not quite good enough if I am across the room or something.

What does the remote send to PPT?
Not a mouse click, I take it? A keystroke of some kind?

Indeed, its behavior is not nearly as reliable as with other objects. I've
gotten them to play nicely, and I don't mind warning messages and scary
dialogs;

Ah, but THOSE you should be able to get rid of, at least. See the link I
posted.

 

[Austin Myers]

Rick,

Not to sound like a used car salesman but give PFCMedia a try, I think you
might be surprised at both the compression and resulting quality.


Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Rick Altman]

What does the remote send to PPT? Not a mouse click, I take it?

Right, just the command to advance, either to the next slide or to the next
animation in the sequence. Therefore if an object is embedded and animated
On Click, you can use a wireless remote to start it. Unless it's an .exe
file, thank you very much!



RA

 

[Rick Altman]

I will, thank you!



RA

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Right, just the command to advance,

I doubt it.

Unless there's a specific add-in that listens for this remote's plaintive
little cry and remote-controls PPT, the remote isn't telling PPT anything
directly, I don't think. Other than automation, PPT responds only to
keystrokes and clicks.

More likely the remote's driver is hearing your click on the remote and
translating translating that into a keystroke it sends to Windows which passes
it along to PPT and voi and la.

Sending a keystroke rather than a click would account for the behavior.

But since it seems that you can't trigger an action setting in any way but
clicking on the shape, that only helps explain why ya can't get there from
here, not how to get there. Feh.

("There" being, in this case, a way to set off the fireworks w/o having to
carry 'em around in your pocket beforehand, so to speak.)

 

[Rick Altman]

My guess is that the cadre of wireless remotes on the market today simply
stuff the keyboard buffer with a <space> or a <right arrow>. In either case,
as you point out, it's not going to get the job done with .exe's...