Makecab/Cab file problems

[Will Chapman]

My VS2005 installation refuses to create CAB files for
CF projects:

Here's a step-by-step example of what I've been doing:

1. Create new Project, PocketPC 2003 App using CF 2.
2. Build device application (succeeded).
3. Add new project to solution (Smart device cab project)
4. Added primary output to project.
5. Add shortcut
6. Add some registry entries
7. Build smartdevice cab (failed) with the following error
message (see below):
8. Try calling Cabwiz from the command line......all produce
the same error.
9. Try command line with various earlier versions of cabwiz and makecab
....all produce the same problem.

I note from various blogs and MS forum that others are experiencing this
problem and no-one has come up with an answer.

Can anyone here help or put me in touch with someone who can?

Thanks..

Will Chapman
Error 1 The Windows CE CAB Wizard encountered an error. See the output
window for more information. C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\SmartDeviceCab1.vddproj

The output window and Cabwiz.log shows:
Error: CAB file "C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"
could not be created

The .inf file looks normal:

[Version]

Signature="$Windows NT$"

Provider="Default Company Name"

CESignature="$Windows CE$"

[CEStrings]

AppName="SmartDeviceCab1"

InstallDir=%CE1%\%AppName%

[Strings]

Manufacturer="Default Company Name"

[CEDevice]

VersionMin=4.0

VersionMax=5.99

BuildMax=0xE0000000

[DefaultInstall]

CEShortcuts=Shortcuts

AddReg=RegKeys

CopyFiles=Files.Common1

[SourceDisksNames]

1=,"Common1",,"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My Documents\Visual
Studio 2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\TestCabApp\obj\Debug\"

[SourceDisksFiles]

"TestCabApp.exe"=1

[DestinationDirs]

Shortcuts=0,%CE2%\Start Menu

Files.Common1=0,"%InstallDir%"

[Files.Common1]

"TestCabApp.exe","TestCabApp.exe",,0

[Shortcuts]

"Shortcut to Primary output from TestCabApp
(Active)",0,"TestCabApp.exe","%InstallDir%"

[RegKeys]

"HKCU","Software\C4B Limited\TestCabApp","Default","0x00000000","TestCab"

 

[Guest]

Make certain none of the source or target files are marked as read only.

-Chris

 

[Will Chapman]

Make certain none of the source or target files are marked as read
only.

Chris

I've had look at the properties and they don't appear to be read-only.
Is there a setting within VS2005 that controls this?

Thanks for your input...

Will Chapman

-Chris

My VS2005 installation refuses to create CAB files for
CF projects:

Here's a step-by-step example of what I've been doing:

1. Create new Project, PocketPC 2003 App using CF 2.
2. Build device application (succeeded).
3. Add new project to solution (Smart device cab project)
4. Added primary output to project.
5. Add shortcut
6. Add some registry entries
7. Build smartdevice cab (failed) with the following error
message (see below):
8. Try calling Cabwiz from the command line......all produce
the same error.
9. Try command line with various earlier versions of cabwiz and
makecab ...all produce the same problem.

I note from various blogs and MS forum that others are experiencing
this problem and no-one has come up with an answer.

Can anyone here help or put me in touch with someone who can?

Thanks..

Will Chapman
Error 1 The Windows CE CAB Wizard encountered an error. See the
output window for more information. C:\Documents and Settings\Will
Chapman\My Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\SmartDeviceCab1.vddproj

The output window and Cabwiz.log shows:
Error: CAB file "C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"
could not be created

The .inf file looks normal:

[Version]

Signature="$Windows NT$"

Provider="Default Company Name"

CESignature="$Windows CE$"

[CEStrings]

AppName="SmartDeviceCab1"

InstallDir=%CE1%\%AppName%

[Strings]

Manufacturer="Default Company Name"

[CEDevice]

VersionMin=4.0

VersionMax=5.99

BuildMax=0xE0000000

[DefaultInstall]

CEShortcuts=Shortcuts

AddReg=RegKeys

CopyFiles=Files.Common1

[SourceDisksNames]

1=,"Common1",,"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\TestCabApp\obj\Debug\" [SourceDisksFiles]

"TestCabApp.exe"=1

[DestinationDirs]

Shortcuts=0,%CE2%\Start Menu

Files.Common1=0,"%InstallDir%"

[Files.Common1]

"TestCabApp.exe","TestCabApp.exe",,0

[Shortcuts]

"Shortcut to Primary output from TestCabApp
(Active)",0,"TestCabApp.exe","%InstallDir%"

[RegKeys]

"HKCU","Software\C4B
Limited\TestCabApp","Default","0x00000000","TestCab"

--
Cheers.......


Will Chapman
nb Quidditch

 

[Chris Tacke, MVP]

No, but that's historically been one of my failure points - getting files
from source control and having them locked by default.

I know there's a setting to have CabWiz generate a log file for the build
process, which which is useful for debugging (IIRC it's a command-line
switch). I don't recall it offhand, but that's where I'd start. Use Google
to find that, then try to manually build from the command-line to see what
it doesn't like.

-Chris

Make certain none of the source or target files are marked as read
only.

Chris

I've had look at the properties and they don't appear to be read-only.
Is there a setting within VS2005 that controls this?

Thanks for your input...

Will Chapman

-Chris

My VS2005 installation refuses to create CAB files for
CF projects:

Here's a step-by-step example of what I've been doing:

1. Create new Project, PocketPC 2003 App using CF 2.
2. Build device application (succeeded).
3. Add new project to solution (Smart device cab project)
4. Added primary output to project.
5. Add shortcut
6. Add some registry entries
7. Build smartdevice cab (failed) with the following error
message (see below):
8. Try calling Cabwiz from the command line......all produce
the same error.
9. Try command line with various earlier versions of cabwiz and
makecab ...all produce the same problem.

I note from various blogs and MS forum that others are experiencing
this problem and no-one has come up with an answer.

Can anyone here help or put me in touch with someone who can?

Thanks..

Will Chapman
Error 1 The Windows CE CAB Wizard encountered an error. See the
output window for more information. C:\Documents and Settings\Will
Chapman\My Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\SmartDeviceCab1.vddproj

The output window and Cabwiz.log shows:
Error: CAB file "C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"
could not be created

The .inf file looks normal:

[Version]

Signature="$Windows NT$"

Provider="Default Company Name"

CESignature="$Windows CE$"

[CEStrings]

AppName="SmartDeviceCab1"

InstallDir=%CE1%\%AppName%

[Strings]

Manufacturer="Default Company Name"

[CEDevice]

VersionMin=4.0

VersionMax=5.99

BuildMax=0xE0000000

[DefaultInstall]

CEShortcuts=Shortcuts

AddReg=RegKeys

CopyFiles=Files.Common1

[SourceDisksNames]

1=,"Common1",,"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\TestCabApp\obj\Debug\" [SourceDisksFiles]

"TestCabApp.exe"=1

[DestinationDirs]

Shortcuts=0,%CE2%\Start Menu

Files.Common1=0,"%InstallDir%"

[Files.Common1]

"TestCabApp.exe","TestCabApp.exe",,0

[Shortcuts]

"Shortcut to Primary output from TestCabApp
(Active)",0,"TestCabApp.exe","%InstallDir%"

[RegKeys]

"HKCU","Software\C4B
Limited\TestCabApp","Default","0x00000000","TestCab"

--
Cheers.......


Will Chapman
nb Quidditch

 

[Will Chapman]

No, but that's historically been one of my failure points - getting
files from source control and having them locked by default.

I'll remember that although at the moment I'm not using source
control.

I know there's a setting to have CabWiz generate a log file for the
build process, which which is useful for debugging (IIRC it's a
command-line switch).

I've beeen using the log and command line and it doesn't offer any
clues.

HOWEVER, I have just made a step forward. If I put the target
file, cabwiz.exe and the .inf file (edited to remove a long path) in the
same folder and it WORKS!

I'm wondering whether it is the sheer length of the path e.g.

"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"

or perhaps the spaces?

I'm now searching the help files to find out how I can get everything
to go into the same folder without having to do it manually.

Any ideas?

Regards

Will Chapman

Make certain none of the source or target files are marked as read
only.

Chris

I've had look at the properties and they don't appear to be
read-only. Is there a setting within VS2005 that controls this?

Thanks for your input...

Will Chapman

-Chris


My VS2005 installation refuses to create CAB files for
CF projects:

Here's a step-by-step example of what I've been doing:

1. Create new Project, PocketPC 2003 App using CF 2.
2. Build device application (succeeded).
3. Add new project to solution (Smart device cab project)
4. Added primary output to project.
5. Add shortcut
6. Add some registry entries
7. Build smartdevice cab (failed) with the following error
message (see below):
8. Try calling Cabwiz from the command line......all produce
the same error.
9. Try command line with various earlier versions of cabwiz and
makecab ...all produce the same problem.

I note from various blogs and MS forum that others are experiencing
this problem and no-one has come up with an answer.

Can anyone here help or put me in touch with someone who can?

Thanks..

Will Chapman
Error 1 The Windows CE CAB Wizard encountered an error. See the
output window for more information. C:\Documents and Settings\Will
Chapman\My Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\SmartDeviceCab1.vddproj

The output window and Cabwiz.log shows:
Error: CAB file "C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"
could not be created

The .inf file looks normal:

[Version]

Signature="$Windows NT$"

Provider="Default Company Name"

CESignature="$Windows CE$"

[CEStrings]

AppName="SmartDeviceCab1"

InstallDir=%CE1%\%AppName%

[Strings]

Manufacturer="Default Company Name"

[CEDevice]

VersionMin=4.0

VersionMax=5.99

BuildMax=0xE0000000

[DefaultInstall]

CEShortcuts=Shortcuts

AddReg=RegKeys

CopyFiles=Files.Common1

[SourceDisksNames]

1=,"Common1",,"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\TestCabApp\obj\Debug\"
[SourceDisksFiles] "TestCabApp.exe"=1

[DestinationDirs]

Shortcuts=0,%CE2%\Start Menu

Files.Common1=0,"%InstallDir%"

[Files.Common1]

"TestCabApp.exe","TestCabApp.exe",,0

[Shortcuts]

"Shortcut to Primary output from TestCabApp
(Active)",0,"TestCabApp.exe","%InstallDir%"

[RegKeys]

"HKCU","Software\C4B
Limited\TestCabApp","Default","0x00000000","TestCab"

--
Cheers.......


Will Chapman
nb Quidditch

--
Cheers.......


Will Chapman
nb Quidditch

 

[Alex Feinman [MVP]]

I was about to suggest that. I think CabWiz won't handle over 255 characters
in the path. Try moving the project up closer to the drive root or use subst

No, but that's historically been one of my failure points - getting
files from source control and having them locked by default.

I'll remember that although at the moment I'm not using source
control.

I know there's a setting to have CabWiz generate a log file for the
build process, which which is useful for debugging (IIRC it's a
command-line switch).

I've beeen using the log and command line and it doesn't offer any
clues.

HOWEVER, I have just made a step forward. If I put the target
file, cabwiz.exe and the .inf file (edited to remove a long path) in the
same folder and it WORKS!

I'm wondering whether it is the sheer length of the path e.g.

"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"

or perhaps the spaces?

I'm now searching the help files to find out how I can get everything
to go into the same folder without having to do it manually.

Any ideas?

Regards

Will Chapman

<ctacke/> wrote:
Make certain none of the source or target files are marked as read
only.

Chris

I've had look at the properties and they don't appear to be
read-only. Is there a setting within VS2005 that controls this?

Thanks for your input...

Will Chapman

-Chris


My VS2005 installation refuses to create CAB files for
CF projects:

Here's a step-by-step example of what I've been doing:

1. Create new Project, PocketPC 2003 App using CF 2.
2. Build device application (succeeded).
3. Add new project to solution (Smart device cab project)
4. Added primary output to project.
5. Add shortcut
6. Add some registry entries
7. Build smartdevice cab (failed) with the following error
message (see below):
8. Try calling Cabwiz from the command line......all produce
the same error.
9. Try command line with various earlier versions of cabwiz and
makecab ...all produce the same problem.

I note from various blogs and MS forum that others are experiencing
this problem and no-one has come up with an answer.

Can anyone here help or put me in touch with someone who can?

Thanks..

Will Chapman
Error 1 The Windows CE CAB Wizard encountered an error. See the
output window for more information. C:\Documents and Settings\Will
Chapman\My Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\SmartDeviceCab1.vddproj

The output window and Cabwiz.log shows:
Error: CAB file "C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual
Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\SmartDeviceCab1\Debug\SmartDeviceCab1.CAB"
could not be created

The .inf file looks normal:

[Version]

Signature="$Windows NT$"

Provider="Default Company Name"

CESignature="$Windows CE$"

[CEStrings]

AppName="SmartDeviceCab1"

InstallDir=%CE1%\%AppName%

[Strings]

Manufacturer="Default Company Name"

[CEDevice]

VersionMin=4.0

VersionMax=5.99

BuildMax=0xE0000000

[DefaultInstall]

CEShortcuts=Shortcuts

AddReg=RegKeys

CopyFiles=Files.Common1

[SourceDisksNames]

1=,"Common1",,"C:\Documents and Settings\Will Chapman\My
Documents\Visual Studio
2005\Projects\Wami\CabProject\TestCabApp\obj\Debug\"
[SourceDisksFiles] "TestCabApp.exe"=1

[DestinationDirs]

Shortcuts=0,%CE2%\Start Menu

Files.Common1=0,"%InstallDir%"

[Files.Common1]

"TestCabApp.exe","TestCabApp.exe",,0

[Shortcuts]

"Shortcut to Primary output from TestCabApp
(Active)",0,"TestCabApp.exe","%InstallDir%"

[RegKeys]

"HKCU","Software\C4B
Limited\TestCabApp","Default","0x00000000","TestCab"

--
Cheers.......


Will Chapman
nb Quidditch

--
Cheers.......


Will Chapman
nb Quidditch