Simple .exe

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fred
  • Start date Start date
F

Fred

Hi,
I have an Excel add-in and an ActiveX component and a script which puts the
add-in in the XLStart directory and installs and registers the ActiveX
component. Basically the script is my install program.
The problem is that I believe the Autorun.inf file on a CD to autostart can
only call exe files? I presume this is correct.
How can I create a simple .exe file to run my script assuming that some PCs
won't have Framework installed.

Thanks
Fred
 
Fred,

Actually, I thought the same was true about autorun.inf. But, I then
discovered shellexecute.

My installs use an autorun.inf that calls an html document to tell the user
a bit about what they're about to install. Then I have a link in the html
doc that calls my setup program.

the autorun.inf I use looks like this:

[autorun]
shellexecute=readme.htm
icon=myicon.ico
label=whatever I want

When the CD is inserted, the readme.htm file is opened. So, I suspect that
you could put anything you want to execute there, keeping in mind that you
have to provide the path to the file you want to execute, unless it's in the
root directory of the CD.

Regards,
Lee
 
Hi I've done this by calling a bat file from the autorun.inf, and then in
that bat file I first call the framework installer, and then install my
stuff.
autorun.inf contains:
[autorun]
open=install.bat

This probably ain't the best solution but it works ok for me because my
install first has to install the dotnet framework, then crystal reports
runtimes, then a msde database, then it runs my own setup program, which
preforms some registering of ocx's and starting services and other stuff and
this all works fine. But I have to say on windows me or lower it won't work
because if in your bat file you type for example:
start1.exe
msde.exe
cr.exe

it opens all 3 exe's at the same time and that's not good, but in 2000 and
xp it waits untill the first exe is done and then opens the next one and so
on, you could ofcourse work with the pause command,

just my 2 euro cent

Greetz Peter
 
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