Creating a distributable

[Smee]

Ok i have followed all the directions listed for setup builder at
Basic4ppc - Windows Mobile programming and Pocket PC Development

When i click on build cabs all that happens is the folder where setupbuilder.exe is located pops open.

An ini file is created and an .inf file but nothing else i could email you a screenshot but cannot upload a 40kb file

sorry for the mass of questions at once but this is my first attempt at getting an app from my computer to the device

Thanks





Ok i figured it out. i am an idiot

In the pathname textboxes i put the pathname sans the filenames so i put
E:\Basic4PPC\SetupBuilder\
instead of
E:\Basic4PPC\SetupBuilder\Cabwiz.exe

ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH

ok so now i have my cab files, ini and inf files and a setup program.

where is the best place to put these files on the device and the place to actually install the software.

Thanks all


Edit:

Ok i just connected with activesync and installed the program. on running it i got an error message so i removed the program and started to build a new setup.

This time i added all the dll's i thought i needed. (not sure if they are merged when the program is compiled).

Well when i tried to build this time i got an error regarding ezsetup. The message was ezsetup.exe is not recognised as an internal or external commmand etc.
So i merely copied it to the windows...\system32 directory and then ran again
this time i got an error message saying error reading .ini file: setup.ini
the details of which are;

[CEAppManager]
Version = 1.0
Component = Munch POS

[Munch POS]
Description = Munch POS
CabFiles = Munch POS_PPC.ARM.CAB,Munch POS_PPC.ARMV4.CAB

i had deleted all the existing files before doing the new rebuild any ideas please?

 

[glook]

I was a bit confused by the last part of your post, not sure what you're copying to where?

Anyway, this is how I do it (complete checklist), which works for me:

Put SetupBuilder.exe in a new folder
Install Cabwiz.exe (I used the Pocket PC 2003 SDK)
Put ezsetup.exe in the same folder as SetupBuilder
Run SetupBuilder.exe
Enter the full paths of Cabwiz and ezsetup in the boxes

Then for each application that you wish to create (all app files are in a separate folder):
Enter Company and App names, README and EULA files in the boxes
Add the compiled application .exe file
Add any extra DLL and any other files needed
SAVE the settings file (.int) somewhere (makes it quick next time )
Click Build Cabs
When the cab files appear in the folder, Click Build Setup
Move cab files and setup.exe to their proper folder

You only need to distribute the setup.exe, to run from a PC, or the cab file to run only from the device (I rename the ARMV4.CAB file).

Now it is very easy to make new versions, by loading the .int file.

If I got anything wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me!

Regards,
Geoff.

 

[Smee]

Thanks for your reply Geoff,

I worked out the problem eventually. It seems that the setupbuilder has to be closed and restarted after each cab build. Once i did that the builder works every time.

thanks again for the reply Geoff

Joe

 

[Smee]

Hello again Geoff,

I just re-read your post and it struck me what you said,

You only need to distribute the setup.exe, to run from a PC, or the cab file to run only from the device (I rename the ARMV4.CAB file).

i have been running the setup.exe from my computer which i assumed was the way to install to the pda and i am having problems with the program not running correctly

Is this not the way to install to the device?

 

[derez]

You can check my setup program which installs from PC to device without any other applications and without some limitations that the setupbuilder has, like possibility to copy directories.

http://www.b4x.com/forum/share-your-creations/4704-new-setup-building-program.html#post27010

 

[Smee]

Thank you,

I got it working but i will check out your program anyway. Hopefully it will allow the ability to add a graqphic as the programs icon

:icon_clap:

 

[glook]

i have been running the setup.exe from my computer which i assumed was the way to install to the pda and i am having problems with the program not running correctly

Yes, I usually distribute a setup.exe to install from the PC. I think this is the most common way. However, some people prefer to install directly on the device, from a CAB file. Perhaps the choice could depend on the application - if it includes some PC components then it must be run from the PC. Occasionally a user may not have a Windows PC, for example connecting the Pocket PC to a MAC - then the CAB is needed.

SetupBuilder has done the job so far, but David's install maker sounds interesting. I will also be looking at it.

Geoff.