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vivek_g27
Level: Sage

Registered: 06-04-2005
Posts: 57

installation problem

hi,

i developed a serial comm support software for rs232 based device. it works fine with my PC. the code and exe files are ready.

it uses some DLL and OCX files.

i hav used VB6 on a win xp, P4.

i have used an MDIform and called several SDIforms inside the menu executed procedures/ function calls.

question1:   is it necessary to distribute set up file (or) whether the *.exe is sufficient.

i created the exe file and copied to another PC. i got an error that some dll/ocx file is missing.

i manually copied them into system32 directory. now i get run time error 7 out of memory error.

Also i plan to distribute the package (exe or set up) which will run on win 95 onwards.

Question2:    how do i ensure that the software will run in win 95,98,me,xp without problems.

I think win 95 PCs will not hav system32 directory. if it is the case,

Question3:   Can i change the path of the DLL files from C:\windows\system32 to "App.path". is it necessary for the files to stay in system 32 directory

Question4:   if the dll files can be put in some places also, will another version of the dll (different version from system32 folder) run successfully.

please help. though i hav some development skills with VB, i dont hav much of idea about distributing applications. Also this is my first. Answers to these questions would be of immense help to me.

thanx and regards,
VIVEK


[Edited by vivek_g27 on 03-04-2006 at 04:15 PM GMT]

03-04-2006 at 11:11 AM

vivek_g27
Level: Sage

Registered: 06-04-2005
Posts: 57

Re: installation problem

I USE PACKAGE AND DEPLOYMENT WIZARD.

03-04-2006 at 11:31 AM

Goran
Level: Moderator

Registered: 16-05-2002
Posts: 1681

Re: installation problem

quote:
question1: is it necessary to distribute set up file (or) whether the *.exe is sufficient.

Since you will be installing it on Win9x, exe is not enough. Also, usually dll/ocx needs to be registered on machine, not just copied.

quote:
uestion2: how do i ensure that the software will run in win 95,98,me,xp without problems.

The only sure way is to test the installation on the 'clean installation of all OS's' that will be supported. By 'clean installation of OS' I mean you should be testing it on the Win95 that is just installed, Win98, etc, etc

quote:
uestion3: Can i change the path of the DLL files from C:\windows\system32 to "App.path". is it necessary for the files to stay in system 32 directory

Yes, altough if you are installing some common files, it is not recommended...

quote:
Question4: if the dll files can be put in some places also, will another version of the dll (different version from system32 folder) run successfully.

Welcome to DLL Hell.

There are many topics on the net that try to deal with this issue. Recommended way for most dll's that are part of Windows Os is to be installed in %System% directory.

%System% directory on Win 9x OS is located in \Windows\Ststem

%System% directory on NT OS is located in \Windows\Ststem32

INstallers do a pretty good job with this problems you are facing, and hide most of the issues from you. You should use Visual Studio Installer, its free and better than PDW.

____________________________
If you find the answer helpful, please mark this topic as solved.

03-04-2006 at 05:08 PM

vivek_g27
Level: Sage

Registered: 06-04-2005
Posts: 57

Re: installation problem

thanks for the suggestion to use VISUAL STUDIO INSTALLER it solved all the problems.

i tried installing in a win 95 pc also , it was successful.

cheers,
VIVEK

05-04-2006 at 03:07 AM

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