microsoft installers

[dallasfreak]

i love this program, it's a very nice program and it does everything i need it to.
just have 2 questions and 2 suggestions.

First the suggestions, the next version of the CD I'm relesing will features skins, I have found a workaround to accomplish this, but I'm wondering if that will ever be put into a version. You could use a variablt (IE. if WIN98, display WIN98 background image..) Just a thought
Second: drop down menus. That would help so much at times. Once again workarounds have been found, but require extra coding

Now then the questions. I use the menu to call a certain program that needs to run the entire time the menu is open, then when the men closes, this program needs to close. Basically the program is a moving wallpaper, and i have made my menu transparant for this program. D/L: http://www.geisswerks.com/drempels/
I can get the program to start, but just not stop.. any suggestions?

Second one: I need the menu to run a *.MSI file (microsoft installer file) I point it to the file, but it will not run it at all. I know I'm doing it right (at least i feel i am), cause everything else works fine except that paticular one -- any suggestions on that? The *.MSI works fine after double clicking on it, so i know its not corrupt. I have also included MDAC_TYP.EXE on the CD, to install teh Microsoft Datat Access Components the install says it requires, but still no go

[Mark]

Re: microsoft installers

Hi,
1) Sorry but there really is not way to stop a process using AutoPlay.
2) How are you trying to start the MSI installation? Perhaps you could tell me exactly how you are attempting to start the MSI installation. Have you tried using an EXECUTE PROGRAM action or an OPEN DOCUEMENT action?

Thanks for your suggestions, if you have anymore suggestion we would love to hear them.

mark.

[dallasfreak]

Re: microsoft installers

%TempDir%\perfectcopyinstall\Perfect Copy.msi
im using an executee program on the file.
the %tempdir% is usually c:\windows\temp\
the folder is created on the end users computer as well as the file is copied to it. I have wrapped the *.msi into an EXE, but now i need for the MSI to be executed.

[Mark]

Re: microsoft installers

Hi,
Try using an OPEN DOCUMENT action on your MSI installation. I was testing on my WIN 2000 machine and both the OPEN DOCUMENT and EXECUTE PROGRAM actions started an MSI installation properly. What OS are you running on?
What happens when you try to use an EXECUTE PROGRAM action? Do you get an error, or does nothing happen? If you do get an error could you please tell me exactly what the error says?

mark.

[dallasfreak]

Re: microsoft installers

ok feel like idiot -- figured ot why it wasnt working. The lack of file associations kinda hendered them opening. Imagine that. Downloaded the upate for 98 for MSI files. It comes native to 2k and ME, and has updates for 98 down. Installed it and had the menu do both an open document command and execute command, Open document works great, had to add a popup message for wait for return effect, but Execute doesnt do anything at all. Im happy with just the open document, cause only two of my programs are MSI's all the others are EXE's. I am kinda curious though as to why execute doesnt work. I made sure to specify both the directory in the path name as well as in the working directory, jsut wont run -- no error messages oh well.
BTW using 98 to test and build menu for compatibility issues.