Custom Installer of Database?

[agehoops]

I'm looking at creating an automated system to install the database. I know that with the access developer kit it includes an installer package creator, however it doesn't have some features I'm after.

Basically, I want it to obviously copy the database file into a folder (that the user specifies) and create a shortcut if the user specifies to the desktop and/or start menu. But then there is a back end, so I want the option to specify if the machine it is being installed on will be hosting the backend or not.

Then it needs to install access runtime as well, then copy a DLL file and .bas file into the same directory as the front end, then copy a DLL file into a system folder and then register that DLL file within windows.

Do I need to create a separate program all together, or is there something that'll allow me to do this?

Thanks very much

 

[Banana]

I think there's a Packaging Wizard, but not sure if it's a part of Windows installation or Access installation or something separate.

OTOH, if you want to do it for free, and are willing to do it the nitty-gritty way, a batch file can do all this. Search the google about how to make a batch file.

 

[agehoops]

Yea i'd thought about a batch file but it can be a bit confusing for your average user. I was going to use it for registering the DLL file once it was copied, but i'll take a look around for some installer programs. Thanks

 

[s1police]

I have tried to search some website about MS Office Developer, however, it seems that the software cannot make a exe file....

My case is the same as you, want to make my Access into a software package and let user to install in a fixed directory. So as to they cannot put the database everywhere.

Because my Access need to get extra data from xls provided by other system, so a fixed directory is better....

Please keep me update if you find any "Create install package program".

Thanks!!

 

[agehoops]

well the office developers tools doesn't make an exe file, it instead creates an msi file which will do the same thing, it just doesn't offer the flexibility i need. If i can't find any programs out there to do exactly what I want, i may just create my own one

 

[Transentient]

Installer

Have been playing around which must the same idea's. I have found InnoSet from Jordan Russel Software, best thing its free! You can download the Install file compiler on its own, but you can also download a quick start pack which contains a third party program called ISSTest, handy for checking through your scripts.

I also dicovered a program call AccessRunTime Tester, which intalls runtime files for access 97 along side an access application to test functionality. I have used the install script as the bases for my project. The programmer of this little utility is also very helpful.

Not sure If I can post links, but if allowed I can post links for the installer compiler and runtime tester, and its installation script. Just let me know.

regards

 

[agehoops]

oh wow that sounds fantastic!! If you could get the links here that would be amazing, sounds like just what I've needed!

 

[boblarson]

Not sure If I can post links,

You can if it is to answer someone's specific question and not obvious advertising just for the sake of advertising.

 

[Transentient]

Installer

Links as promised

Inno Setup - , download the QuickPack, comes with compiler and a handy app called IssTools
www.jrsoftware.org

RunTime Tester App (access97) - Installs the runtime files and a tester app
http://www.openaccess.co.za/BlackAndWhiteInc/Runtime.htm

Script for the above installer, so you can see how ots put together
http://www.openaccess.co.za/BlackAndWhiteInc/Access97rt.zip

To get all the files refered to in the installer script, download the IsUnp Explorer program here to decompile and unpack the files from the RunTime Tester App setup files.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=102423

After downloading and installing InnoSetup Simply download the tester app and the script. Use the decompiler to extraxct the files from the setup file. Read through the script file and changes the bits you need to. Most of if is pretty straight forward, however the programmer for the runntime tester app, Donn Edwards is Very help full if you email him, his email is on the page for the runtime app.

Hope that helps everybody, I am still learning and playing, and have some good examples so far.

Regards

 

[MStCyr]

Hi

Take a look at Install Creator located at www.clickteam.com.
It's quite good and free

Best regards

Maurice

 

[Banana]

Install Creater from clickteam looks great. It even registers library files. Very useful for those too cheap to cough up dough for developer extensions (e.g. me).

Just two questions, in case anyone knows-

1) For some DLL files, when I check the tickbox saying to register this file, it says that thie file cannot be registered, but the tick stays anyway. Should I clear the tick, even though it said it can't be registered?

2) I have two external dependencies that I cannot put in same directory (e.g. an ODBC driver and a framework), but want to verify that those are present on the end user's computer. How would I make the program check for those dependencies and perform the necessary installation?