Installation software??

[Rachael]

Hi,

I have been using the Package/Deploy wizard for a couple of years and it works OK (though limited).

I am now having a few problems such as it doesn't seem to work when a customer is installing on a machine with Windows ME or 2000. I have to talk the customer through a manual install (copy this file to here, do this etc etc) Not much fun as you can imagine! And not good for business!

Whats out there that is better? And what are peoples experiences?

I have searched the forum extensively and read alot about expensive Sagekey products and ElsVanMiert with MDT2000. Are there other? Has anyone used MDT2000?

Please comment

Thanks, Rachael

 

[Fizzio]

There is another free solution called innosetup which I have yet to try myself.

 

[Jack Cowley]

Rachael -

Maybe you can glean a little information from this thread. It is about Access2002 on Windows2000 but maybe it will help. Someone also mentions Sagekey as being a good program, but I have never even seen it. Just about anything would be better than PDW in my humble opinion...

Good luck and I hope that Mother Nature is back under control for you now...

Jack

 

[pcs]

i use a product called setup2go...

http://dev4pc.com/setup2go.html

my needs are fairly simple and i don't use it to make registry entries, add dll's, etc. (altho it has those capabilities). the interface is reasonably intuitive and it has most of the bells and whistles (splash screens, EULA, etc.)

i have had no problems whatsoever with ME or 2000.

al

 

[Rachael]

Thanks everyone for your replies, nice to hear from you Jack, as always, we have had a little rain but are still in the grips of the worst drought on record. Thank god for my software income.

Anyway, pcs, have downloaded the Setup2go and will try out shortly. Do you distribute runtime with this software? Is it possible?

Regards, Rachael

 

[Jack Cowley]

Rachael -

I am sorry that you still don't have any rain. I will keep my fingers crossed that next year will more than make up for this years crop failure and the terrible drought will be just a bad memory. I have a feeling that things are about to get better!

Stay well and my best to the family....

Jack

 

[Keith P]

Hi Rachael
I know we have corresponded before on the joys of PDW. I can’t offer any advice on alternate products but I did a while ago experience problems with installing on 2000. It came about after I had upgraded the operating system to XP Pro and the PDW was picking up later versions of some files and trying to update the Windows 2000 target computer. As you are aware this is achieved by PDW performing a computer restart. However, the more sophisticated security of Windows 2000 (and perhaps ME) will not allow this to happen. The Microsoft suggested workaround on the KB is to use older files and place them in the REDIST folder and regenerate your deployment package using these files. Unfortunately I cannot find the KB article but I am fairly sure that the relevant files are ASYCFILT.DLL, OLEAUT32.DLL, OLEPRO32.DLL AND STDOLE2.TLB. If you need to know version numbers let me know.
I hope this is of some help.
Keith

 

[Rachael]

Hi Keith, relieved to hear you have had the same problem, if I could possibly trouble you to find the info I would be most appreciative.

For others that might be interested the Setup2go installer seems pretty good (much better than PDW BUT I don't think Runtime can be launched if Access doesn't exist as the PDW does) I think I will use Setup2go for email upgrades. The other Inno Setup I couldn't get an install package to work after 5 minutes so gave up!

Would also still like to hear from anyone on Setup2go and runtime, if there is any experience with this out there?

Kind regards, Rachael

 

[chewy]

what do you mean distribute runtime?

 

[mission2java_78]

I use inno with nada problem.

I didnt know access had a package and deployment wizard...

Jon

 

[new_user]

I'd love to hear more about the post and deploy feature, as I have not heard of that as well.

It may help with my queation about using Access as a catalog database on a CD-ROM.

Thanks!
Erin

 

[Jack Cowley]

When you purchase the Developers Edition of Access or Office you are buying a license to distribute your database. Along with the license Microsoft includes a Package and Deployment Wizard that helps you (figuratively speaking!) put together the bits and pieces you will need to distribute your database so that your users can run the database on their machines if they do not have a copy of Access. A part of the Wizard puts together the 'runtime' files you need so your database will run on machines without Access. You need these 'runtime' files or your database will only run on a machine with Access installed.

hth,
Jack

 

[new_user]

Do any of you recommend Windows XP Developer for me to complete my task, or should I try a different route?

Rachel, I know you said that you were having problems with it.

THANKS!

 

[Jack Cowley]

If you want to distribute your database you will have to buy the Developers Edition so you have the license to do so. Without the license you cannot legally distribute your database.

The PDW is just not a very intuitive tool to use and that is its biggest shortcoming, but it willl produce the necessary runtime version of your database...

Jack

 

[rube]

Packaging

Jack,
What do you use for Deployment? I have been using the PDW, on almost every install, it gives an error, but works just fine. I am looking for something to handle the errors, and prevent so many reboots, up to 3.

Rube

 

[pistolpinoy]

query on inno set-up

how do i use this inno set-up program and what are its functionalities.

i have many applications running under ms-access and wanted to distribute it to other PCs. my problem is these PCs does not have an ms-access.

thanks.

 

[rube]

inno

The Developers Edition of Office allows you to make a run-time installation of your access app which allows one to use it without owning access. Inno does not make an access app "executable" (installing the run-time files necessary to run an access app, not making it an .exe.)

I believe inno will allow you to package an app, but i do not think it allows you to distribute the PDW, if so i am not sure as i have just downloaded it. I know Wise will allow you to repackage your package.