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Application on Memory Stick 2

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ZOR

Technical User
Jan 30, 2002
2,963
GB
Anyone played around with putting a completely stand alone application on a memory stick - Can it be done? It would be so good to have an application/runtime files/dll's etc on a device that you know will work when it gets given to a user. Just airing thoughts, wondered of the possibilities.
 
Please search for "Autorun" or "CD-ROM" in this forum where people are interested in distributing their app on optical media... it's essentially the same question.

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first
 
Thanks for the reply, however running an application totally on ON A CD cannot be done due to read/write limitations. Memory sticks are getting larger, cheaper, and possibly could hold a complete self supportive vb application???? Maybe/Maybe not, that is the question. Thanks
 
If you wanted to take it to its logical conclusion, with a big enough pen drive, say 512 MB or 1 GB, and a PC that can bee booted from a USB device, you could install the OS and everything on a memory stick and keep it all in your pocket when not in use. You would never have to worry about some other user deleting your file or changing your screen resolution or wallpaper. No one could access your data when you weren't there (although someone could knock you over the head and essentially steal your entire PC).
 
The usual problem is the VB runtime files. If you write a VB6 program you'll have problems on versions of Windows prior to Win2k, as the runtime files aren't there. Thus, you will need an installation program to make sure they get onto the user's PC.

(not to mention the MDAC needed, DCOM update for Win95, etc, etc.)

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first
 
Many thanks for the inputs. Oh well, that knocks that idea on the head, looks like never getting a way to put an application into service without the grief. Thanks again.
 
ZOR,

Try using Stand-Alone Express from Digit's Software. This packages the entire program, searches for all related DLLs, OCXs and files and packs them into one EXE that you can run from the USB Disk, We use this program this distribute Autorun-Capable VB Software on CD's and it should run ferpectly on the USB Disk.

Goto and search for [tt] Stand-Alone Express [/tt]
Read the reviews, and download the fully-functional 10-day trial. It's only 20€ to buy too!(about USD25 or GBP14 i think)

P.S. Our company has nothing to do with Digit's Software, we just use it!

Hope this helps,


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"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain
 
Thanks very much. Going to download it and give it a try. Looks very good in description. Thanks again
 
No Problem,

Keep us updated on your progress with the program and what you think of the software in this thread, I believe that this is the best proggie for developers in a long while.







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[tt]"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain[/tt]
 
Hi Jagg,
I downloaded the program and installed it. However using Windows98SE, get an error message 434 when clicking Build. Displays a message "Cant find DLL entry point UpdatedLayeredWindow in user 32. I've emailed Sofotex and await their reply. Will let you know more when I get it to run. Many thanks again
 
ZOR,

First, are you scanning a VB project for the Files or are you scanning the final EXE?

Second, What build method are you using (mem or installation)

Thirdly, do you use USER32.DLL in your app? and if so, are you sure that your referencing in your program (i.e. UpdatedLayerWindow) is functioning correctly.

Maybe 434 is a program error, I've tested it on XP, 2K, NT and 95c and not experienced any problems, maybe it's something in 98SE's version of user32?
You are going the right way about it (e-mailing them) anyway, Hope all works out OK.

Good Luck!

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[tt]"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain[/tt]
 
Thanks Jag. All I have done is installed the software package. From the Windows Start menu gone to Programs/StandaloneEpress. There are only two items there, Build and Manual. I select Build and get the error. I don't get the chance to run the programme to select anything? Thanks
 
Zor,

Then it's obviously not the settings! lol

I'm gonna look into it now on a freshly-installed 98SE partition.

Get back to you in about 15mins (2320hrs BST)



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[tt]"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain[/tt]
 
Just looked in the directory of SA Xpress, and found an instal log which quotes "Could not Self-Register: C:\Program Files\SA Xpress\stalxp.dll" Don't know if thats a clue. I tried using regsvr32 to register it but get an error "Load Library("stalxp.dll") failed GetLastError returns 0x0000000b. Thanks
 
Just tested it on 98SE and got exactly the same symptoms (inc. Install.LOG)
Unless you can use it on another OS, I suggest that the e-mailing of digitsoft is the best course of action.

Sorry about this bud, i wasn't aware of the problems on 98SE.

Hope all goes well, keep in touch.



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[tt]"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain[/tt]
 
Thanks very much Jag for confirming the problem is there on 98SE. I have emailed them so hopefully they will get back to me. I will any replies I get on the Forum so you can see the information. Thanks again for all your help.
 
No problem bud,

As a matter of point, did you e-mail DigitSoft using the address from the manual provided with StalXP?

support@digitsoft.cjb.net

It's just that you said before that you e-mailed sofotex, and they are just distributors.

Hope all goes OK,







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[tt]"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain[/tt]
 
Thanks Jag, sorry to have confused you. Yes I emailed digisoft after going from Sofotex to their homepage. No answers/replies as yet. Thanks again
 
Hi Jag, and others interested. I had a reply from my emails and there is a build version for use on Windows 98SE. I downloaded it and played with it but for some reason its 10 day trial period expired. However the basic testing I did on it makes me really quite keen so far. The ability to wrap .ocx's and Dll's in with the .exe so there is only the .exec to distribute makes it very attrasctive. Although more testing to be done, looks like I have an application on a memory stick. Many thanks again, will let you know how I progress with it. Got this link for the Windows 98 version


Best regards
 
Glad to see you worked it out,

Hope it all goes well.
I've been using StalXP on WinXP for some time now, it works a dream. The only complaint I have is that i can't seem to get fonts to install on the dest PC using StalXP.

Can anyone shed any light on Installing/Registering Fonts through Code... as the software will quite willingly copy INTO the fonts folder, just not register them.



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[tt]"Do not put off until tomorrow what you cannot put off until the day after tomorrow just as well." - Mark Twain[/tt]
 
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