Deployment of Crystal 8.5 reports

[cfriedberg]

What are the appropriate steps needed to install Crystal report designers with a VB 6.0 application? The designers are created by adding a Crystal 8.5 report.

We are developing on Windows XP machines and need to deploy on both Windows 2000 and Windows XP machines.

Carolyn

 

[kenhamady]

Not sure what you mean. Do you mean you want to install the full Crystal Reports program with each install of your application? Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[cfriedberg]

I want to only install the VB application which contain Crystal reports as "Designers" in the VB project.

Since I initially posted this query, I did go through and added files through the Deployment Wizard so that Craxdrt.dll, CRViewer.dll, CRDesignerCtrl.dll, Craxddrt.dll, Mfc42.dll, Msvcrt.dll, Msvcp60.dll, Comdlg32.dll, Comctl32.dll, Msvcirt.dll, and P2smon.dll.

I then created an installation package with a setup file. The setup.lst had to have two of the files changed from DllSelfRegister: to @msado25.tlb,$(WinSysPath),$(tlbRegister) and @activeds.tlb,$(WinSysPath),$(tlbRegister).

When I got all this together, I tried to use the setup again. Then there is a message that says some of the files are outdated and offers to update them for me. I press the OK button and go through the same ordeal again. There is nothing but this message over and over.

There is still no set up on my machine.

 

[kenhamady]

I don't think you can install CR designers as part of a VB application - at least not without spending a significant amount of money in royalties.

Are you expecting end users to be able to open a design environment within your app?

Is this something that you expect to get for free as part of having the Developer's Edition?

Just allowing your application to create reports requires a license fee. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[cfriedberg]

I think I am not being clear enough in describing my delima.

Even if it requires rolyalties, I still need to be able to deploy the application.

When I developed my VB application, I added a Crystal report as a designer in the VB project. (The end users are not creating reports, they will be displaying them only.)

The problem is that the Package and Deployment Wizard is not allowing me to create the setup properly.

The installs tells me that there needs to be certain(?) system files updated, but when I click OK, and the updating is supposed to have been done and I reboot, the same thing happens again.

I am so baffled.

Carolyn

 

[kenhamady]

I am not familiar with that error.

If you are just trying to have your app launch canned reports, then there is no royalty or fee involved. However, you are listing CRAXDDRT.DLL, which is the runtime design library and it has report creation APIs in it. You should not need this file for a normal VB application, and if you use it you will have to pay royalties to deploy. This file is easily confused with CRAXDRT.DLL which is needed for adding a Crystal designer form (DSR) to the project.


Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[cfriedberg]

Even if I have not paid the royalties, would I actually be prevented from installing my VB application? Is the royalty fee payment on an honor basis, or is there a key that needs to be installed at the same time?

Carolyn

 

[kenhamady]

I think (but am not sure) that v8.x was on the honor system. With v9 you have to pay first.

I don't think that the royalties in themselves are causing the problem. I am pointing out files that you probably don't need. By adding files that you don't need you are going to find it more difficult to troubleshoot your problem. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[befine]

Ken
Could you point out where in the EULA it talks about distributions royalties for 8.5 and 9. I have a client who wants to do something similar to above. I've tried reading the EULA and it keeps putting me to sleep. Even while standing up. %-)

Thanks

 

[kenhamady]

Points 5.1.1 amd 5.1.2 Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[kenhamady]

Also look in the file called 'License.hlp' for explanations. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com