How do you set MS Visual Installer shortcut arguments?

[TheQuestioner]

I've written an application using VB, Access, and several other dependent files. I can create a working MSI deployment package except that I cannot find a way of setting the following shorcut command argment for one of my shortcuts:-

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\MyAppFolder\MyApp.mde" /WRKGRP "C:\MyAppFolder\MySecurityFile.mdw" /runtime

This all needs to be one continous string. I know that MSI Installer shortcut arguments have certain syntax and keywords, but can't find any *useful* information on it.

Can anyone help me?

 

[vladk]

TheQuestioner,

The Package and Deployment Wizard offers Start Menu Items window. That window has Properties button. Click it. In the next window in the Target field, add your shortcut args after the exe name, and click OK button.

vladk

 

[TheQuestioner]

vladk,

Unfortunately I'm using Visual Studio Installer not Package and Deployment Wizard (gave up on it years ago).

 

[newbiecel]

hello for shortcut, go to project explorer>>>target machine folder>>>click file system after that you will see a window
where you will see a folder application folder, users desktop folder etc.

then click application folder find your exe >>>right clik your mouse choose create shortcut

after that drag the created shortcut exe anywhere in the user's desktop folder or user's start menu


am i able to help?

 

[newbiecel]

that's for MSI installer

 

[TheQuestioner]

Nice try newbiecel,

However, the procedure you have mentioned creates a simple shortcut to an file that is within the MSI package. What I need to do is create a shortcut which has the following arguments

"<file path to Access exe>" "<File path to my app>" /WRKGRP "<file path to secuirity file>" /runtime

How do I implement these arguments into the shortcut? As I mentioned before, I am aware that MSI has certain keywords for shortcut arguments, but can't I seem to find a way of doing something as simple as what I want?

 

[newbiecel]

i see, im sorry i have no idea about that

=)

 

[koala15]

Hmmmm.... it worked a month or so ago!

Anyway try here

http://ftp.agh.edu.pl/pub/tex/tools/zip/info-zip/

but be prepared to be overloaded with information.

&quot;Life is full of learning, and then there is wisdom&quot;

 

[TheQuestioner]

Sorry koala15, but I don't see how a link to a freeware ZIP utility is going to help my problems with the MSI shortcut arguments syntax? Have you posted on the wrong thread?

 

[madlarry]

If you are using the Visual Studio Installer you can use the Orca tool to modify the MSI file for your installation:

The following link shows how to install Orca.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255905

You will then be able to modify the 'Shortcut' table within the MSI file to add the path to the access application.

In the shortcut you can specify placeholders such as [TARGETDIR] which will return the value of where the user install the application (e.g "C:\MyAppFolder\). Placeholders can also be used within the Visual Studio installer environment (for example in registry entries).

 

[koala15]

Gee ... yes wrong thread.

I must using a "multi-appartment" threading model!!! he, he,he.

Sorry folks.

&quot;Life is full of learning, and then there is wisdom&quot;

 

[TheQuestioner]

Thanks madlarry,

I did find some information on Orca before this thread (BTW it stands for "One Really Cool App" - according to the author). But I couldn't find a way of downloading it apart from the massive Windows Installer SDK.

As you mentioned, Orca lets you look at the table stucture of an MSI and edit it directly. I still can't find much info on the syntax of the shortcut arguments – but I have managed to find a direct download link that will download the Orca.msi install package (

http://bbs.ondemandsoftware.com/downloads/orca.msi).

(Be greatful people, I spent a long time searching for this on Google)

Anyone got a more clearer idea of the available syntax for arguments within MSI shortcuts?