How to copy new exe files to computers

[bebbo]

Whoever reads the above question will probably think "why is someone asking such a simple question?" However the problem I have is I need to be able to update "exe" files remotely. These programs run on Kiosk around large buildings. Therefore I need to know if I can shut down a Foxpro program remotely, copy a new file to the PC, then restart the program. All this has to be done via a network. Is it possible or does some one have a better idea to send updated programs????

Thanks

Bebbo

 

[BlindPete]

FoxDev and ThomasDill have both given details about this before. A search of this forum will probably find it. -Pete

 

[BlindPete]

I could not find the thread in a search but

As I recall they had a central table that each APP had to access in order to run and would re-query (say every 5 minutes or so). The results of the query could tell the APP to shutdown.

For example the table could have three fields
RemoteName: Remote's Name or ID
RemotePath: \\Servername\path\exename
Status: 0 or 1

Essentially each app would query the table and determine what it's status should be. You could make this much more complicated, but 0 = do nothing where as 1 = shutdown.

Since the central table also stores the paths to the EXEs it could be used to automate the update too.

Just a thought -Pete

 

[bebbo]

Pete

Thanks, I did look through different threads. I have in the past sent a file to the PC. If this file exists then the program shuts down, obviously at a convenient time. Within our setup file we have got a list of the computer names/shared as. This is used for the updates. The real problem I have is how would I restart the application. Only thing I could think of is if there is a way I could reboot the remote PC I could have my exe file in the startup procedure.

However there is a potential problem with this. How would I stop anyone walking pass the kiosk while I'm updating playing about with the Windows DeskTop????? Is there any other way I can restart the program???

Thanks for your help. If you have any further suggestions I would be greatful.

 

[BlindPete]

Remote Application Start.

I'm justing shooting from the hip here, there must be a better way.

You could have a second VFP application that runs all the time and checks the same central file. this app would be in each Kiosk's Starup, and would run when the machine is rebooted.

startupEXE

If the file is there

check if the App is running

Not running then

RUN /N C:\{blah}\{blah}.exe

or soemthing like that. Somebody here as already done this will hopefully have a complete example for you. -Pete

 

[dgrewe]

I have a similar problem. My solution was to run the EXE from the local hard drive. The EXE is copied from the network to the Local hard drive where it is started. I wrote a small program called loader that starts all my VFP/FPW programs. You can drop the Run attrib commands. The company I'm with now is Obsessed with Anti-Virus Methods.

Parameter pcExe
set talk off
set safety off
on error **
md c:\temp
run /n2 attrib -r ("c:\temp\"+pcExe)
=inkey(1)
Copy File (pcExe) to ("c:\temp\"+pcExe)
=inkey(1)
run /n2 attrib +r ("c:\temp\"+pcExe)
=inkey(1)
on error
set default to c:\temp
do (pcExe)

The only exe file you can not update is this loader file. David W. Grewe
Dave@internationalbid.com

 

[BlindPete]

You might these FAQs helpful too

faq184-839 How to prevent an application to start twice on the computer

faq184-221 Start exe w/o the run command -Pete