Shortcuts that work on CD's?

Cresby · Jun 4, 2004

I haven't found a post or FAQ that comes close.

The problem is the "not knowing the directives" in the Shortcuts syntax that will allow me to specify a file in the same directory

All I get is the full path and drive and any simple edit is invalid. Isn't there a "%????" directive that implies look "here" (or up the tree not back to the root)?

That way I can put it on a CD and not worry that the drive letter is unknown at burn time.

TIA and apologies if it is boringly simple.

Cresby

edfair · Jun 4, 2004

maybe .\program for the current directory or ..\for the next level up and I have used multiples like ..\..\..\ to get higher in the tree.

But all mine have been at command line, so I don't know if it will work as you are calling them.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

TekTippy4U · Jun 4, 2004

Give more of an example of what you want to do ;
use filename1.xxx and filename2.xxx etc to distinguish in example, and use thisdir1 etc to show directories.
You may have to burn the cds using joliet as a supplementary volume descriptor .
or do i completely misunderstand the request?

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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Cresby · Jun 14, 2004

.\ and ..\ do not work in shortcuts - as far as I can see.

I vaguely remember seeing %blahblah in some shortcuts.

I looked at an Itel CD and similar commercial CD's and have two apps that will do the job I think, on has a Microsoft copywrite so I guess it is OK to use. Ithink it was called START but it is back at work and I am not right now.

If Intel have to resort to such apps I would bet that shortcuts do not do the job.

Basically I want to run HTML documents on a CD and prefer to specify a browser on the CD to guarantee the look and feel of the result.

The CD will be given away and I will not know what the OS is nor their browser so I leave as many options as possible - a fallback position with the option for Mac users to see the results by loading the .HTM files into the Mac browser.

MiggyD · Jun 14, 2004

Can you give us a sample scenario?

... syntax that will allow me to specify a file in the same directory ...

do you mean something like:

Code:

<html>
<head>
   <title>My Listing</title>
</head>

<body>
<a href=".\00000001.jpg"><img src=".\00000001.jpg" height=200 width=175)></a>
<a href=".\00000002.jpg"><img src=".\00000002.jpg" height=200 width=175)></a>
</body>
</html>

Obviously, you'll need some JPGs in the current directory (with the above names) in order to use this example.

But, is this what you're talking about? from within the browser?
--MiggyD

TekTippy4U · Jun 14, 2004

Are you looking for %PATH%...%TEMP% %windir% or similar to specify the default path to a file?
The START command is used to basically lauch a command from a batch file.

Basically I want to run HTML documents on a CD and prefer to specify a browser on the CD to guarantee the look and feel of the result.
wouldn't this be a problem if they don't "actually" have the specified browser installed on their HDD?

there are html standards to use -

Code:

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>

Mozilla's "Composer" (html editor) has a Built-in check for the standards, once created.....from the Tools menu >> Validate HTML

I'm definitely no programmer, but using CSS or XML possibly should keep the layout the same I think, no matter which browser

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

drrwt · Jul 5, 2004

I have, I think, the same question (for any version of Windows). Let me try and be more specific about what I want to do.

I am creating a CD image for duplication. I have several executable programs, each in it's own folder on the CD. What I want to do is write a set of shortcuts that would be visible when the user first opens the CD that would run the various executables. I can NAME the CD, but won't know, for certain, the drive letter.

For example: CD name PHYSICS
folder name ANIMATED_CHALKBOARD
sub folder name ACB_MOTION
executable name MOTION.exe

How would create a shortcut that sits in the root directory of PHYSICS and points to MOTION.exe?

I have been trying to create the image on my desktop--that doesn't seem to work at all since the shortcut wizard won't proceed if it can't find the path, and the path it wants is the full desktop path.

I haven't tried yet with a DIRECT-CD prepared disk (Roxio's burning software), but experience so far suggests that would imprint the current drive letter on the shortcut.

So the question really is, how to specify a shortcut path ON A CD that doesn't include the drive letter, and then how to get that shortcut actually burned onto the CD.

rwt

TekTippy4U · Jul 5, 2004

again;
not sure I understand the question exactly, though you've taken the time to explain your particular issue in detail, which is good.
When I make backups to cdr using Nero 5.5 or 6 , I take a snapshot of the directory structure that exists in certain folders (via drag-n-drop the main folder with all it's subdirectories, files, executables, shortcuts in tact), and then burn.

or try this as a Shortcut;
file://animated_chalkboard/acb_motion/motion.exe

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

TekTippy4U · Jul 5, 2004

BTW;
You may need 3 forward slashes
file:///animated_chalkboard/acb_motion/motion.exe

or even try with (2, or 3 backslashes) - file:\\ or file:\\\animated_chalkboard\acb_motion\motion.exe

funny how i recall now, the file protocol, which seems it would help the original thread starter Cresby being it's in the http/html context (forward slashes - though hopefully it'll help others (as long as it works) [smile]

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

drrwt · Jul 5, 2004

I've found something that works. The tips above are about creating internet shortcuts--or at least that what is produced when I try. I want a shortcuts in the root directory of a CD that can start programs buried farther down in a folder structure.

What works is to put all the software on a DirectCD formatted disk and then write shortcuts directly to that CD. The entire contents of the DirectCD disk can then be burned onto a CD-R. What is strange about this is that I am writing the DirectCD disk on drive E: and the shortcuts that get created start out with E:\, but these shortcuts work even when I place the disk in my D:\ drive.

HOWEVER, I also tried writing a shortcut on my desktop that pointed to files on a CD-R (left open for writing), then burned the shortcut on the CD-R. Now these shortcuts work only if the disk is in the E:\ drive, not in the D:\ drive.

The shortcuts look the same to me--created on the DirectCD disk or the desktop, but they work differently when burned onto the CD-R.

rwt

Cresby · Jul 7, 2004

drrwt has the same problem

it is universal

If you blow a CD the drive letter on any shortcuts are fixed by the blowing of the CD and can not change.

by distributing CD's the recipient sticks it in their CD ROM drive who's drive letter can be anything from D: to Z: and as such has 22 chances of not working.

The problem is nothing to do with HTML. It is a Windows shortcut limitation. If Intel has to use START then I guess that is the only way round it. I can find no directive within the shortcut syntax that will say "use this drive not a fixed drive letter" - not ".\" nor even "..\" - %PATH% will not find the CD ROM drive letter -

The executable I wish to use from the CD ROM happens to be a Browser but could be any app. I even wrote a "START" type app in VB6 but was looking for a standard approach. I guess START is a good start. (all groans accepted #

Thanx for all your thoughts

TekTippy4U · Jul 7, 2004

You need to use SCRIPTS.

How do you think AUTORUN Works?

IE is TOTALLY integrated into the OS, so there is NO "Internet" only...and the FILE protocol works fine

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

TekTippy4U · Jul 7, 2004

I guess I'm having trouble understanding the prob as well as you are explaining....anyways,
See these freewares

http://www.webattack.com/freeware/system/fwcdrtools.html

CD START and CD FRONT END

for possible other useful info - see this too

http://www.mikasalonen.com/drive/

though only just found through a google, and don't know if info/tool applies in helping your particular situation

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

TekTippy4U · Jul 7, 2004

Correction;
CD FRONT END costs ~99 USD
CD START is freeware, though it says not well documented and not for novices and you'll still need to make your own autorun.inf

there's also a couple of other free proggies to look at such as;
"UF AutoRun Creator" and "Autorun Creator"

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

DucatiST2 · Jul 7, 2004

There is one called shellrun as well.

http://www.phdcc.com/shellrun/

TekTippy4U · Jul 7, 2004

Yes;
I see a little more clearly the dilemma now, and I understand how, it will not work. (a standard shortcut).
I've recently had some time for a little experimentation using 'regular' shortcuts myself (curiousity has bitten).
Forget using the file:// protocol for now (I know it can be used somehow, someway, cause it can be used to span mapped network drives. It may "need" to be created as an Internet Shortcut per se, but who cares, as long as it works).

Also, I know an INF can be written to invoke a script, or actually vice-versa. (I know from looking at my many System CDROMS, and how they can invoke Autorun and from there - allow/bring up a GUI to choose to either browse CD or Install components, or just use Tabs to configure)

Anyways;
I was able to change this Desktop shortcut
Target = C:\WINDOWS\CLIPBRD.EXE to
Target = %WINDIR%\CLIPBRD.EXE
and it works.
(all my attempts at any file:// of any kind failed).
Obviously, the sys has the default path statement (for C:\WINDOWS) loaded already through either msdos.sys or environment variables set using SET in Autoexec.bat.
But the question I am now asking myself is - What is the default path for the CD?
**Wonder if you "surrround" the "Volume Label" (Root Directory Name) of the burned CDROM with a pair of "%" as in %VolumeLabelName%.
**Wonder if Burning in the UDF Format (CDRW) will work (pre-formatting) - I think this is what drrwt was getting at. Win98 and better can read UDF easily. Though I wouldn't want to spend time "Pre-formatting"
** Wonder if using the Joliet's "secondary" volume descriptor is necessary for function, and if it will work. (I've successfully burned backup CDRs using Joliet and it allowed me to keep ALL the Long File Names "exactly" as they were, with no limitation of 8.3 or even ~35 or so characters limitation).

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

Cresby · Jul 12, 2004

Thanx TekTippy4U

But I was trying to avoid using the user's browser so that I could control the look and feel. (I use IE 5.5, Netscape 4.5 and Firefox to check the appearance) Anyway the user can opt to use their own browser. If they are savvy enough they are on their own.

My VB6 app couldn't have been simpler and only eats-up about 1Mb (for 5 lines of code). There is an AppPath instruction which finds where itself is - the rest is trivial.

drrwt · Jul 12, 2004

Been out of town...

Just spent the day testing my technique, and will detail what I found. It may be of use.

To be clear, what I am trying to do is to create a CD image that has a set of shortcuts that will be visible when the user first opens the CD-ROM and which will run various programs that are buried in a folder/subfolder structure on the CD. The shortcuts need to work regardless of what drive the CD is in.

What I've done:

1) Format a CD-RW as a DirectCD disk using Roxio's software. This then creates a virtual hard drive where one can write and delete files in real time, just like a hard drive.

2) I copy all of the software (folders/subfolders) onto this CD-RW which is in Drive E:\.

3) I then use the Windows shortcut Wizard to create shortcuts directly on the CD-RW. These shortcuts have E:\ in both the Target and Starting parameters.

4) I then place the completed CD-RW disk in my D: drive which is a simple CD-ROM reader.

5) I place black CD-R in the E: drive and using Roxio's EasyCD Creator I basically copy the CD-RW onto the CD-R and burn it.

6) I can now place the CD-R in EITHER drive (D: or E

and under WinXP the shortcuts work fine. (Also tried a drive G: on another machine). Checked this on several XP machines.

7) On a Win-Me machine, clicking the shortcut brings up a dialog box saying that the file in question is not on any drive, BUT if I click OK the programs then run.

8) While I need to double check this, I think the shortcuts work on both Win95 and Win98 machines.

HOWEVER.................

The above procedure was done on my home XP machine. I tried it on my office XP machine and had some anomalies. FIRST the Shortcut Wizard would not recognize anything beyond the first folder on the CD-RW as I was trying to create shortcuts. I could manually put in the rest of the path and the shortcuts were written.

All the shortcuts created this way seem to work, independent of the drive letter of the machine used, under WinXP. BUT...the shortcuts written on the office machine DID NOT work on Win95 and Win98 machines....although I had a couple of shortcuts that had been written on my home machine in this mix and they WORKED!

It also seems that you CAN create a CD image on the hard drive (from the CD-RW) to use for burning the CD-R (that option is built in Roxio...and I had to use it because the office machine has only one CD drive.)

Anyway....It looks like I can do what I want, but am not at all sure that the procedure here is general. I have no explanation for why my home machine and office machines seem to create different shortcuts--ones that work universally in XP but work in other Windows versions only if from my home machine.

FWIW

rwt

TekTippy4U · Jul 12, 2004

All I can add is;
you said;
1) Format a CD-RW as a DirectCD disk using Roxio's software. This then creates a virtual hard drive where one can write and delete files in real time, just like a hard drive.

This is what is called the UDF file system (Universal Disk Format) or (Packeted) as I suspected and noted in my earlier post .....and 98/ME can read UDF 1.02.
***Windows 98 can read UDF version 1.02 disks. Windows 2000 can read UDF version 1.02 and version 1.50. The Windows operating system supports write capability in future versions of the operating system.***
so this may have something to do with the "anomalies".

Also, should note 98/ME is NOT a UNICODE text based system, whereas 2K/XP are. Don't know how much this info, along with the various CD-R/RW players and the actual Media itself (varying manu) factors into all this.....Plus Older players seem to have some problems when reading disks made on Newer, Faster Players. (Big ANOMALY).

these last two may not be a factor for you, though others following may have probs without Admin rights, when testing on Corp. office machines.
Copyright protection as a possible factor? (varying RW packet-writing software manufacturers, even though UDF is a Standard)
Your office security setup? (especially User Profile rights vs Admin).

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

BionicJohn · Jul 12, 2004

Hi, Cresby,

I don't know if this wil help - have a look at winopen.

http://www.duckware.com/winopen/index.html

" WinOpen will open any file type as long as the computer running your CD has a program associated with that file type (eg: pdf, avi, mpg, doc, txt, bmp, jpg). "

In other words, when the CD is put in the drive, any file you wish to open, will, as part of the "autorun.inf" process.

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

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