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Installer question

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    Installer question

    I recently set up my first install package, and ran it on my PC to see what would happen.

    When setting up the install, I used the standard Alpha5 "Create install package" option. I didn't know what to put in the "Registry" part, so as is said it was optional, I didn't put anything in. I opted for "Desktop" in the shortcut location.

    It worked, but (a) it also changed my other desktop shortcuts from the developer version of A5 to the runtime version, and (b) I immediately started geting the �Error running addin �Startup_a5controls� :Could not open OLE object �a5controls.resources.9�� message (which I sorted out using Selwyn's instructions about manually registering controls).

    Any suggestions on how to improve this ? I'm thinking of looking at Astrum - would I be likely to get the same issues with this ?

    #2
    Re: Installer question

    Hi Pete,

    You have just taught yourself a very valuable lesson.

    When you create an Installer, to test it, you install it on another machine.
    Regards
    Keith Hubert
    Alpha Guild Member
    London.
    KHDB Management Systems
    Skype = keith.hubert


    For your day-to-day Needs, you Need an Alpha Database!

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Installer question

      Hmm ... really ? So if one of my buyers happens to have A5 on his machine already, are we saying that we can't safely install an A5 app without wrecking his existing systems ? And would the same problems arise if he already had another A5 runtime app on his PC ?

      Surely there must be a way to install an app without affecting existing software. If not, perhaps this needs looking at.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Installer question

        Hi Pete,

        Very interesting.

        I understand your comments but that was not your original question.

        You said "I'm thinking of looking at Astrum", I dont think that would make any difference to what you have now high-lighted.

        Another problem I have encountered, I have loaded an Alpha app that has its own icons, all my ADB files now have this other icon.
        Regards
        Keith Hubert
        Alpha Guild Member
        London.
        KHDB Management Systems
        Skype = keith.hubert


        For your day-to-day Needs, you Need an Alpha Database!

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Installer question

          Originally posted by Bonbon View Post
          I recently set up my first install package, and ran it on my PC to see what would happen.

          When setting up the install, I used the standard Alpha5 "Create install package" option. I didn't know what to put in the "Registry" part, so as is said it was optional, I didn't put anything in. I opted for "Desktop" in the shortcut location.

          It worked, but (a) it also changed my other desktop shortcuts from the developer version of A5 to the runtime version, and (b) I immediately started geting the �Error running addin �Startup_a5controls� :Could not open OLE object �a5controls.resources.9�� message (which I sorted out using Selwyn's instructions about manually registering controls).

          Any suggestions on how to improve this ? I'm thinking of looking at Astrum - would I be likely to get the same issues with this ?
          Hi Pete,

          I just got the same, "‘Startup_a5controls’ :Could not open OLE object ‘a5controls.resources.9’" error message after installing my test runtime. You indicated that Selwyn had instructions about manually registering controls. Could you post those instructions here so that I can get them. Thanks.

          That was a great comment you made about, "Surely there must be a way to install an app without affecting existing software." I hope Alpha resolves this issue soon because it is really critical. As demand for the various Alpha platforms increases, people whose time is critical won't fool around with something if there is a major flaw in the flexibility of the design interface. With people like that you usually get one chance to get it right and after that they are gone. We won't be taken seriously if we don't respect their time.

          As Alpha moves into more complex SQL platforms they will be addressing very serious IT personnel. If the Alpha platform is good but hasn't been adequately tested to take into account the whole environment, the IT decision makers just won't fool with it and we all suffer. The day of single user Mom and Pop runtimes is giving way to sophisticated a SQL/Web interface. The whole mentality is different. We won't get away with the old mindsets. I hope that lesson is learned sooner than later.

          Whereas, in times past, it was all about who got their stuff stuck up on the wall first. Now it is all about who can get their stuff out there without any major complications. Getting your stuff out their first will not be as important as the reputation for getting it out their right, the first time around. For the bigger users, they can't afford to make the wrong decision. This issue you raised is a major complication that should never have come up if we are to say that we are really on the ball. It is like a golf swing. You can have great form, a lot of power, but if you can't follow through and keep your eye on the ball, you loose. It isn't any more complicated than that.

          Kind regards,
          Gordon
          SCS

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Installer question

            I agree, in the past creating an install routine was very straight forward but now with V9 I am never certain as to what error messages my runtime clients will receive when loading my applications that run perfectly on my own licensed PC.

            Michael

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Installer question

              Hi Gordon,

              Selwyn's instructions (from a thread entitled "Alpha Five V9 serious Error") are as follows:

              "for some reason, registering some of the a5 controls on your machine has failed. normally these controls are registered when the a5 install program is run.

              you can register them manually.
              you will need to register a5controls.dll and a5contexteval.dll

              to register a control manually, you simply go to the a5 program folder and right click on the file and select "open with"
              you need to select regsvr32.exe (which is in the window/system32 folder)."


              Good luck - this worked for me (I registered these 2 dlls in the a5v9 developer program folder, not the runtime).

              In the meantime, I've been looking at Astrum, and although I haven't got it working 100% yet (must read the instructions some time), it looks as though this will work. I'll post results here either way.

              Best wishes

              Pete

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Installer question

                Good news - using Astrum Installer, it installs nicely (including an"uninstall" option), without affecting anyting else. The installer produced by Astrum looks good; you can opt for installing to start menu, desktop or both, and you can include / exclude / edit various install dialogues (licence agreements, readme files, minimum system requirement checks etc). Now to see if I can recover some of my outlay ...

                Pete

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Installer question

                  Astrum will be a big plus for you!
                  Dave Mason
                  [email protected]
                  Skype is dave.mason46

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Installer question

                    Originally posted by Bonbon View Post
                    Hi Gordon,

                    Selwyn's instructions (from a thread entitled "Alpha Five V9 serious Error") are as follows:

                    "for some reason, registering some of the a5 controls on your machine has failed. normally these controls are registered when the a5 install program is run.

                    you can register them manually.
                    you will need to register a5controls.dll and a5contexteval.dll

                    to register a control manually, you simply go to the a5 program folder and right click on the file and select "open with"
                    you need to select regsvr32.exe (which is in the window/system32 folder)."


                    Good luck - this worked for me (I registered these 2 dlls in the a5v9 developer program folder, not the runtime).

                    In the meantime, I've been looking at Astrum, and although I haven't got it working 100% yet (must read the instructions some time), it looks as though this will work. I'll post results here either way.

                    Best wishes

                    Pete
                    Hi Pete,

                    Thanks for the kind response. I will do as you suggested. I got "Install Creator" from off the web. It is free and has lots of options. I will let you know how it works as well. How much does Astrum cost?

                    Also, I need some advice on how to correctly code the default directory into the Alias section of the 'Settings' tab, so that regardless of where the user chooses to install the runtime and application, the rest of my graphics and other special files can be found. I should know this but I am not as versed on Windows default file names as I am with the Alpha desktop development platform.

                    Kind regards,
                    Gordon
                    SCS

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Installer question

                      Astrum has 2 versions, I believe the most expensive one is $89.
                      Alan

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Installer question

                        Originally posted by asawyer13 View Post
                        Astrum has 2 versions, I believe the most expensive one is $89.
                        Alan
                        Thanks Alan... Regards, Gordon

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Installer question

                          Hi Gordon,

                          I went for the $89 version, which allows you to do more or less whatever you want with the installation. I'm afraid I don't know about the Alias section of the 'Settings' tab - is this within Install Creator ? Perhaps someone else can help.

                          Best wishes,

                          Pete

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Installer question

                            Originally posted by Bonbon View Post
                            Hi Gordon,

                            I went for the $89 version, which allows you to do more or less whatever you want with the installation. I'm afraid I don't know about the Alias section of the 'Settings' tab - is this within Install Creator ? Perhaps someone else can help.

                            Best wishes,

                            Pete
                            Hi Pete,

                            I think I have seen some expression that identifies the application's root directory in Windows regardless of where the application is installed... it is similar to the alias function under Alpha. A developer really needs to know and work with this expression if the user installs in a directory other than the default.

                            Kind regards,
                            Gordon

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Installer question

                              Originally posted by GordonMac View Post
                              ...I just got the same, "�Startup_a5controls� :Could not open OLE object �a5controls.resources.9�" error message after installing my test runtime....
                              Are you sure you got it after installing your test app or did you get it after removing your test app?

                              There is a very important difference here. If your application install includes an install of the runtime, those .dll files that you install might be getting registered. Guess what happens if you then delete them - they're still registered but they ain't there for Windows to find!

                              When a file is registered, THAT file is registered - not just any file on the computer that happens to have the same name. So, if you run a test install of an application that includes a runtime install then delete that test install, you will have to re-register the files that were in your "regular" A5 exe folder. That could be called a Windows issue but I think it's more like "between the keyboard and chair" issue. I know because I've done it too - even with Astrum! (Isn't experience a great teacher.)

                              Comment

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