Hey guys,
If there's already a way to do this, please tell me; otherwise, this could be a suggestion for some genius to try his skills at.
A lot of developers don't provide .cab files to install their software directly to pocket pc. So when you're browsing the internet on your device and you find a program you want to try out, you have to download the .exe file to your pc and install it from there.
Now those .exe files usually do nothing more than putting some help files on your pc and copying the .cab to your pda. So the .cab file is contained somewhere within the .exe installer, possibly in some encoded form I guess, but it should be possible to extract it, right? That way you could install software on the go, regardless wether or not the developer offers a cab file to download.
I can only make this suggestion... actually programming it is not my cup of tea. The last time I did any programming I was 13 or something. It was the early nineties and I was trying to make my own OPL version of Mortal Kombat on a Psion Organiser II 64. Killer graphics, man. Unfortunately it never got beyond beta.
Good luck...
well most of the exe files you install to your pc using activesync are just selfextracting zip files and if you rename them to zip you can often open them and copy out the cab file you want
i dont think the market for an install script / program generator for pocketpc is big enough for people to spend too much time developing it
and they can be pretty complex if you look at wiseInstall master on pc which have a world of option and it's own programming langauge of sorts
Thanks, I'll try that out.
It's more or less as I thought: since every install program is its own decoder/unpacker/etc., the form in which they're encoded can be different for every type of installer, and it would be very hard to cater for all the types out there. Oh well... pity...
A lot of people use the Open Source installer:
ezsetup.exe
You will see this almost everywhere. Even MS use it, despite their scourge of Open Source. It takes a CAB file, adds an End User Licence, a ReadMe, and bundles together into a program which dumps it's output as a cab on the device, then installs the cab.
Since this is open source, you can see exactly how it works here:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/ezsetup/?en
I am sure it would be simple to write a version which just extracted the CAB file from an existing archive.
Ben
Related
Hey guys,
I just got the 8525 last week and so far I like it. I have been searching the net and p2p for games, programs, etc but I am a lil confused. I tried loading .rar files but they dont work and when I load software then remove it I get an exe error when I have to perform a soft reboot. Can anyone help me with info on what apps, games, etc I can load onto this phone? I have several of games and apps that I found on the net I can share if someone can direct me to an upload link.
Also I have the tomtom 6 but only with Guam maps, does anyone know how I can get USA maps.
Thanks brotha.
Welcome to the forum!
First, just to make it clear (I am not accusing you of anything but this particular forum name sometimes confuses new users) we do not discuss warez and cracks here.
The 'hacking' part refers to exploiting hidden functionality of the phones and not defeating software protection.
Now, here is a quick explanation on software installation on Windows Mobile based devices:
1) If you download ZIP, RAR or EXE file you need to unpack and run it on a PC while the phone is connected through ActiveSync. There are programs (including freeware) that can open RAR and ZIP files on the device, but chances are they will still contain a program that needs to be ran on the PC.
2) If you have a CAB file (www.freecabs.de lets you download free software in CAB format straight to your phone) you need to open file explorer and click on it to install.
when I load software then remove it I get an exe error when I have to perform a soft reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite sure what you mean by this. If you installed some software, then uninstalled it and now you are getting a message at start up that some file can not be found, open file explorer (on the phone), navigate to windows\startup and see if there is any unnecessary shortcut there. If so delete it.
Good luck!
Hi peeps,
Is there an app or a trick where I can run an .exe file on my UK Vario without having to hook up to my pc?
TIA
What exe? How are you getting the file on to your phone?
V
When I'm out and fancy downloading something I generally download direct to my device and as a rule everything a in exe format so need a PC to run the app, game etc.
Not a particular exe just in general
Thanks
I think he meant that how can he extract the stuff he wants from a SETUP.EXE of a PPC software.
If it is an EXE, you can run (still need a PC) it on a PC, check the temp folder and get the CAB file. Copy and run this on your PPC.
Many thanks for the info, not quite what I mean.
For example I'm at work and browsing some ppc freeware I find this file pocketpictureinstall.exe and download it direct to my device.
Thats it I dont have my home pc to hand just my Vario and unless I run ActiveSync which I can't at work there is no way it will run on my device.
Is there any software out there that would allow me to provide the .cab files local on the device or just run the app?
Thanks again.
No not really. There are possible apps you could compile for the PPC to assist, but you'd have to be a coder. If not, then the easy answer is typically no - but many websites offer the choice to download the installer in cab format.. Look around.
V
Can someone PLS recommend to me an easy to use CAB creation utility.
I have tried these three and none meet my needs:
Makecab (command line which is too complex for me)
QuickCab (looks real promising but the build process is not working for me in Vista)
PPC Installation creator by Aperitto (Worked for me in the past, but is now chopping up my PNG image files so what gets placed in the CAB is a corrupted PNG file.)
I am not making an application. I just want to be able to use it to place several image and xml files in different folders on a Diamond to modify skins and the TF3D/Manila interface. Also perhaps slight mods to registry.
Is there something else out there that I can use to make a CAB file containing these sort of things. I know that this terribly amateur hour compared to what all you Developers and Chefs do. So I'd appreciate any recommendations of easy to use tools to do this. Thnx..
Try this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427438
Tried it too and at present it is not working either. So I need something other than these four:
Makecab (command line which is too complex for me)
QuickCab (looks real promising but the build process is not working for me in Vista)
PPC Installation creator by Aperitto (Worked for me in the past, but is now chopping up my PNG image files so what gets placed in the CAB is a corrupted PNG file.)
Install Builder 0.7 (Cabs will not install to my Diamond)
Any others out there?
I use WinCE Cab Manager from OCP Software
but it's not free
Try this one: Win CE Cab Manager
it's not free but you have a 30 days trial, and seems to work with my Kaiser with latest 6.1 cooked rom.
http://www.ocpsoftware.com/products.php?nm=cecabmgr
Thanks will take a look at the trial. But Really $100 for a program to copy 5 files onto a PDA is never going to be viable for me. I just want to be able to distribute 5 small files to mates in way they can automatically install them into WM to two different folders without stuffing it up.
Hi,
I'm currently working on a few tools, and want to know what features would be liked by cooks/users or anyone really.
The first tool is an exe generator for hot fixes. Simply put, you plug some files into it, and it generates an exe that can be run on the target device which will do all the hot fixes.
The advantages it gives:
No more cabs!
Can use a custom icon for the exe if desired
Things like messing around with setup.dll files doesn't need to happen, and an application can be launched after install if wanted
Files can be deleted
File properties can be changed
Can use XMLs
Can edit registry
Can install files
Since it's written in native C++, it should run without a hitch on WM5+ devices, whether or not they have .Net whatever...
The second tool is an AutoRun/UC/whatever like system that simply searches through a folder, finds all cabs/xmls/provxmls and then installs them. This means there's no reliance on autorun for parsing config files, or any other requirements. Again, it's written in native C++ so is better
Any suggestions/ideas would be welcome!
Oh, and once I've got slightly further, both these will be released as open source. Probably.
l3v5y said:
Hi,
I'm currently working on a few tools, and want to know what features would be liked by cooks/users or anyone really.
The first tool is an exe generator for hot fixes. Simply put, you plug some files into it, and it generates an exe that can be run on the target device which will do all the hot fixes.
The advantages it gives:
No more cabs!
Can use a custom icon for the exe if desired
Things like messing around with setup.dll files doesn't need to happen, and an application can be launched after install if wanted
Files can be deleted
File properties can be changed
Can use XMLs
Can edit registry
Can install files
Since it's written in native C++, it should run without a hitch on WM5+ devices, whether or not they have .Net whatever...
The second tool is an AutoRun/UC/whatever like system that simply searches through a folder, finds all cabs/xmls/provxmls and then installs them. This means there's no reliance on autorun for parsing config files, or any other requirements. Again, it's written in native C++ so is better
Any suggestions/ideas would be welcome!
Oh, and once I've got slightly further, both these will be released as open source. Probably.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, this sounds very very promising. Can't wait!
dwizzy130
yeah some user friendly and easy to understand specialy editing the rom or making add/remove programs EASILY is the best specialy to noobs like me when cooking ROMS all in one tool with advance AI for error checking
Sounds very attractive. go on my friend.....
Sounds good mate
I'm looking for a tool to easily make a setup.dll. Like setup.dll maker/generator/wizard.
Seems the only tools I can ever found is from e-pocketsetup, but that company was sold to another company and the product was never available since then.
I know cooks hate a cabs with a setup.dll. But seems without setup.dll a cab installer can not execute some little complicated actions. And it is impossible to make a setup.dll without grasp a computer language like c++.
Edit: Found another one: setupdllcreator , but it's not strong enough and not freeware.
Edit: If these can be realized, a setup.dll maker is much less needed:
No more cabs!
Can use a custom icon for the exe if desired
Things like messing around with setup.dll files doesn't need to happen, and an application can be launched after install if wanted
Files can be deleted
File properties can be changed
Can use XMLs
Can edit registry
Can install files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But we need above mentioned fubctionalities to be DYNAMIC, like:
Can detect availability of certain reg entries or installed apps, base on the result to decide which variants of install files to be installed, or whether some supporting apps like netcf or mortscript to be installed. Or can detect device id, resolutions, drivers to decide what to do.
Otherwise it still can not completely replace setup.dll.
But if dynamic actions can be executed, wow that's a dream of developers & hackers and even common users can benefit from that, a real revolution !
woww can wait for realese
l3v5y said:
Any suggestions/ideas would be welcome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'm posting my requests again, the idea is this: It will be much helpful if I can know what is happening/changed in the registry after I did anything to my WM devices. So maybe you can develop a tool to monitor & log the real-time changes of registry. Or at least we can have a registry-comparision tool on ppc.
Another thing is it seems we don't have a file structure viewer on ppc, not the stuff like total commander etc., want to export the file structure to a file like .txt or .jpg.
Update: Now my idea is clearer for this, what I suggest would be a System Snopshot program to realize this:
Can make a system snapshot to record the registry content, file structure, ram usage etc.
The snapshot can be initialized in the similiar way of CapSure screen capture program, i.e., a hardwre button, a fixed time, a screen tap, a program launch, etc., defined by user.
Can choose a full system snapshot or only on selected part of registr, file system etc.
Can generate a file containing the recorded system condition.
Can compare any two system snapshot result and generate a comparision chart/change log.
So I've posted my requests as per your request, whether or not you'll do it is not my business lol.
Update: Found SK Tracker, cost EUR9.95, so forget this one. Why I did not know it in the past?!
Hi all
Had my HTC HD2 for a couple a weeks now and have had a few teething problems with setting up my texting and emailing...anyway all is sorted now and im looking to customise my phone. However, i am a COMPLETE NOVICE when it comes to phones/computers.
Can anyone give me an idiots step by step guide to installing apps on my phone please?
Many Thanks
Ben
Well, do you need any help with particular application?
Because, in short example, you just need to download .exe or .cab, copy it to microsd, and run it with file explorer.
I suggest you to try BsB Tweaks, just write it into search option and try first result, there are few good tweaks to begin with...
Ben- programs are installed in 2 ways as Bence suggested- via CAB files and via EXE files.
The difference is that EXE files almost always have to be run on a PC while the phone is connected via Activesync (doesn't need a full partnership, just connected) but CAB files are executed on the phone itself.
Decide which programs you actually want, and search for them either in Marketplace (included on the phone and which does all the work for you, but is severely limited in choice) or via webshops like Handango or Pocketgear. Most are available as trial versions which you download and install yourself. The majority of programs from these shops are EXE files so are installed via the PC.
Many of the program developers have their own download links and most have a CAB file option as well. Download the CAB file to your phone using the phones own browser, or via the PC, then use Explorer to copy it to the phone. Then open File Explorer on the phone, locate the file and just tap it to install.
Bence said:
Well, do you need any help with particular application?
Because, in short example, you just need to download .exe or .cab, copy it to microsd, and run it with file explorer.
I suggest you to try BsB Tweaks, just write it into search option and try first result, there are few good tweaks to begin with...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks guys
bsb tweaks 1.5 or 1.6?
The newest, but I think there will be new version released in next few days...
US or RO CAB?
OR DOESNT IT MATTER? oops caps
I dont know what do you mean...just go to first post of BsB Tweaks thread and at the bottom there is .cab file attached...