Database Users

Quick & Dirty Installer?

Got some files in a CAB I want to install on a number of units. I would "like" to create an installer that I just double-click on desktop & it installs via ActiveSync - simple. But I'm not a programmer - what would be the best way to do this? Prefer not to copy via explorer & click the CAB on the XDA unit & others may be doing this, so trying to keep it simple. Ideas/recommendations?

I brought Natural Installer a few years back and it has been the business. It is very simple to use, all with a windows interface and creates a single exe as you say that you just double click on to install.
Have a look here :-
http://naturalinstaller.com/

The site does not mention 2003, have you had any problems with that?
Can you define install location? SD Card
How does it deal with chaty cabs (those that want input).

I've had no problems with PPC2003, why don't you download the trial version and give it a go. Post a reply on this thread as to how it works.
As for chaty cabs I think you can make your own setup.dll but I don't know how to and have never done that.
All I wanted was a basic setup that could make directorys, copy files and set some default registry keys as needed, I found that Natural Installer did that very well. As for more advanced stuff I don't know - but as written trial it.

Well I downloaded it and played with it.
For me it seems to be a WinCabManager type appliction.
Yes you can copy files, set reg entries, make dirs, add icons.
All of this seems doable.
What I was hoping for was a selfextracting file that installs a few cabs and not the content of them.
With the BlueAngel you can set up a autorun that runs a list of cabs in the config.txt file. However for this you need to hack the reg to set the pointer for the autorun and config.txt.
I was hoping that this would be more down the lines of cabinstaller that allows you to define which cab you want were but alas does not allow you to define a list of what cabs you want in what location.
So problem for me not solved but thanks for the tip.

Hi Dave
Personally I use NSIS (Nullsoft Installer) - it is basically a very customisable installer which can be scripted to look like any other installer in existance, or you can make it look totally unique to you!
Another great thing about it is that you can make it install multiple cab files at the same time (it's just a case of calling ActiveSync with the cab file you want to install).
Best of all... it's free
Pope <><

[DEV] ROM Tools

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?!

mortscripts tut???

i have heard lots of about mortscripts use,,
but plz can someone elaborate how??
like how can i add new taskbar icons??
how to create flder?
and finally where the hell to put it??
sorry..
if someone already know then plz give the link..

hi, mortscript is a scripting language
you can build a file with extension .mscr and when you double click it instructions will be executed. you can do anything with mortscript: write/read to registry/files, run programs, send commands to the operating systems, send events to the queue...
mortscript is a simple language so you can be up and running in little time. there is no GUI so it is a language very descriptive.
the program can be downloaded at the author's page. There is a complete and concise pdf manual.
in xda there is are two reference threads: mortscript examples acumulation and mortscript source compendium.
rather than ask for that or that code, learn by doing...the machine will do what you want to.

cruiserrr said:
hi, mortscript is a scripting language
you can build a file with extension .mscr and when you double click it instructions will be executed. You can do anything with mortscript: Write/read to registry/files, run programs, send commands to the operating systems, send events to the queue...
Mortscript is a simple language so you can be up and running in little time. There is no gui so it is a language very descriptive.
The program can be downloaded at the author's page. There is a complete and concise pdf manual.
In xda there is are two reference threads: Mortscript examples acumulation and mortscript source compendium.
Rather than ask for that or that code, learn by doing...the machine will do what you want to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can i cook them??
Like wher i have to put them to execute???ext folder??shared folder or in folder with mname zzzz

Here's a mortscript package. Just put it in your EXT directory. As for the scripts themselves, do whatever you want. I use them during customization (unzipping; creating my start menu..), so you need to put the commands into an add2config.txt file. I also have a few that I use for backing up/restoring files, or exporting reg keys. I just have links to them in my start menu.

you can cook both the app (as says previous post) and the scripts you create or reuse. you can use scripts that build (or copy) the shortcuts at boot time or do anything you want. this is not a quick shot, I recommend you take some reading on mortscript, there is a lot here at xda.

thank u thank u all of u..

There is a WIKI with some examples too. See my Sig

RoryB said:
There is a WIKI with some examples too. See my Sig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and RoryB is another mortscript WIKI himself !!

Custom EXT's

This is a thread to post up random custom EXT's (not stuff dumped from roms, but stuff put together by users). Here's one I put together today. It creates 13 shoutcast .pls files (in \application data\shoutcast) and also creates shortcuts in the start menu for the .pls files (in Playlists, which needs a folder icon if you use it). The app.reg file creates a .pls file association for tcpmp-it may need editting for the path (I have tcpmp in \windows). The package requires mortscript; all it is is a mortscript that creates the files during customizations. It is fully edittable-you'll need to dump the .pls file for any station you want from shoutcast, and then edit the script. I kind of doubt anyone's gonna want all the .pls files I use. The nice thing about using these files is that you don't need a middle-man app to get the shoutcast stream going (e.g. PIE). The script looks like this:
Code:
WriteFile("\Application Data\Shoutcast\Twang City.pls","[COLOR="Red"][playlist]^NL^numberofentries=1^NL^File1=http://67.218.97.133:8888^NL^Title1=(#1 - 12/32) TwangCity - Alt-Country and American Roots Music^NL^Length1=-1^NL^Version=2^NL^[/COLOR]")
Just change the .pls name to whatever you want, and cut-and-paste the contents of the file in between the second set of ""s. The little squares for line-breaks need to be replaced by ^NL^. Some of the .pls files are longer than others (check the 'boot liquor' one). I'll post some more later.
Edit: Lol!!! It oughta be named 'Streaming Package'.
Added tcpmp package.

I know; it's so funny, I gotta leave it that way.
I added a tcpmp package to the first post. It needs mortscript to unzip the skin files and also to create the start shortcut. Edit the mortscript to change the location in the start menu that it goes to. The skin is the one on the bottom left of the first post from the thread. I guess it's by listopad-it's really sweet.
Here are three more. The first is the new dotfred task manager 3.3. It's set up to run the cpu usage monitor; to remove it, delete the .dll and the certificates and whatnot in the app.reg file.
The second is PE Info (free from s-k-tools.com). It lets you look inside PE files (kind of like PE Explorer).
The third is the newest version of the google youtube app. It needs mortscript to run, and the start link is in the mortscript.

This is a package with the latest Bing with turn-by-turn navigation. You need mortscript for it to run, and the shortcut is created in the mortscript in the package; edit the second line to put the shortcut wherever you wish.
I've had issues with the XAML files becoming corrupt if I locate this straight into \windows. Whenever I soft reset, all the files in \windows\xaml become corrupt (task 29 doesn't help). Anyway, it works fine for me in \program files, so that's why the package is put together that way.
Edit: Here is a combo EXT of TCPMP/Uzard Web browser. The browser's media player is tcpmp with a crappy skin. I've combined the browser with TCPMP-0.72RC2-ARM-WM6, and the two media players use the same plugins (saves memory). They also use the same custom skin, so now you can make all the same tweaks to the uzmp media player as you can with tcpmp. You need mortscript for this to install properly, and the start menu shortcuts are created in the mortscript.

Hi, great idea but just to let you know there already exist a thread like this with custom packages thanks to Starbase64.
You can find it in the sticky here:
{{Chef Central}} Guides | Tutorials | Tips & Tricks | Fixes | Stickies [READ FIRST!!]
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6293850&postcount=6
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=611007

Custom Dummy CoPilot package
Description:
This is a dummy CoPilot, used in order to enable NaviPanel's buttons and point to your GPS software.
Requirements:
You must have MortScript included in your rom:
For getting the package installed!
(It has an archive which has to be unzipped with MortScript during 1st or 2nd boot - check app.mscr and add its content to your script that runs while customization)
For running the dummy CoPilot after installation!
(A *.mscr is used to run your GPS Software)
Tested:
Working well on a LEO with Destinator 7 in Storage Card!
Best Regards!
PS1: If another solution like this has already been posted, you may ignore all these and delete the post
PS2: Bumping the thread! This could be a good repository!

Here are a few of the ones I cook in regularly
Black Dialer Skin - Nils
HTC Calculator - Gray
Black Samsung Lite Keyboard - Nils
Black TaskBar - Nils
LiveSearch-Bing
M2D TodayPage 3.1 with Messaging on home page
Google Maps 4.1 with Voice
Spb Screenshot

Here's a few as well from my collection.
Custom_EXTs

[REQ] Complex Cab 2 OEM (Tutorial?)

I was hoping someone could help me out. I've been trying for a while to make a working OEM out of a few sense 2.5 cabs. At the moment I have 2 to choose from, one posted on modaco(thread http://www.modaco.com/content/i8000...07676/noobody-and-rapid-sense-2-5-rom-nxxje2/ and file link http://www.4shared.com/file/uV-HPoiM/nOObody__Rapid_Sense_252011_Rh.html) and http://www.freeza-inc.com/freezaROM/OEMCAB/fi. Sense - 2.5.2011.3030 for WM6.1 beta.cab(makes it easier, these cabs include full package, I've tried grabbing oem's from ppcKitchen with limited success). I was hoping someone could post a tutorial about converting cabs like such ^^ to an oem package for use with buildOS. Thanks in advance for any help.

This should help
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=467842

When I use that tool the oem will build but not work. I've tried a few other tools but they also don't create working oems. cab2oem, oemizer etc.

I don't use sense, so haven't installed the cab, but here's how I make more complicated packages: Run sk tracker, and take a system snapshot. Install the cab, and run sk tracker again and take a second snapshot and compare the first two snapshots. Copy all new files to your oem (or EXT). Export all new reg keys to an app.reg or .rgu. My guess is that all the files go into \windows, so you won't need to deal with initflashes.txt files or app.dat files. You may need to get sense running (if it isn't running after the cab install). If you have to start it up (may require a soft reset), then run it and take a 3d snapshot. Compare shots 2 to 3-there could be a few new registry keys. Most are going to be in obvious places, like HKCU(or LM)\software\HTC\Manila, but you may have some certificates installed in odd places as well as random crap you'd never find without sk tracker in HKCR. You probably need all of these keys. The problem with just using an oem creator is that there may be reg keys installed by a setup.dll, or reg keys installed when the program first launches, and you'll miss these.
Remove any setup.dll from the package-it won't be needed. And since you're using buildos, I guess you'll need to create a .dsm (have fun with that-nicest thing about EVK is you don't need them). I guess there may be a startup shortcut, so you'll need the initflashfiles to get it in \windows\startup, unless you use an HKLM\init key to start sense up.

look at the main stickie or kitchen tools repository thread search for cab converter it works... but if your cab has a setup.dll will be hard you need to see whats inside of the setupdll and try to add that things to the OEM mannually like resources or regs