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 <><

Newbie With 8525 Questions

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!

Running a .exe

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

help please

can someone walk me thru how to fix n intall a .cab on my tmobile wing thank you

a thread name should describe the "problem" like in this link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=466562&highlight=install+cab
the search is powerfull! use that power.

i just dont know what to do when the cab is unpacked i dont know how to pack it so i can install on my tmobile wing

http://www.pocketpccentral.net/help/tutorials/install_cab_file.htm

mur1 said:
i just dont know what to do when the cab is unpacked i dont know how to pack it so i can install on my tmobile wing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHY did you unpack it ? You must only...
(... go to the Search in xda-dev's and if don't find anything, ask for, and you'll be told that cab's are installed...)
...copying the CAB into the device (better into the SD card) and execute it using the File Explorer.
****** IMPORTANT ******
Please, before installing any CAB, get sure it's safe. Maybe you'll need to install first a "SafeMode" starter in your device, so that you'll able to boot it when you destroy almost everything by using an unsafe CAB or EXE.
**********************
Before continuing (I see you posted only 3 times and your question is a basic one), please read the conditions and the suggestions for newbies. It's the safest way to preserve your device from bricking it (that's called, "you'll be only able to use it as a wall brick but not to phoning or computing")

when i download the cab into jzip it unpack it by itself

Well... that's easy.
Just download it like a usual file. Right-click on the link and choose "save as", so that Jzip will not open it by itself. Save it into a folder, i.e. "My downloaded CABs"
Try to install a "safemode" manager for your device. Thus, you'll be able to boot it when your installation will be the wrong way. A good ROM (maybe the original for your device if you didn't play with it) is also necessary near to you for the same reasons.
Also, try to download and launch a CAB analizer like MSCEInf.exe and you'll be able to understand what is into your CAB, TSK and some other files you feed into your device. The most of the problems when installing something come because you're using the wrong version, or because the installation asks for a startup process or a change in the registry, and looking into the CAB will allow you to modify the installation.
Then, you may use Activesync or similar to put the CAB into the device (better into the SD card if you have small space to put files, as happens with the Herald). You may also switch off the phone (this is OFF, not hybernated!!) and take the microSD card and put the files inside via USB reader.
Launch the File Explorer (better if you use other managers, I like TotalCommander) and tap on the CAB file. Remember if you didn't modify the settings, the CAB will be erased once it will be installed.
If you have not many space in your "programs RAM" you can move the files from \windows\appmgr to a similar folder into your SD card. Do not delete them, as you'll need those files/folders when you'll uninstall some app.
*****WARNING***** If this is your first experience with Windows Mobile, take a surf into this web and read, read, read, print hardcopies of everything you'll consider interesting, and only after this you'll be able to work with your device with no danger to damage it forever. (you'll only damage it for some hours, till you'll have hard-reseted it).

thank u so much

How-To's For Nubs

Hi guys, this is my first windows mobile ever, and i've come on here and looked at all these threads for around 2 weeks now and id really like to start doing things!
I've looked at the *Leo hints and tips* and downloaded Resco, so i now know how to edit values and things in the root folder, but what i'm unsure about, and i'm sure all the new people to windows phones are to, is where to start?
I mean the phone reads .cab files, but say I download a .cab file, do i download it on my pc and put it on the phone, if so where to? After that do i have to click it, run it, what? Do i download it off my hd2 and it'll run? which I have done, but after installation, where is it stored if i want to open the file? What happens if i install a .cab and don't like it? Where is it for me to delete and how do I go about this? how do I uninstall things i've installed?
What im asking is, if there is a starting tutorial for these things, can it be a sticky because there are hundreds of threads on here and the search tool and my searching isn't finding what I really want...essentially...'HD2 for dummies...' guide.
sorry if this has been said before, or i'm expected to know these things, but if someone could point me and many others in a direction, or a sticky could be made, then id be one happy welsh man!
Cheers guys.

The simple answer to your question about cab files is that they're installers, just like you have on your PC. When it's installed, you can (if you wish) delete the cab file. (I keep all mine so if I upgrade my ROM then I can install things again without having to find the cab files all over again.) There's also "remove programs" in the windows settings folder, and you can uninstall apps from there.
Think of it more like a PC than a phone and you'll get on with it a lot easier.
Also, if it's windows you want help with then there's dedicated windows folders on this forum. Windows isn't specific to the HD2, so you will usually get better help in the more specific areas.
Other than that, just play with it and have fun.
Hope this helps

To install a cab you just need to copy or download it to your phone and then click on it. An installation wizard will then appear to take you through the installation process.

right okay, so the .cab i can delete as if it was a .exe file, but where do i save it on the phone for it to run, which folder?
When using file explorer and tweaking and installing .cabs, thats windows though i pressume? Not htc...

matt_attack_2k1 said:
right okay, so the .cab i can delete as if it was a .exe file, but where do i save it on the phone for it to run, which folder?
When using file explorer and tweaking and installing .cabs, thats windows though i pressume? Not htc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can run the cab file from anywhere you like on the phone. If you're planning on deleting them after installing it really doesn't matter. Like I said, I keep my cabs (and would recommend it too!), so I have an "installers" folder, with sub-folders for different types of cab files.
Installers and tweaks are not specific to either windows or HTC - they could be either or both.

I personally keep all my cabs at Storage Card\Backup\CABs I transfer them to there from my PC, run them from there, save them there.
You can put them in any folder you like and run them from anywhere you like. There are no rules on where cab files need to be.

right okay, so i install a .cab file, say for example ive installed a new unlock slider, i change my mind and don't want that one anymore i would like the old one back, what do I do?

matt_attack_2k1 said:
right okay, so i install a .cab file, say for example ive installed a new unlock slider, i change my mind and don't want that one anymore i would like the old one back, what do I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that specific example, you'd have to check the thread where you got the new slider from. That's overwritten original files so obviously an uninstall doesn't recreate them. I tend not to install theme mods that can't be rolled back, purely because of this!
I've tried some alternative lockscreens before, and they definitely had the original files in a cab so you could undo it.

right okay. and for example if i was to install, i don't know, an additional button up onto the top bar by the start menu, how would I go about deleting?
Back to my OP, why is there no tutorial or hot-tips threads made as a sticky for people new to this stuff like I am?