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 <><
I'm creating a CAB file with _setup.xml. Is there a way I can automatically launch an application withing the cab file after or during the install?
Also, is there a way I can get a list of the verbs used in the _setup.xml. I've been unsuccessful here.
Thanks.
You can't launch an app using _setup.xml
Basically what you can do there (sorry I don't have a link to a full list) is to copy files, create shortcuts and add / change registry. This is all that cab installer knows how to do.
If you can code c++ you can add a setup.dll which has 4 functions that are automatically activated:
1 - before installation
2 - after installation
3 - before uninstall
4 - after uninstall
You can use that to do whatever you want.
Thanks for the quick reply. Any links on more info on Setup.DLL?
Can't you just create a process from within the setup dll on the after install message. I have not tried that but I have been able to do just about everything I can think of from a setup dll (ie edit registry, manipulate files, create dialogs draw stuff). If you know the location of what you want to run it should be easy.
I have only created cabs the old way, so to search for that google cabwiz.
I have this document about it (i can't remember where it comes from), log in to get it attached.
Is it possible to create a cab that will automagically configure a e-mail account?
I ask this because I reflash almost weekly, so it will save me time
No big deal. You need to write a .xml as described here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1897000&postcount=3
Then you build a .cab as described here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=390846
Gurus,
I tried searching for this but in vain. I keep flashing all the great roms posted here frequently. And every time i have to configure my email accounts from scratch and this is a real pain. Is there any way to backup the settings like we do in PIM backup and restore upon reflashing the ROM'S?
Help greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Raj
prudviraj said:
Gurus,
I tried searching for this but in vain. I keep flashing all the great roms posted here frequently. And every time i have to configure my email accounts from scratch and this is a real pain. Is there any way to backup the settings like we do in PIM backup and restore upon reflashing the ROM'S?
Help greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Raj
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, what is best method to backup & restore phone settings regardless of what ROM we are using.
What about Microsoft my phone?
get makisu from HERE
(its a plugin to sashimi, but it will run standalone too)
run it, (it may take a few moments to start, be patient) enter your account details, add as many as you like, including wifi settings
tutorial video HERE
copy the xml file it creates (created mine as program files/makisu/makisu.xml)
get the microsoft cabinet sdk from HERE
extract it, and in the BIN folder is an .exe file called makecab.exe
I coppied that file out to its own folder, i dont use anuthing else in the sdk.
put makecab.exe and makisu.xml in a folder together, rename the xml to _setup.xml
open a command line window, and browse to that folder.
(Useful tip for vista/7, with the folder open on screen, hold shift and right click, you will get the option to 'open command window here')
issue the command
makecab /D COMPRESS=OFF _setup.xml mail.cab
(set mail.cab to whatever.cab name you want)
Thats it, copy the cab to your phone and run it when you need to set up your email accounts (and wifi if you set that too, very handy, i've automated 5 email accounts and 3 wifi networks)
(You could also just stop at the xml stage, and next time you hard reset, instal makisu and then choose 'provision xml' and browse to the makisu.xml file and it will install the settings.)
@samsamuel - I've just found this post (after searching for "rename email account"!!) and it's awesome.....just what I've been looking for!! Now I can reload my mail settings whenever I flash....assuming I can find a way to rename the current (incorrect) mail account I just added, otherwise I'll have to go for the delete/re-create option
Thanks again for posting about "makisu" - shame I have to register on yet another forum I'll never use just to get it....unless it's hidden on XDA somewhere?
Mark.
This is all that you guys need.
This will take care of provisioning for Wi-Fi Configs, Email Configs and Certificates.
leepriestenator said:
This is all that you guys need.
This will take care of provisioning for Wi-Fi Configs, Email Configs and Certificates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you make the xml with the program, how do you access it on the phone for restoration of settings? I don't need it right now but I am making xml's since I have had to hard reset my phone 4x already (and not because I was flashing a ROM) and re-creating all the settings is such a pain. I read into the sashimi and makisu but those apps make my head spin. There has to be a simpler way. Thanks in advance.
Edit: I think I got it. Either I use Makisu to access the xml or make the cab using the post above. If I make the cab and I want to use Quick cab (since it is much easier to use), where does the file install? \Windows?? It was unclear from the previous post since the instructions are for a different cab making utility.
k8sh said:
Edit: I think I got it. Either I use Makisu to access the xml or make the cab using the post above. If I make the cab and I want to use Quick cab (since it is much easier to use), where does the file install? \Windows?? It was unclear from the previous post since the instructions are for a different cab making utility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt install any files anywhere, not in teh way you mean, its just setting/changing/applying settings. Think of the xml file as a script that makes changes as it runs.
For me, i have makisu in my autoinstall folder, so it gets installed at hard reset, and i run teh xml file (also on my sd card) manually when i am ready to apply it. (I flash a lot, so sometimes i dont want email setting up, because i am gonna flash again in a few minutes).
I no longer bother creating the cab, because with the xml file you can just open it in notepad and add anotehr email account, make other small adjustments, whatever, which you cant do with a cab, you have to rebuild the whole thing from scratch. (for some reason wince cab manager cant open that cab.)
Well if you are on a custom rom, every chef support some form of UC or the other (User Customization).
In addition to Sashimi / Makisu you can also use SDConfig.txt & XDA_UC if your ROM supports it.
Google them and you'll find more info.
This looked like it would do the trick. When I run it I get a visual basic error. I have netcf v4 installed. Is there another file required to make this run?
I have no clue how to use xml scripting, but I need XDA_UC to be able to automatically set up two GMail accounts (one with a custom domain) as well as an exchange server automatically.
I tried using the guide here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=795711
However, while it showed how to do these things, it didn't show how to combine them into one large xml (or will multiple xmls work?) that will be all run at once.
Please help streamline my Obsessive FoneFlashing Disorder!
Have you tried searching about how to set up xml email accounts?