Digital Workshop

I am currently working on an simple Advent Calendar publication (I know I know AGES till Christmas) which gives Christmas information, traditions from around the world, a different one for each day. It uses the SYSTEM TIME variables to check on the date before displaying the information and activity. However, I would like the program to start when a PC is switched on - minimised. I assume that if the program - or a shortcut - is installed in the Windows Start (C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\) then the program would start automatically. I can use the variable <Program Files> in the Distribution Wizard but how can I get it to point to the Startup folder - or should I be using a different distribution tool or is it just a stupid idea?

Suggestions?

David

Hi David,

There are several posts on using different installers if you do a search. We use the free version of Advanced Installer which is very powerful and would easily create a shortcut in the startup folder.

I'd avoid actually installing an executable in the startup folder and stick with the shortcut.

Mack

Hi Mack,

Downloaded a copy of Advanced Installer and used it to create a simple MSI which when run did exactly what I wanted.

Brilliant - you've come up trumps again

David

I'm just a sucker for anything Christmasy

Mack

Be carefull, i did a pub that was set to auto start with boot up and what i never thought about was that the startup folder was in different places on Vista and XP . What happened was that Vista excepted the install but created its own path and made it impossible for the uninstaller to find it .

My friedn got so mad at me for installing some hting that couldn't be removed LOL , actually i considered it an excellent virus because even after you find it , the attributes would not allow a delete nor could you change tham and if you removed it from command prompt , it fried you system and gave all kinds of errors.........

So it was an EXCELLENT virus to destry a system ......Would i do it again NO <-----------

I quickly set the install directory to a non-stratup directory

Al

I would not autostart an application without asking the user to do this and not without a possibility to disable autostart without uninstalling the application.

I would install the application in the normal program files directory and set the autostart option within the registry. So the user can decide if she wants to autostart the program or not. In this way it is also easy for the user to disable/enable autostart at anytime she wants with one mouse click.

T.

Tarantoga

Whilst I am in general agreement with what you say......

The program I am working on is for a quite specific need and would only be used for a limited period. The program will be used on PCs attached to IWB in a classroom so that each time the teacher starts the PC the program is loaded. There will only be a small icon on the screen - which when clicked will open up the main program page. To all intents and purposes the PC will just operate as normal. I will include a routine to remind the teacher to uninstall the software after the festive period (or better still - if I can write a routine to do this automatically).

Hi David,

AI can do this as well although it's advised by Microsoft NOT to include an uninstall.

http://www.advancedinstaller.com/user-g ... rtcut.html

You'd have to call either shortcut, or create your own commandline synatax for Opus and then use the close Publication option before running.

Mack

Hi Mack

Thanks - I will have to take a look - I was thinking of writing a reminder routine for the 1st week in January so that when the PC is straited the program is loaded and if it is January then a dialogue box would appear - that's as far as I have got - thinking stage only!!

Out of interset, do youhave any idea why MS discourage this?