Website on CD, running executables from hmtl page??Website on CD, running executables

[Phil Marsh]

Hi all,

Didn't know where else to put this query. Sorry!!

I'm putting a website on a CD and have included Windows Media Player and IE5 (MAC & PC VERSIONS) on the CD for users just incase.

I intended to get them to click on the link as normal and it would launch the executable, be it mac or pc. At the moment it isn't workin at all. Is there some extra commands i can put in to get the installer to run.

I can get them to do it from the cd obviously but this way they don't have to worry about a thing. Simple 4 everyone....hopefully...

Thanks in advance

;-)

[kevin]

sorry, no idea how to do that.

[postitlord]

That's phrased so vaguely I'll need to ramble alot.

First your question.. You want to get the CD to Automatically Run a specific file upon being inserted into the computer; correct me if I'm wrong.

For Windows 9x (and I assume it's family NT ME 2000 XP) you need to put a little file, called AUTORUN.INF, on the main CD (meaning not in a folder on the CD).. This file, will need a couple lines of simple code, just write them in NOTEPAD, and when you save the file rename the extension from TXT to INF. I THINK this is it.. I haven't used it in years so you may want to check
[autorun]
open=start setup.exe
icon=Autorun.icoNotice I made [autorun] bold. If this code is wrong, search for that key word, along with "Windows", and should find more...

Ok, next issue. that code will only work for EXECUTABLES. It MAY work for some other file types, but will use DOS box to get the job done... and only on some versions of Windows.. So, the advised workaround is to use said code to launch an EXE that will open said HTML file for you...

Ok, next issue. I don't know what kind of MAC/WIN CD you've got in mind.. If it's just a plain Windows ISO(?) CD, you need to keep all your filenames short to 8.3 format (like DOS) to work on 7.x systems, which of course will need (and usually come with) PC Exchange(?).... OR get your users to install software that can read long file names up the Macintosh limit (31 characters long). I'll tell what it's called and where to get it if you ask.
If you are/can make a HYBRID CD (Part formatted for Mac, Part formatted for Win, either OS will only read it's own format...), then you'll need to find your own Auto Launch code for the Mac part, cause A)I don't of any B)Don't think there is any..

As for the vague-alities, when you say click a link as normal, are they already surfing HTML files from double-clicking them on your CD (meaning found the file themselves after exploring)? Or is this executable supposed to be the only thing that runs. When you say installer, you mean what would normally called SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE on your CD? What's it installing if it's running off the CD? What program are you using to make the Installer? (That Q. wont' help me much but maybe someone else it'll help.. I'm used to INF file autorun...)

[scoutt]

what is the code for the link Phil? that you are using in the webpage.

[postitlord]

Ok, as I now understand it, the user will be surfing the various web pages already (they found INDEX.HTML by themselves?), and will eventually hit a page that links to .EXE's, as well as Installers for the Mac.

First, do you know the difference between relative and absolute paths? <a href="IE5setup.exe"> install IE 5.0 </a> (relative)
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/IE5setup.exe"> install IE 5.0 </a> (absolute)For cross platform compatibility, use relative paths to link to Installers. I can list six reasons why absolutes are bad, the simplest being C:\Windows\Desktop (Win), and Hard Drive:Desktop (Mac), the actual text you type is different...At the moment it isn't workin at all.Here's an example <a href="../../PC/Software/ae50.exe">ae50.exe</a> <a href="../../Mac/Software/ae55.hqx">ae55.hqx</a>When a Windows user clicks an .EXE link, it will ask the user to Run this program, or Save this program.. They'll have to figure out, or you provide instructions, to click Run. When a Mac user clicks a BIN / HQX / SIT / SEA link, and depending on how there system is setup, I think(?), well, this where I forget...... :( :( :( ..... I THINK they'll have to go to the desktop, manually open the THEN expanded-file-into-a-folder.. Don't quote me on this I'm 2 years out of Mac practice...

There are various other Mac/Win problems I can write paragraphs about, so tell if you can get this much working, so I don't exhaust myself typing.

I once made an HTML based CD that linked to various Installers, Win and Mac. I have attached that HTML file. You will notice all the <A HREF> paths are really short, being the most compatible. Is yours like this? Can you post your code? Can you describe specifically what kind(s) of problems your links are suffering? Are they just on the Mac? Have you actually burned a CD and tested it on both systems, or just running off the one harddrive (Win or Mac?)?