Autorun code and setup stuff

[mikey_dude]

I am currently developing a cd of software and am making an html-based program that I am planning to have autorun when the cd is put in the drive. What I would like to find out is:

1. How to find and use an autorun script
and
2. How can I make a hyperlink on an html page automatically install a prog rather than download it?

Thanks for your help.

Michael.

[tx2Step]

Hi Mikey

Been making some autorun business card CDs for my clients and what I have found out about autorun is that it can get expensive especially if you plan on having the CD be cross platform. There is software to help, best starts at about $3,000, but there are a few decent ones at $150 or so (USD). They just don't do as much. But the top of the line stuff will do what you want most likely. I saw a number of programs that did everything but scratch your nose for you in my search. Can post the addresses of the ones I think most likely what you may want if you like.

For autorun just for PC all you need is a free autorun.exe and .inf file, it will launch the web browser if the inf is set to load say an index.htm or html page. Launching a program or installing one will be a whole nother apple. My guess would be there is some high end software available that will help you.

What program do you want to install? Is it an .exe? Do yu intend to have more than one proggy on the CD? I ask because my Internet history is full of recent places where I've been looking for cross platform autorun help and found that I really don't want to pay $3,000 for it.

I'll gladly email you the autorun.exe file and inf file if you like. Drop me an email at tx2step2000@yahoo.com. Then all you do is when you burn the CD put the autorun.exe and .inf file directly onto the CD with the html files and it'll automatically open the default web browser on the computer. Won't work on a Mac, but it'll run on PC.

Texas2Step

[mikey_dude]

Just send you an email Texas2Step.

One of my main problems is getting the software on the cd to install straight from an html file on the cd rather than have it come up as an option to download the software as it would be much easier for the cd users who are inexperienced.

Failing that, I'd like to create some simple interface that gives users the option to choose to install a certain piece of software on that cd. I'm not really into programming or software development but more pc engineering. This is why I'm in need of help.

Thanks for any help given!

[tx2Step]

Just been cruising the net and have found several open source programs for similar things to what you seek. None appear to run html direct on play except the autorun.exe and .inf file I will email to you shortly. But the inf file probably can be altered maybe to run the program from the CD...


here is one link, I'll have to copy and paste the others so I'll email them
http://freewrap.sourceforge.net

but if you do a search on yahoo for cross platform programs these will all come up.

I'm trying to get past the .exe problem for Macs to get a cross platform launch for my html files for the business card CD's and catalogs I making for clients. The coding will work but am still trying to locate exact characters to put in the .inf file to make it open anyone's default web browser.

It's a confused mass of programming and I'm no programmer either. But some of the automatic software created and available to do what I'm trying to do is way more expensive than it should be.

I'll drop you an email in a little while with the program (.exe) file and .inf - just don't think it's a virus and kill it (smile) I promise it won't be loaded.

Texas2Step

[tx2Step]

sent you an email but it bounced

here is some software that might be what you're looking for

www.denova.com

Texas2Step