[MDA III, XDA III, PDA2k, 9090 Software Upgrading] HDuser:
Auto Install of applications based on a config file

Problem:

1) Every time I update my device I need to run a lot of setup.exe to reload all of my software.

Now this has got on my nerves and I would like to share the solution that I have found in the hope that somebody SMART can simplify it.

I base this example on the application "Splashphoto" in the combination of the autorun.exe found in the Extended_ROM.

You can modify the concept to your own liking by changing the install location, the number of install files

**Note** the supplied config.txt files is set to turn the touch screen off when you install.

Thus it will ONLY work if your cab file does NOT come up with a message that requires you to confirm it by hand on installation.

Such as "written for older version.." or "Is already installed reinstall?.." You can change that as written below.

Although you are able to install software from your desktop onto any location of your device I have not found a switch for this and am already way out of my depth. I would think that there has to be some command line that that the Cab file reacts to. I hope somebody SMART can Work this part out.

I have added all the needed files to: AutoInstall_Beta.rar and have tried to go into a deep explanation based my own limited understanding.

ftp://xda:xda@ftp.xda-developers.com/BlueAngel/Tools/Autoinstall_Beta/AutoInstall_Beta.rar

Step 1

You will need to download this file, extract it and copy it to your storage.

This example uses "\Storage\Install"

Step 2

You will need to modify the following key to insure that autorun.exe points to the correct config.txt file.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\AutoRunCFG

Old value: \Exteneded_ROM\config.txt

New Value: \Storage\Install\config.txt

Step 3

Run \Storage\Install\Autorun.exe from your device.

This file will run the commands found in Config.txt

In this case

A) disable Touch screen (may be also the phone)

B) install SlashPhoto

C) Enable Touch screen (may be also the phone)

D) Reboot

AutoInstall_Beta.rar has the following files:

1: SplashPhoto.2577.CAB

Extracted cab file from demo version of SplashPhoto found under:

http://www.handango.com/

2: AutoRun.exe

Found on the Extended_Rom.

This file will run the commands found in Config.txt

3: Config.txt

Modified config.txt file with the only entry being SplashPhoto.2577.CAB

4: TPDisable.exe

Application to disable the touch screen (may be Phone function) while installing applications also found on the Extended_Rom

5: TPEnable.exe

Application to Enable the touch screen (may be Phone function) while installing applications also found on the Extended_Rom

6: Ruler.ARM.CAB

This is a freeware application that turns your display into a Ruler.

It has been added as it comes up with a message that you need to confirm.

**Note** if you add this to config.txt you will hang and need to reboot your device.

After reboot you will find the application under start\Ruler and it will work.

**UPdate** By removing the commands TPDisable.exe and TPEnable.exe from the config,txt

you are able to confim the install dialog as the touch remains active.

Understanding of Autorun.exe:

Based on the info I have picked up there seems to be 2 versions of autorun.exe, one uses a config.txt and one not. (this one does)

After a new upgrade of your device autorun is executed to install the software based on the carrier that you have all of whih is found under \Extened_ROM hidden folder.

I took this Idea modified the config.txt and ran autorun in a new folder on my device to find out that it installed all the software in the Exteneded_rom and NOT out of the folder I was in nor with the config file that I had.

This was not what I wanted and did not make me very happy.

So after some playing around with regedit I found

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\AutoRunCFG with the value of \Exteneded_ROM\config.txt

This I changed to \Storage\Install\config.txt,

re ran the autorun and it worked thus giving me Proof of concept.

Understanding of Config.txt

It seems that with the command EXEC you can execute a *.exe file such as turning the touch screen on and off

It seems that with the command CAB you can install an application.

It seems that RST reboots the device.

What would be nice is to work out if you can force the application to install in a different location (Storage Card)

Finding your cab files.

Most applications that are installed from your desktop will create a folder and deposit the cab files in it.

If your device is connected it will kick of the setup routine that will ask you for the install location and then execute the cab file.

It is recommended that your install the software this way first to see if you get a message on your device.

If the install falls under the clean versions then you can remove it with the stettings\remove Programs and modify your config.txt

In our SplashPhoto Case the default location is:

"C:\Program Files\SplashData\SplashPhoto for PocketPC\SplashPhoto.2577.CAB"

I have also found cab files under

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\Name_of_Application"

Working out which CAB is the correct one.

The file names might be ???.mips.CAB, ???.arm.CAB, ???.sa.CAB, ???.sh3.CAB or ???.Cef.CAB

I am in luck as in our case there is no choice

Which is just as well as I have no Idea what they mean.

Hint: I use ARM as it seems to work and I its my cpu type.

So what is left?

1) Solving the problem of cabs that come up with a message such as Ruler.ARM.CAB

Solved:

TPDisable.exe ----> Seems to disable the touch screen

TPEnable.exe ----> Thus this would enable the touch screen.

So for the Ruler.ARM.CAB that asks gives us the "written for other version" the following will work with out a reset

Config.txt

2) finding a switch to set the location of the install to say "\Storage Card"

3) A little cab that turns config location on and off.

Does a regedit of our key with out having to change it by hand.

And has a drop down Browse function to for my "\Storage\Install" folder

Or a better solution than mine!!!!

Next thing I will try to cover is batch copy and del of links

Gee I hope this all was not a waste of your time reading it.

Edit 18/01/04 added Open 1 as solved

Corrected text about what TPDisable.exe, TPEnable.exe (which is turn Touch screnn on/off (may be the Phone funtion)

Updated the section on Ruler.ARM.CAB