ODE97: Errors Executing File After Custom Setup

• Microsoft Office 97 Developer Edition Tools

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you run the Setup program for your custom application that includes a file to execute after Setup, you may receive the following error message:

   Failed to launch process:
   Setup has encountered a problem in launching the following command line:
   <Path and Filename>.
   If you have a system directory that contains a % sign, or the directory
   name *starts* with a space (i.e. 'C:\win95\system'), then setup will
   fail. Please restart setup and ensure that your system directory name
   does not contain the aforementioned problems. Setup will now abort.

   <Application Name> Setup was not completed successfully.

CAUSE

This error message occurs if the file name you execute at the end of your Setup program is not an executable file (*.exe, *.com, *.pif, *.bat).

RESOLUTION

Follow these steps if you want to execute a file at the end of Setup that is not actually an executable file:

1. Include the file you want to run along with the rest of your setup files. For example, include your custom Readme.txt if you want to open it at the end of your Setup program.

2. If necessary, include the executable file that runs your custom file. For example, do not include Notepad.exe to open a Readme.txt file because it is not on the list of files you can distribute with your application, and because any Windows computer where you set up your application already has that file.

   NOTE: If you plan to include any Microsoft executable file, be sure it is a file you are licensed to distribute with your application. For example, you can include the Word Viewer or PowerPoint Viewer files if you want to include a shortcut to a Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint file with your application. These are royalty-free viewer programs.

   For more information about the files you can include with your custom application, search the Help Index for "files, distributing with run-time applications."

   The Word Viewer and PowerPoint Viewer are included in the Microsoft Office 97 ValuPack. For more information about the viewers, open the Valupk8.hlp file, located in the ValuPack folder on your Microsoft Access 97 or Microsoft Office 97 compact disc.

3. In the "Run the following file after the Setup program is completed" box on the "Do you want to run an executable file" screen of the Setup Wizard, select the name of the file you want to open after Setup, such as Readme.txt.

4. Customize the "Enter or edit the command line" box on the "Do you want to run an executable file" screen of the Setup Wizard to reflect the command line to open the file, and not just the file name itself. For example, type the following command line to open Readme.txt:

         "$(WinPath)\Notepad.exe" "$(AppPath)\Readme.txt"
   

   The following sample command line starts the Setup program for the Word Viewer.

         "$(AppPath)\Wd95vw71.exe"
   

   NOTE: When you include any executable that runs its own Setup program, such as Wd95vw71.exe, you must click the "Allow Setup to Complete Before the file Finishes Running" box on the "Do you want to run an executable file" screen of the Setup Wizard. This allows your custom Setup program to complete before the next Setup program begins.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Start the ODE Tools Setup Wizard.

2. On the opening screen of the Setup Wizard, click "Create a new set of setup options for my application's custom Setup program," and then click Next.

3. On the "Add the files" screen of the Setup Wizard, click the Add button and add the sample database Northwind.mdb. Click to select the "Set as Application's Main File" check box.

4. Click the Add button again and add the Microsoft Access Readme file, Acread80.wri, which is installed by default in the \Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder. Click Next.

5. On the "Add the Shortcuts" screen of the Setup Wizard, click the Add button and select Northwind.mdb. Type NWTest in the Description box, and then click Next.

6. Continue to click Next until you get to the "Do you want to run an executable file" screen of the Setup Wizard. Select Acread80.wri in the "Run the following file after the Setup program is completed" box, and then click Next.

7. On the "Where do you want the Setup Wizard to copy the files" screen, specify a folder where you want to create the setup image. Under "What kind of distribution disks do you want to create?", click the Network or CD Setup box and click to clear the 1.44-MB Disks check box if it is selected. Click Finish.

8. When prompted if you want to save the Setup template, you can click No. The Setup Wizard proceeds to create the setup image.

9. Run the Setup program from the folder containing the setup image. Accept all defaults on the Setup screens and note that you receive the error message before Setup is finished.

REFERENCES

For more information about including an executable file with your custom Setup program, search the Help Index for "Setup Wizard, files to run after Setup."