IEAK: CD-ROM Setup Does Not Run On Some Windows95/WindowsNT Systems

ID: Q187494


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit versions 3.0, 3.2, 4.0


SYMPTOMS

When you try to run Setup.exe from a CD-ROM version of Internet Explorer created by the Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK), the splash screen does not appear and the Internet Explorer setup fails to start on a Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 system.

When an IEAK-created compact disc is inserted into a Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 system, Setup.exe runs from the root of the compact disc. The Setup program then displays the splash screen that contains the buttons to start the Internet Explorer installation. However, when Setup.exe is run, this screen does not appear and the installation cannot continue. Manually running Setup.exe from the compact disc also fails with the same results.


CAUSE

The IEAK allows for customized bitmaps to be used for the CD-ROM splash screen bitmap and buttons. However, these files need to be in a specific formatted size and color palette. If the color palette is not correct, the bitmap may not display on some Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 systems, and the setup cannot be run.

This behavior is by design.


RESOLUTION

To correct the color palette for both the CD-ROM splash screen bitmap and button bitmaps, follow the instructions listed below from the IEAK Help files:

Create a bitmap for the Autorun splash screen.

If you plan to distribute your custom browser on a compact disc, you will need to create bitmaps as part of the Autorun splash screen that is displayed after the user has inserted the compact disc.

Before you can create the splash screen, you need to convert any 24-bit images to a common 256-color identity palette. Use the following procedure to create your bitmap.

These instructions assume that you are starting with 24-bit RGB bitmap files. If your file is not a 24-bit RGB bitmap, you must convert it.

  1. Create a 256-color bitmap image (540 by 357 pixels) as described above. This bitmap should provide an introduction to the product. Or, click Sample.bmp to open the sample Autorun splash screen bitmap. Note: The bitmap should contain labels for the two buttons (one for installing Internet Explorer, and the other for displaying more information).


  2. In your graphics program, create a working file for your palette. To do this, paste both your background and your button file into a single file. Make sure to paste the files side by side, not overlapping.


  3. Save the file as Palette.bmp.


Edit your graphic:

  1. In BitEdit, open Palette.bmp. When you open the file, BitEdit prompts you to reduce the colors to 236 colors. Keep this number in the edit field.


  2. Form the Options menu, click Palette. When PalEdit starts, it displays the palette to which your file has been indexed.


  3. On the Palette menu, click Make Identity Palette. PalEdit adds 20 Windows colors to the first and last 10 indices of the palette.


  4. Save the palette as Palette.pal.


  5. Switch to BitEdit and open your original background file.


  6. Save the file with a different name, such as Bgnew.bmp, to the CIE\Bitmaps folder.


  7. Open the renamed background file. On the Options menu, click Color Reduction. Then click Palette File and select Palette.pal. BitEdit dithers your background to the common palette.


  8. Save this file.


  9. Repeat steps 4 through 8 for the button file.


The custom backgrounds and buttons are displayed only on computers with 256- color (8-bit) display capabilities. On computers with 16-color (4-bit) display capabilities, a standard low-resolution background bitmap and button set are displayed.

Additional query words:

Keywords :
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.2,4.0
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: July 20, 1999
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