Docs: Version 3 | Verison 2 | Verison 1

Introduction

This documentation will describe how the VBSW program works, how to set up the directory structure, and then how to customize the program to meet your needs.

VBSW was orignally designed to install system related files for VB6 programs. It will restart the target computer as needed and resume installation. Once all system files needed have been updated, your setup program / Windows Installer package will run.

Steps

1. Read this entire page
2. Download VBSW.
3. Using the included 'VBSW Settings Utility', customize the included installation or create a new installation.
4. Download the components your installation needs, extracting any files that need to be extracted.
5. Deploy by CD or network share.

VBSW Settings Utility

• \setup or \msi - contains either the 'setup.exe' or 'Intall Package.msi' for your installation
• \sysfiles - contains installs for system components to update
• \vbsw - contains the settings file (settings.ini) and images used by Autorun.exe
• Autorun.exe - Main program (VBSW)
• Autorun.inf - When used at CD root, causes autorun.exe to launch when CD inserted.
• setup.exe - (optional) a copy of autorun.exe, renamed to setup.exe. Launching this program skips the 'Autorun' dialog.

Program Settings

The best way to get started is to use the sample layout included with the download. Open 'Settings Utility.exe' and from the file menu, open the path to the sample 'CD Root'. The screen will look similiar to the screen on the right.

• Name: Specifies the name to use on dialogs and title bars
• Setup/MSI: Specifies the setup.exe or .msi package to install after the system components have been updated.
• Cmd Line: Any command line options you want to pass to your installation. For an EXE install, you must also specify the EXE name here, for example 'setup.exe /x'. For an MSI, simply specify the options, for example '/j'.
• Root: Read only, simply displays the current root
• Background: Bitmap image used as the background for the autorun dialog. The autorun dialog will automatically resize to the size of the bitmap image you specify.

Components

Components are each individual system component you would like checked. To skip checking a component, uncheck it. The sample CD Root only includes folders for the components, you must download each component yourself (if you choose to supply the component from your own source, be SURE the version is the same - see advanced docs).
Note: The two service pack installs require you to extract the downloaded files, see 'Notes' after double clicking the component.

You can fully customize the component checking. If you decide to customize the components please read the advanced documentation to fully understand everything involved.

Buttons

The buttons tab allows you to specify bitmap images to use for the 'Install' button and the 'Cancel' button. The images should all be the same size. If you'd like different images for when the mouse is moved over the image, or when the button is clicked, simply specify the images you would like to use. You must also set the positioning for the images relative to the upper left corner of the background image specified in 'Program Settings'.

Misc Other Notes

• VBSW creates a log file (VBSW Log <date/time>.log) each time it is run in the user's Temp directory. This is a good point to start any troubleshooting.
• When a system component is installed, a registry entry is created (HKCU\Software\giesler.org\VBSW\Installed Components). If the component fails to install for some reason, the user is prompted if they would like to retry installing the component.
• Clicking 'Cancel' on the progress dialog cancels setup AFTER the current component finishes installing.
• When a reboot is required, a dialog that times out after 15 seconds and automatically restarts is displayed.

To download now, click here
For the advanced documentation, click here.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask from the feedback page.