SDB

Hi All

I have a huge problem on my hands at the moment. I'm delivering a project right now and we have problems with the installation...

It is a VB app which uses the IE5 control (ocx).

The software needs to install on a machine without IE and not actually install IE.

In other words if someone is running AOL, or Netscape or something, the installer needs to invisibly install the IE ocx so that the app runs, but not interfere with their existing browser installation.

1) Is it possible to install the VB IE5 ocx without installing VB. If so how?
2) If not... Is there a way of installing IE5 (as part of an Install Shield script and then not show it on the users machine at all (no shortcuts, etc).

Thanks for any help in advance, we are against the clock.

Cheers

Simon

Fosters

setup an install package, using the vb6 'package and deployment' tool. during the setup process, ensure that the IE ocx (which if referenced will be installed anyway) is 'ticked'. the install will register all components where necessary

install this on the users machine. no need to install VB as the setup package will contain the VB runtimes.

IE won't be required either.

[edit] I say VB6 - it doesn't matter which one - 4,5 or 6 will have the facility.

Fosters

[This message has been edited by Fosters (edited 15 February 2001).]

JoeyDeacon

Alternatively if it is only one OCX you need to register you can do the following :

Copy the OCX to c:windowssystem (if it is Win98)

find regsvr32.exe on the machine you are installing to and create a shortcut to it on the desktop.

Drag the copied ocx (from c:windowssystem) over the shortcut to regsvr32.exe and it should register.

Having just read your post again I can see this may not be much use if it has to be installed with an istall shield type thing!! This solution is a last resort bodge/fix if nothing else will work... (Yes I have been on customer site many times when the f***ing thing won't install...)

Package and Deployment Wizard should have picked this OCX up if the person who built the setup did everything correctly.

[This message has been edited by JoeyDeacon (edited 15 February 2001).]

SDB

Hi Chaps

Thanks for the ideas.... however...

If you do the VB package and deployment it doesn't run unless IE is actually installed on the machine. I know it's strange but I think it's a Micro$oft thing to enforce the use of IE...

Microsoft are saying that it is not possible also, although we haven't managed to speak to anyone particularly helpful.

Re: Register the control. We've tried that but it won't register. It appears there are dependencies which are only satisfied when IE is installed.

ANOTHER OPTION...
We are starting to think...
Is there another control (3rd party?) which will work in roughly the same way as the IE control? It needs to run some javascript, etc.

Any further help would be appreciated.

Cheers

Simon

Fosters

this is drastic, but there's a product out there that disassociates IE from the system, enabling you to prevent the user seeing it and any apps starting it - 98Lite - you can get a trial download.

It may leave whatever components are necessary for your app to run.

KF

What you are trying to do is impossible.
IE is made up of a number of COM objects, deployed in various dlls. The OCX automates these, and thusly requires IE to be installed.
You cannot deploy part of IE, as it contravienes MS's terms of use - and probably wouldn't work anyway.

The API exposed by IE is available in work carried out in Mozilla, but is not released yet, but this won't help with the OCX.

Sorry.

SDB

Hi Chaps

Thanks for all your help.

We ended up writing our own cut down version of a browser. We got finished at 7:00am this morning!!

A few lessons learned on this one.

Thanks again

best regards

Simon

KF

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>
We ended up writing our own cut down version of a browser. We got finished at 7:00am this morning!!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Wow! Really! I was going to suggest perhaps using the Webster browser, which is reusable, and redistributable, but if you can write your own one in a day, you sure don't need me to tell you anything!
KF.

jjones

kf,

all s de b needs a web browser for is viewing jpegs

cutting his coding down to a picture box

IWatkins

A browser for jpegs ?

SDB, it'll take me about 12 seconds, if that is all it is, give me a shout if you need more help.

Cheers

Ian

SDB

I wish it was just jpegs??!!? where did this come from..

we have jpegs, layers, formatted text (fonts, colours, etc), floating images, floating java driven buttons with rollovers, etc, etc, etc.

All done now though.

Best regards

Simon