d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

I have written an ActiveX that is downloaded from a web page in a .cab file.  
I need to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (my activex has a dependency on 
it), but I would prefer not writing an installer - some users don't have 
administrator privilege on their PC.

I have noticed that if I dont run the installer of the SDK redistributable 
but simply copy the d3dx9_27.dll file in the same directory as my ActiveX 
dll, my activeX will work fine.

Ideally, I would like to avoid having to ask my users to download and 
install the redistributable themselves...

I have 2 questions:
1- What does the d3dx9_27.dll file contain?  I am asking this because I want 
to make sure I absolutely need it.  I have noticed that if the dll is missing 
and I "delay load" it , my ActiveX does register, works fine and never seems 
to try loading the missing dll.
2- Is it possible just to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (along with the 
minimum distribution set as stated in the D3D documentation), but not run the 
MS installer of the sdk redistributable?  (I mean just copying the dll in the 
same directory as my ActiveX dll)?  

Thanks,

Stéphane

date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 12:49:07 -0800   author:   Stéphane Côté

RE: d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

Let me rephrase this - as I got new information :

I have written an ActiveX that is downloaded from a web page in a .cab file.  
I need to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (my activex has a dependency on 
it), but I would prefer not writing an installer - some users don't have 
administrator privilege on their PC.

I have noticed that if I dont run the installer of the SDK redistributable 
but simply copy the d3dx9_27.dll file in the same directory as my ActiveX 
dll, my activeX will work fine.

Ideally, I would like to avoid having to ask my users to download and 
install the redistributable themselves...

My question is:
- Is it possible just to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (along with the 
minimum distribution set as stated in the D3D documentation), but not run the 
MS installer of the sdk redistributable?  (I mean just copying the dll in the 
same directory as my ActiveX dll)?  

Thanks,

Stéphane



"Stéphane Côté" wrote:

> I have written an ActiveX that is downloaded from a web page in a .cab file.  
> I need to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (my activex has a dependency on 
> it), but I would prefer not writing an installer - some users don't have 
> administrator privilege on their PC.
> 
> I have noticed that if I dont run the installer of the SDK redistributable 
> but simply copy the d3dx9_27.dll file in the same directory as my ActiveX 
> dll, my activeX will work fine.
> 
> Ideally, I would like to avoid having to ask my users to download and 
> install the redistributable themselves...
> 
> I have 2 questions:
> 1- What does the d3dx9_27.dll file contain?  I am asking this because I want 
> to make sure I absolutely need it.  I have noticed that if the dll is missing 
> and I "delay load" it , my ActiveX does register, works fine and never seems 
> to try loading the missing dll.
> 2- Is it possible just to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (along with the 
> minimum distribution set as stated in the D3D documentation), but not run the 
> MS installer of the sdk redistributable?  (I mean just copying the dll in the 
> same directory as my ActiveX dll)?  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Stéphane
>

date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:29:01 -0800   author:   Stéphane Côté

Re: d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:29:01 -0800, Stphane Ct wrote:

> My question is:
> - Is it possible just to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (along with the 
> minimum distribution set as stated in the D3D documentation), but not run the 
> MS installer of the sdk redistributable?  (I mean just copying the dll in the 
> same directory as my ActiveX dll)?

Did you read the EULA for the DX redistributable components?

What does it say about this?

-- 
Please read this before replying:
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date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:41:20 -0700   author:   The March Hare [MVP]

Re: d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

Right - I had not checked that.  It makes complete sense then that the 
installer must be run.  Thanks for that...

Then does that mean we have no choice but to write an installer for our 
ActiveX?  Are you aware of an alternative solution for those who write 
downloadable ActiveX applications that use Direct3D?

Thanks,

Stéphane


"The March Hare [MVP]" wrote:

> On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:29:01 -0800, Stéphane Côté wrote:
> 
> > My question is:
> > - Is it possible just to distribute the d3dx9_27.dll file (along with the 
> > minimum distribution set as stated in the D3D documentation), but not run the 
> > MS installer of the sdk redistributable?  (I mean just copying the dll in the 
> > same directory as my ActiveX dll)?
> 
> Did you read the EULA for the DX redistributable components?
> 
> What does it say about this?
> 
> -- 
> Please read this before replying:
> 1. Dshow & posting help:  http://tmhare.mvps.org/help.htm
> 2. Trim & respond inline (please don't top post or snip everything)
> 3. Benefit others:  follow up if you are helped or you found a solution
>

date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 06:41:02 -0800   author:   Stéphane Côté

Re: d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 06:41:02 -0800, Stphane Ct wrote:

> Then does that mean we have no choice but to write an installer for our 
> ActiveX?  Are you aware of an alternative solution for those who write 
> downloadable ActiveX applications that use Direct3D?

You can link to the DirectX site on your page and say you need this
download to run your control.  XP includes D3D9 which is probably most of
your audience by now.


-- 
Please read this before replying:
1. Dshow & posting help:  http://tmhare.mvps.org/help.htm
2. Trim & respond inline (please don't top post or snip everything)
3. Benefit others:  follow up if you are helped or you found a solution

date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 07:54:26 -0700   author:   The March Hare [MVP]

Re: d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

Thanks for your help!

Stéphane


"The March Hare [MVP]" wrote:

> On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 06:41:02 -0800, Stéphane Côté wrote:
> 
> > Then does that mean we have no choice but to write an installer for our 
> > ActiveX?  Are you aware of an alternative solution for those who write 
> > downloadable ActiveX applications that use Direct3D?
> 
> You can link to the DirectX site on your page and say you need this
> download to run your control.  XP includes D3D9 which is probably most of
> your audience by now.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Please read this before replying:
> 1. Dshow & posting help:  http://tmhare.mvps.org/help.htm
> 2. Trim & respond inline (please don't top post or snip everything)
> 3. Benefit others:  follow up if you are helped or you found a solution
>

date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 07:06:01 -0800   author:   Stéphane Côté

Re: d3dx9_27.dll distribution and ActiveX   

> You can link to the DirectX site on your page and say you need this
> download to run your control.  XP includes D3D9 which is probably most of
> your audience by now.

XP does not include any version of D3DX in box.

You should either create an installer (you can create a very small 
DirectSetup install, see "Install DirectX with DirectSetup" in the DX 
documentation for details) or point users to the latest DirectX End-User Web 
install via http://www.microsoft.com/directx

-- 
Chuck Walbourn
SDE, Game Technology Group

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:09:15 -0800   author:   Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]