MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

I usually deploy my Visual Basic.NET software using the MicroSoft Deployment 
interface.  The MSI file is created and I allow it to be installed over the 
network.  I recently added some sound features to one of my packages using 
DirectX.DirectSound and I was wondering how must of you developers check for 
and install the DirectX runtime on the client machine.  I was planning on 
using the "Launch Condition" in the Setup package.  Any thoughts on including 
the runtime on the distribution?

Sincerely,
Don

date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:07:00 -0800 author: DGP

Re: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

Typically it's done via an MSI Custom Action to call DXSETUP.EXE (in the DX 
SDK REDIST) folder. Note that you can configure the DXSETUP by removing 
unneeded cabs.

See the DirectX SDK article "DirectX Installation for Game Developers" for 
details
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742(VS.85).aspx

-- 
Chuck Walbourn
SDE, XNA Developer Connection

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

date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:24:50 -0800 author: Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]

Re: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

Chuck,

Thanks for the link, all good stuff.  The author must be a genius!  However, 
since I haven't distributed with DirectX before, it would be helpful to have 
a hands on example.  What I glean from the article is that I need to create a 
custom action to run dxsetup.exe without prompting the user.  And currently 
I'm not even going to worry about reducing the size of the library.  Yet, I'm 
not sure if this "custom action" requires a "launch condition" or other 
deployment tool.  In other words, how ingrained is the inclusion of DirectX 
-- or is it an ad-hoc work around.  

I was looking on various sites like www.codeproject.com for an example.  Do 
any pop into mind?  I am quite familar with Visual Studio development and 
simple deployment methods, only this appears to be more advanced.

Sincerely,
Don

"Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]" wrote:

> Typically it's done via an MSI Custom Action to call DXSETUP.EXE (in the DX 
> SDK REDIST) folder. Note that you can configure the DXSETUP by removing 
> unneeded cabs.
> 
> See the DirectX SDK article "DirectX Installation for Game Developers" for 
> details
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742(VS.85).aspx
> 
> -- 
> Chuck Walbourn
> SDE, XNA Developer Connection
> 
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. 
> 
> 
>

date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:23:37 -0800 author: DGP

Re: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

Chuck,

I bit more on the DirectX installation.  The article you wrote and 
referenced is very good and explains the theory.   My main confusion is in 
actually applying the theory.  It would seem that I need to import the 
DirectX redistribution files into the deployment project, but do I do this by 
dragging it into the "Project" or go to the "File System" under the 
"application folder" tab, then add an assembly.  Finally, once I have the 
proper files can I work with the Visual Studio GUI to force a silent running 
or is this going to be done by editing a script?  I'll continue my quest for 
what appears to be a non-trivial endeavor.

Sincerely,
Don

"Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]" wrote:

> Typically it's done via an MSI Custom Action to call DXSETUP.EXE (in the DX 
> SDK REDIST) folder. Note that you can configure the DXSETUP by removing 
> unneeded cabs.
> 
> See the DirectX SDK article "DirectX Installation for Game Developers" for 
> details
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742(VS.85).aspx
> 
> -- 
> Chuck Walbourn
> SDE, XNA Developer Connection
> 
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. 
> 
> 
>

date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:23:56 -0800 author: DGP

RE: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

"DGP" wrote:

> 
> I usually deploy my Visual Basic.NET software using the MicroSoft Deployment 
> interface.  The MSI file is created and I allow it to be installed over the 
> network.  I recently added some sound features to one of my packages using 
> DirectX.DirectSound and I was wondering how must of you developers check for 
> and install the DirectX runtime on the client machine.  I was planning on 
> using the "Launch Condition" in the Setup package.  Any thoughts on including 
> the runtime on the distribution?
> 
> Sincerely,
> Don

date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:28:00 -0700 author: supoch14

Re: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

"Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]" wrote:

> Typically it's done via an MSI Custom Action to call DXSETUP.EXE (in the DX 
> SDK REDIST) folder. Note that you can configure the DXSETUP by removing 
> unneeded cabs.
> 
> See the DirectX SDK article "DirectX Installation for Game Developers" for 
> details
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742(VS.85).aspx
> 
> -- 
> Chuck Walbourn
> SDE, XNA Developer Connection
> 
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. 
> 
> 
>

date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:29:00 -0700 author: supoch14

Re: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

"DGP" wrote:

> Chuck,
> 
> Thanks for the link, all good stuff.  The author must be a genius!  However, 
> since I haven't distributed with DirectX before, it would be helpful to have 
> a hands on example.  What I glean from the article is that I need to create a 
> custom action to run dxsetup.exe without prompting the user.  And currently 
> I'm not even going to worry about reducing the size of the library.  Yet, I'm 
> not sure if this "custom action" requires a "launch condition" or other 
> deployment tool.  In other words, how ingrained is the inclusion of DirectX 
> -- or is it an ad-hoc work around.  
> 
> I was looking on various sites like www.codeproject.com for an example.  Do 
> any pop into mind?  I am quite familar with Visual Studio development and 
> simple deployment methods, only this appears to be more advanced.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Don
> 
> "Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]" wrote:
> 
> > Typically it's done via an MSI Custom Action to call DXSETUP.EXE (in the DX 
> > SDK REDIST) folder. Note that you can configure the DXSETUP by removing 
> > unneeded cabs.
> > 
> > See the DirectX SDK article "DirectX Installation for Game Developers" for 
> > details
> > http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742(VS.85).aspx
> > 
> > -- 
> > Chuck Walbourn
> > SDE, XNA Developer Connection
> > 
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. 
> > 
> > 
> >

date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:29:01 -0700 author: supoch14

Re: MSI Deployment with DirectX runtime

"DGP" wrote:

> Chuck,
> 
> I bit more on the DirectX installation.  The article you wrote and 
> referenced is very good and explains the theory.   My main confusion is in 
> actually applying the theory.  It would seem that I need to import the 
> DirectX redistribution files into the deployment project, but do I do this by 
> dragging it into the "Project" or go to the "File System" under the 
> "application folder" tab, then add an assembly.  Finally, once I have the 
> proper files can I work with the Visual Studio GUI to force a silent running 
> or is this going to be done by editing a script?  I'll continue my quest for 
> what appears to be a non-trivial endeavor.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Don
> 
> 
> "Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]" wrote:
> 
> > Typically it's done via an MSI Custom Action to call DXSETUP.EXE (in the DX 
> > SDK REDIST) folder. Note that you can configure the DXSETUP by removing 
> > unneeded cabs.
> > 
> > See the DirectX SDK article "DirectX Installation for Game Developers" for 
> > details
> > http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742(VS.85).aspx
> > 
> > -- 
> > Chuck Walbourn
> > SDE, XNA Developer Connection
> > 
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. 
> > 
> > 
> >

date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:30:01 -0700 author: supoch14