Database Develop

how can I extract .cab file from a windows install

For a lot of program's i don't need a desktop to setup my PDA. But some programs like .net from microsoft, oziexplorer, citrix, resco-fileexplorer can only be installed from a windows-PC.
is there a way to extract or keep-from-a-temporary-space the .cab file that must be somewhere during the install.
wouldn't it be nice to totally rebuild your system with one button after flashing/testing a new ROM or after a empty-battery situation on holiday.

Strangely enough, this is exactly what I do. I stick to cab downloads where possible (keeping them on the SD) but there are ways to extract the cabs from the installer where there isn't one available. Theres a couple of ways you can:
1. Sometimes the installler is built on a zip and you can just open the exe in winzip. If you have winzip shell extensions installed you get an "open in winzip" option on the right-click menu.
2. If that doesn't work, run up the installer and proceed the the part where it copies it to the phone. There are two places you can find the cab. The first is on your PC in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp\. Sort by date to find the most recent file. The other place is on the phone itself...the installer actually copies the cab to the phone the installs it. I think you can find the cab in \Windows\AppMgr but it's been a while and that may be wrong.

some apps will put their cab on m$ activesync dir.
have u try sprite backup to backup ur system including storage.

Guy's,
thanks for your info. Got it complete in cab files on my storagecard now. Some i found in programfiles/activesync on the desktop. Sometimes it wasn't clear which cab file to use, so i started the install from the desktop. Then on the PDA when the question comes about where to install, then i started fileexplorer to see where the temporary cab file is. They all where in windows/appmgr/install.
thx,
xdaradar

How to keep cab file from programs that install from desktop

I believe most of you will know that some programs like those from Spb runs from windows desktop as an exe file, using activesync, send the cab file over to your pda, runs the cab file.
I find this very troublesome when I need to do a re-install. So I decided to find out, where is the cab file on the pda, so that I can save it for re-installation later.
The folder that cabs are sent to on your pda before the cabs are executed is in the main memory, Windows\AppMgr\Install.
So the trick is, run the installation on your desktop, when your pda ask you where to install the program, click "explore" on your activesync, navigate to Windows\AppMgr\Install in the main memory, copy the cab file there to your storage card. Next, you can continue with the installation process on the pda.
I believe this information would be useful for many people. It would be good if the moderator can put this little piece of infor somewhere that others could refer to.

Similarly, those "desktop .exe" installers leave the .cab PPC installable files in the PC either in \Program File\Microsoft ActiveSync\"developer directory" or \Program Files\"developer directory".

Thanks
Thanks for these valuable information.

You can also extract that cab from the installer files a lot of times too. Use an app such as WinRAR to extract the cab from the executable. I use that method quite frequently as well as hunting in the Activesync folder as mentioned above.

Having trouble with zip and xml files

when i install a cab and exe files, i use active sync, extract the file to a folder on my tilt, open it up with my tilt, and boo yah, its installed. not so with zip and xml files. when its either one of these, however i do the same steps as above except when i open it up on my tilt it connects to internet explorer, looks like it "installs", then i get a whole bunch of wording like this:
-<wap.provisioningdoc>
-<charaxteristic
type="install">
etc., etc., etc.
but i NEVER get the program. i see ppl posting opens and loads of various other things in zip and xml format, but i can not obtain these files. What am i doing wrong??

With zip files extract one level only. Normally the zip will extract to either a CAB or an EXE.
Most EXE's you run on the PC with the device AS connected.
CAB files move (unextracted) to the PPC either main or storage card and tap to run on the device.
Sometimes you get a combination of an XML and an EXE (eg Kaiser Tweak) where you move both files to the PPC into a folder and then run the EXE on the device. These are relatively rare - most exe's run on the PC.
If you continue to have problems it is best to give a specific example of the file type and software in question.
Mike

A Question for cabfile or package creator

Do you know how can I put my name and my registration code into my package ( for kitchen) or how can I put them into the cab file so I dont need to type the code everything I do the hardreset. THX

If your software keep the reg info in the registry, just add this key to your package's rgu; if on the other hand the info is in a file, just add the file and don't forget to add the file into initflashfiles

adwinp said:
If your software keep the reg info in the registry, just add this key to your package's rgu; if on the other hand the info is in a file, just add the file and don't forget to add the file into initflashfiles
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How can I know which one in registry, which one in the file. Please let me know.
For example resco explorer I can not find where is the key storaged
Thx so much

Please anyone. Anyone can help?? THX SO MUCH

etenx500 said:
Please anyone. Anyone can help?? THX SO MUCH
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Click to collapse
Some one plz

etenx500 said:
Some one plz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use this software WinCE CabManager:
http://www.ocpsoftware.com/products.php?nm=cecabmgr
if u want further help u can mail me or PM.
Functions are:
Open Existing Cabinet Files
Open any Windows CE CAB file, as well as Smartphone and Pocket PC theme files.
Create New Cabinet Files
Allows you to create a brand-new CAB file, add the Windows CE files, shortcuts and registry entries needed to install your application, and then save the new CAB file to disk.
Modify Cabinet Information
View and modify general information about the Windows CE CAB file, such as the name of the company and of the application, processor and operating system version required to run the application, and the default installation directory.
Modify Windows CE File Entries
The Windows CE files stored in a CAB file can be viewed and modified, and new files can be added. You can change the order in which the files will be installed, the location where each file will be installed, and more.
Modify Shortcut Entries
The shortcut entries stored in a CAB file can be viewed and modified, and new shortcuts can be added. You can change the location where each shortcut will be installed, the name and target of the shortcut, and more.
Modify Registry Entries
The registry entries stored in a CAB file can be viewed and modified, and new entries can be added.
Modify Setup DLL Information
You can view information about the Setup DLL included in a cabinet, or add a new Setup DLL to the cabinet.
Full Drag and Drop Support
Use your mouse to quickly and easily add and extract files between WinCE CAB Manager and any other application that supports "Drag and Drop", such as Windows Explorer.
Full Copy and Paste Support
Quickly and easily add and extract files between WinCE CAB Manager and any other application that supports "Copy and Paste" operations, such as Windows Explorer.
Import/Export Windows CE INF Files
Automatically generate and load CAB files from your existing Windows CE INF files, or use the WinCE CAB Manager to edit the CAB files and then generate an INF file for use with automated builds.
Automation Support
The WinCE CAB Manager exposes a COM Automation interface which allows it to be manipulated from other programs, such as Visual Basic or even VBScript.
Support for Third-Party "Add-Ins"
The WinCE CAB Manager functionality can be expanded through the use of COM-based "Add-Ins".

most installations create cabs

Whenever I install a program it appears to open a cab on my kaiser.
Rather than running the installers all the time on my laptop, is there a way to find those cabs and just move them to my storage card so I can install them if I am away from my laptop?

go to the installation folder on ur desktop and the cab would be in a folder in there. usually the folder marked 'installation files' or 'resources'..
just look for the cab file.

found some..
but not most ...
Very odd..

If you mean that when you run a .exe on your laptop to install a program on your kaiser, then it is possible to sometimes extract the cabs from the .exe or installer. A program called Universal Extractor can extract over 50 types of files including most installers. It is free, and supports many languages. It even adds an entry to the context menu, so you can right click nearly any file. It will then try to find the appropriate extracting tool, and then if it succeeds, it will place the files in a folder in the same directory as the original file. Try this, it has worked very well for me.
Dave

ParrotSquawk said:
but not most ...
Very odd..
Click to expand...
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If it helps, I tend to find most of them are in C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync