Question:
Is there a way to prompt an end user to restart his machine after running the setup program to install my software? (I am developing in VFP 3.0 under Windows 98.)
Answer:
If you are using the Setup wizard (which ships with VFP) to make distribution media (disks, network installs, etc.), there is an option in Step 4 of the wizard called “post-setup executable.” If you select a post-setup executable, it will automatically be run after everything has been installed. The executable can be a VFP executable, since your setup program has just installed all of the VFP runtime files. You must also make sure that the post-setup executable is in the list of files that will be distributed.
Here are the steps to create a post-setup executable that displays a message box reminding the installer to reboot the machine:
- Create a project that will be used to compile the post-setup executable. For sake of example let’s call the project “post”. To create the project, enter the following command from the command window:
CREATE PROJECT POST
- Create a program called main.prg with the following contents:
_SCREEN.Caption = "Setup"
MESSAGEBOX("Installation is now complete. Please reboot this machine to complete the installation") - Add main.prg to the project and build an executable called post.exe.
- When running the Setup wizard, make sure to put “post.exe” into the textbox labeled “post-setup executable” in Step 4 of the wizard.
You may also want to take a look at a Windows API function called ExitWindows, which can be used to force a reboot.
If you are using InstallShield to install your program, I believe that there is something similar to VFP’s post-setup executable.