Cameyo

Martin Zugec · Newbie

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed

mule · Guru

Hello Martin,

I remember your name from the previous forum. smile

GhostCapture is a feature of Cameyo but not its targeted strength. If GhostCapture doesn't work for an application, I would suggest trying Online Packager. PrimalForms CE has a silent installer, so Online Packager works for it (just use msi switches). Unfortunately, there will always be some complicated applications that won't work by GhostCapture or Online Packager. For these, a VM is preferred; however, you can try installing in Sandboxie. Forum member Shawn has had successes with this method and wrote a creative guide here. I tested PrimalForms CE with it and it worked. The only thing I would add to Shawn's guide is to put Sandboxie's Sandbox path in Cameyo's packager.xml PathsToAvoid. For me, that was C:\Sandbox.

Martin Zugec · Newbie

Hello Mule,

I tend to be pretty active when I like something (and I love the idea of Cameyo)... Also, I've got tons of experiences with application isolation from the past (from AIE through App-V to Citrix and ThinApp)...

My problem is that if your target audience are home users, then it's probably not the best way to require them to use online packager or snapshoter (and they're probably not going to have another VM just for packaging). IMHO this is the reason why Cameo is popular amongst power users, but not widespread amongs group like parents or elderly people ;)

I know that GhostCapture could work - essentially it is the same approach as Citrix is doing with Citrix Application Streaming, but the success rate is much, much higher. Seems that Cameyo got some issues with Windows Installer based packages, which are very common and represents majority of application packages these days. That's why I would really like to see GhostCapture as primary method in the future. I can use VM or online packager, but thinking about average Joe, GhostCapture would be the best approach

tony200910041 · Veteran Member

GhostCapture is suitable for some small app.
If the installer is msi file, you may try to extract it by 7-zip first, and add the files into a new package (if the extraction is successful). Choose the isolated mode. Choose to extract the data folder into the same directory. Choose leave no registry traces.
Run the app. You will find some new files in the data folder. Then repackage them into the executable. (either by Cameyo or use the command line repackage)
I found this method very useful if it is a trouble to install the software. It is especially successful in Windows Installer (msi file).

Martin Zugec · Newbie

Hi Tony,

Thanks for feedback, but that's not exactly what I'm after.

I don't have a problem with installing it myself, but it's hardly usable for normal users and requires a lot of computer skills.
Since Cameyo is supposed to be easy to use and focused mostly on home users, it could get a lot more traction if capturing process could be simplified.

Especially since Windows Installer mode can be fixed (as Citrix is doing with their ghost capture).

I feel that Cameyo is tool that could get a lot more attention if details like these could be fixed - I spoke with few people that tried Cameyo, but once they realized it doesn't work out of the box, they gave up and simply installed the applications to OS itself.

Martin

tony200910041 · Veteran Member

Hi Martin,

In fact I think Cameyo is a tool that can replace a shareware: VMWare Thinapp, which is very expensive.

So if you want to be very, very, very simple, simply copy the files in %Program Files% folder. Then although most of the setting of the software can't be portable, it still be very useful since it is the final method to make portable app.

There are still many problems in Cameyo now. It is a very good tool, but it really needs improvement.

Also there are no similar freeware which can replace Cameyo, so Cameyo is the only choice. Making portable app is not as simple as just clicking a few button. Anyway using the basic mode to capture an app will be fine.

By the way I suggest these two software, in these you can choose to search for some files left in the system: IObit Uninstaller and Wise Program Uninstaller. Install the software again and use one of these to remove the software, and package again with the basic capture mode. It will be easier to success, but for advanced user only...

Tony