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Post Info TOPIC: Virtualization of old software


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Virtualization of old software
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Hi,

I have software which I can only install under Windows XP but not under newer Windows Versions. Is it possible to virtualize this software with Cameyo? I tried it with the online package builder but it appears the same error like under Windows 10 that the software cannot be installed. The software is a Delphi application and uses the Borland database engine (BDE). The original setup is  self-extracting zip with following files:

DISK1.ID
list.txt
SETUP.EXE
SETUP.INI
SETUP.INS
SETUP.PKG
_INST32I.EX_
_ISDEL.EXE
_SETUP.1
_SETUP.DLL
_SETUP.LIB

 

I found in SETUP.exe the following text:  InstallShield Launcher SE v2.1 (C) InstallShield Corporation, Inc.

I know I could setup a VM with XP and install it there but the VM needs much more disk space than an app virtualization.

I could install it in a VM under Ubuntu (Wine is great!!). Very strange that an old Windows app runs on Linux but not on newer Windows versions!

Do I need to setup a VM with a clean Windows XP and record the installation with Cameyo?

Thanks, Rolf

 

 



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Please see this guide on best practices. http://www.cameyo.com/resources/Packaging%20Best%20Practice.pdf
Also, in your case, I would recommend packaging with a clean xp machine. Make sure you turn off anything unnecessary that will write to a file or registry. This is what I normally do.

1. Create a clean virtual machine and install the OS.
2. Take a snapshot of the virtual machine so you can restore it later if you need to.
3. Run Cameyo.exe -StartCapture and wait for the success message.
4. Wait for a set amount of time. I usually give it an hour. During this time, keep the virtual machine running, but do not use it at all. We are going to use this time to make sure unnecessary files and registry entries are not being picked up.
5. Run Cameyo.exe -EndCapture and wait for the message saying it cannot autodetect or w/e. Ignore it and build it anyways. Edit the package and confirm there are no file and registry entries. If you don't need to turn off any unnecessary programs or services, you should either have an empty package or receive an APIRET error. I have no idea why I get APIRET error or even if that tells you the package is empty but those are the results I get. If you find unnecessary files and registry entries being picked up, google the file/registry key and see what write it and disable that program.
6. Once you have confirmed no unnecessary files and registry entries are being picked up, reboot the computer and repeat steps 3-5. We want to be sure we aren't picking up extra files and registry keys. If we are good, continue to the next step, otherwise, repeat steps 3-5 until you are.
7. Reboot your computer one more time. You are now ready to package your application. I would also use the -StartCapture and -EndCapture as you can redo the end capture using this method if you mess up. Optionally you could always rely on snapshots to backup the pre and post captures.



-- Edited by betaleaf on Friday 25th of March 2016 08:14:33 PM

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Jeff Savage ~ BetaLeaf https://betaleaf.net/



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Many Thanks for the prompt and detailed answer!

Sounds rather complicated! I must see if I find my old XP installation disks. What about activation? Can I use the product key of an old laptop that I don't use anymore? Or is there no need for activation?

Rolf

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There is no need to activate windows on the virtual machine. It will not effect packaging whatsoever. You can always use snapshots to restore the os back to its "grace period" trial that it gives you before it locks you out of windows and ofc you can always just reinstall Windows XP.

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Jeff Savage ~ BetaLeaf https://betaleaf.net/



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So, I installed a XP virtual machine under VirtualBox and captured the installation of SAMBA (this old software) with cameyo.
But the package doesn't run. I get the following error on start up:

C:\Program Files\PH-Consult\SAMBA2005_7\SAMBA.exe is not a valid Win32 application

The application runs without problems in the virtual XP machine.

Rolf

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please run the package with the -troubleshoot flag and post the log.

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Jeff Savage ~ BetaLeaf https://betaleaf.net/

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