Shortcut Creator 4U3
New Name, New Look, New Version.
Currently in development, you can see a preview at the link below.
http://usb.smithtech.us
New: Run-Command (Dec 2, 2024), Platform 29.5.3 (Jun 27, 2024)
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At the contact address for the site. If its open source under an OSI license, I may be able to.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
You could post a how-to.
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
PortaBlog is now officially out of beta!
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
That wasn't very informative.
-
fatcerberus@yahoo.com [aim: fatcerberus]
I have no witty remarks or quotes to share at the moment.
Almost as interesting as........................................................................
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You catch my drift.
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
PortaBlog is now officially out of beta!
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Sorry, seems this didn't go through the first time.
Step 1:
Copy and paste the XML below to a file and name it manifest.u3i
Save it in a folder called Manifest.
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<u3manifest version="1.0">
<application uuid="567db8d4-3911-4ae0-81b2-d01913281c4f" version="1.0.0.0">
<name>Portable Firefox</name>
<description>Portable Firefox</description>
<icon>PortableFirefox.ico</icon>
<vendor>Portable Apps</vendor>
</application>
<actions>
<appStart cmd="%U3_DEVICE_PATH%\Programs\PortableFirefox\PortableFirefox.exe" />
</actions>
</u3manifest>
Step 2:
Copy an icon file or the application exe into the Manifest folder
Step 3:
Edit the manifest.u3i file to match your appication Name,Description,Path etc.
Step 4:
Zip the Manifest folder to Manifest.zip with Winzip or other zip util.
Step 5:
rename the zip file to {appname}.u3p
Step 6:
From the U3 Launchpad click on Add Programs, Install From My Computer,
browse to the {appname}.u3p and select it.
The Launchpad will install the shortcut.
This is just what the doctor ordered (literally)! Your shortcut-maker worked like a charm and solved a problem. Pat on the back, &c..
In step 3, add a line saying something like "Insert a new application uuid; http://kruithof.xs4all.nl/uuid/uuidgen has an automatic uuid generator".
I did this when I installed FoxIt Software's PDF reader (no cost, no fuss, no muss, and apparently portable as is) and it seems to have worked correctly. Without this, and trying to use the same uuid, you will get an "already installed" message.
Just a head's up:
appStart cmd="%U3_DEVICE_PATH%\Programs\PortableFirefox\PortableFirefox.exe" />
should read:
appStart cmd="%U3_DEVICE_PATH%\Programs\PortableFirefox\PortableFirefox.exe">
dont all tags in xml need to be closed?
Each tag in XML/XHTML must have an end tag or be self-closing, otherwise if the page is served as application/xhtml+xml or application/xml, Firefox will complain.
And that's why <img /> MUST be self-closing ( /> ) Lurk
----
R McCue
Cube Games
People who didn't need people needed people around to know that they were
the kind of people who didn't need people.
(Maskerade)
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I need this for GIMP...not Firefox!
Then change it.
~Lurk~
~Lurk~
am i supposed to know how?
I would KILL for a shortcut creator. Please let us know where we can get it.
I have posted computechx'S U3 shortcut creator on my site.
http://hypyke.home.comcast.net/U3Shortcut.zip
Please note that you need .NET installed for this to work. You can get it here - .NET Download
IF you do not choose the icon it will not grab it from the EXE by default. In the ico box browse to the EXE and select it so that it will use it's icon.
I tried it and it works great.
File is also here.
~Lurk~ Email
~Lurk~
http://rmccue.stsolutions.us/downloads/U3Shortcut.zip
Hmm, we should set up a mirror network. Maybe integrate with the CGN...
----
R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
PortaBlog is now officially out of beta!
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
""" I am pasting this post from a differnt "node"?? talking about making U3 Shortcuts and than talking about PStart """ tim
I use them BOTH.
The U3ShortCutCreator (U3SCC) is Really Great!! Works like a charm!
If I did not already have .NET I would have installed it. It's worth it.
All my NonU3 portable programs are now listed in the U3LaunchPad.
I even added a LaunchPad shortcut for PStart!! Why you might ask?
The one thing the LaunchPad or U3SCC can't do is make a shortcut for a non-program!!
I have quite a few Directories (Folders) and documents (.txt) on my U3Drive that I need to access all the time. PStart lets you create a link to those Folders or documents. I also have links to documents and folders on my 2 main "Host" machines.
LaunchPad for Apps, PStart for folder and documents.
Its a great combination.
These 2 Programs when used in conjuntion with the Latest version of the U3LaunchPad from SanDisk are the greatest things to happen to Flashdrives since they reached 512Mb in size.
By the way, the reason I keep mentioning Sandisk is because so far their latest implementation of U3 is by far the best:
(Ability to update LaunchPad = yes)
(AutoLaunch = yes or no!!!),
(USafe Password protection = yes or no),
(Ability to Remove LaunchPad (U3) = yes!!!),
(ReInstall LaunchPad (U3) after removal= Maybe? [Some people Have done it!!!])
As I've said before, The U3 platform is great, it's what the Vendors choose to give you that is the problem.
Currently I really can't ask for anything more.
Tim
Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?
I love u people! This is exactly what ive been looking for
Ill test it out when i get home
Portable apps and there members are the love of my life! It works!
Hey guys, just came accross this issue today and I spent a while trying to get thing to work, I know I'm doing something wrong but I can't figure it out. I have .Net installed and have the U3Shortcuts file downloaded. Sorry for coming off like a moron but could somebody dumb down the steps for me? I got the shortcut.exe thing to work and put a shortcut into the U3 menu but it won't launch, can't figure out how to do things right for the launchpad to install from my computer.
Again, sorry for being a moron.
Finaly figured it out!! And it only took an hour and a half! (had to take a break and go to a birthing class with my wife)
Would you mind sharing the solution?
When I run the Shortcut creator I get a U3P file that I can install, however the shortcut doesn't work and won't uninstall. I have to edit the XML files to remove it.
I am entering the title and description, however the resultant U3P file is named "Shortcut to MyApp" even when the title is just MyApp.
I am also wondering, does the application need to be in it's own folder on the USB drive or does it get packaged up with the shortcut creator? I'm pointing at the EXE on my C drive, it's 11Mb, and the U3P file located in system\apps\UUID is also 11Mb.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
The U3 Shortcut Creator is simply and ONLY that, a shortcut creator.
It will not package or install the application to the usb drive.
It will create a shortcut to the application on the USB drive.
Using it to do anything else will cause problems.
its working great! thx 4 this little app.
Ok so I used the shortcut creator, andI'm trying to get the Original Doom running using the shortcut.. I can run it jsut from the drive (IE I go into the folder and run the exe) but if I use the shortcut to run it, it cannot find the wad for the game (its in the same folder as the .exe) what should I do?
Why Doom cannot locate & load the wad:
computechx's U3 Shortcut Creator is a nifty tool, however, the ability to specify a working directory in manifest.u3i has been overlooked.
Inspect the following U3SC example:
appStart cmd="%U3_DEVICE_PATH%\Path_To_Working_Dir\executable.exe"
should read:
appStart workingdir="%U3_DEVICE_PATH%\Path_To_Working_Dir" cmd="%U3_DEVICE_PATH%\Path_To_Working_Dir\executable.exe"
Launching apps via Pegtop Pstart is a very simple workaround for those not so inclined to tinker with code. The working directory for target executables is easily specified in Pstart's configuration settings.
I currently utilize a combination of the U3 Launchpad, Pegtop Pstart and APO USB Autorun.
APO USB Autorun scans the host flashdrive upon startup and dynamically creates a menu based upon the drive's current folder structure and content via user definable filetype filters.
Manual menu creation and routine menu updating become a chore of the past.
APO USB Autorun website: http://www.archidune.com/
We should also include the following into the manifest file to ensure a clean removal:
<actions>
<appStart cmd="%U3_APP_DATA_PATH%\example.exe" workingdir="%U3_APP_DATA_PATH%"/>
<appStop cmd="%U3_HOST_EXEC_PATH%\appstop.exe"> -t -s example</appStop>
<hostCleanUp cmd="%U3_HOST_EXEC_PATH%\appstop.exe"> -t -s example</hostCleanUp>
</actions>
@computechx
Very cool - this is exactly what I was looking for!!!
But unfortunately your tool won't start on my PC
This is the error-message when I try to start U3Shortcut.exe:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/cool400/U3Shortcut.jpg
BTW, I've installed the german .NET-framework 2.0.
Hope, anyone could help me out...
Best regards
manwald
0xC0000135 is "cannot locate DLL." Hmm. Looks like computechx's program requires a DLL you don't have. Either that or your .NET installation is borked.
-
< ExplosivePrincess 1.5 Atomic Bomb Edition >
warning: keep explosiveprincess away from children
7za.exe, PackageInstaller.exe and U3P2EXE.exe
must also reside in the same directory with U3Shortcut.exe
hi,
wanted to add a shortcut for Pstart (for automatic start), but it doesn't work - "there is an error starting this application". i did it a second time, which added a second menupoint for Pstart, but it doesn't work eather. and i can't uninstall it...
what am i doing wrong?
bye
chris
ok, i could remove it manually (just had to edit the two xml-files).
Hi i've been experimenting with my new u3 stick and love the shortcut creator. Made a couple of mistakes however and am wondering how i can uninstall the shortcuts?
To Chris
On the PStart download page, you can download Pstart for U3.
http://www.pegtop.de/files/PStart.u3p
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
Hi, had this working for a while, but now I get this error:
************** Exception Text **************
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The system cannot find the file specified
at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithShellExecuteEx(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start()
at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(String fileName)
at U3Shortcut.Form1.buildInstall()
at U3Shortcut.Form1.btnGenerate_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/microsoft.net/framework/v1.1.4322/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
U3Shortcut
Assembly Version: 1.0.2359.35571
Win32 Version: 1.0.2359.35571
CodeBase: file:///K:/System/U3Shortcut/U3Shortcut.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.windows.forms/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.windows.forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.drawing/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/system.drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.xml/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.xml.dll
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 7.0.5000.0
Win32 Version: 7.10.6001.4
CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/microsoft.visualbasic/7.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/microsoft.visualbasic.dll
----------------------------------------
************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just in time (JIT) debugging, the config file for this
application or machine (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.
For example:
When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the machine
rather than being handled by this dialog.
For some reason I can't seem to get the manual method working either... grrrr!
Is there any way to uninstall/delete the shortcut if I ever want to get rid because portable apps installed to a U3 drive this way, using the U3Shortcut.exe, do not have the option to uninstall them.
Actually it appears that i can now uninstall it, although I havent tried, after removing and reinserting the U3 drive.
Just finished putting together an update to my autolauncher4u3.
https://portableapps.com/node/2212
I will be working on the shortcut creator next.
I am going to try and add some of the additional parameters such as working directory, maybe appstop and host cleanup although I don't think a Non-U3 App will be able to utilize appstop or host cleanup.
Any feedback on the need or want for these additions would be appreciated.
I am a noob with this non U3 app shortcut thing but I was happy to find this. The only problem, where do I get a .u3p file? I tried making one like you said originally but it didn't work. I don't really understand why either. Any help to get the U3SCC to work or something so I can get shortcuts would be very appreciated. Thanks!
EDIT: Sorry, I'm also new to this site and didn't mean to put a reply under this post.
With the shortcut creator you don't need to make the .u3p file.
Just run the U3Shortcut.exe and point it to the app you want to create a shortcut for.
Fill in the shortcut name, etc. and click Add ShortCut
The Shortcut Creator does the rest for you.
You will need the .NET framework installed on your machine, if your current with your windows updates its already installed.
Whenever I use it, it asks for the u3p file. But if I had a u3p file couldn't I just be able to install it directly to the U3 Drive? Also, if I try making a manifest file it doesn't work. I'm trying to get Firefox 2.0, NVU, 7-Zip, and Sunbird (all portable versions) to work since I can't find u3 versions of them. Any help as to how to get shortcuts for these programs made would be much appreciated!
I've tested the program on several different machines with different configurations.
It works perfectly on all of them.
You can wait for the next version, but it may be a while.
I have to do a complete re-write as I lost the original source code.
New Name, New Look, New Version.
Currently in development, you can see a preview at the link below.
http://usb.smithtech.us
I can't wait! I hope that you mean there will be examples of what to do when you say "previewing each step in the creation process." That would really help me. But do you have any idea when this might become available (a day or two, a week, a month)? It doesn't really matter, I just want to know.
The first beta will be available in a day or two.
I have been working on this all day/night.
There is a "usable" preview on my website.
http://usb.smithtech.us
At this point the manifest, zip, and u3p buttons are working.
After you complete each step in order you will have to manually add the program using the LaunchPad Add Software option.
The files are created in the c:\temp directory in a sub directory named the same as the Shortcut name.
Any comment, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated.
Yea, I was raising money for the homeless but now that I am back...
Wow, that is a lot of progress being made very quickly.
I read the text below for instructions and I was just wondering what the AppStop would be used for and what apps might use the working directory.
EDIT: Apparently the "Browse" buttons do not work? They just crash the system... Didn't know if that was supposed to happen but whatever. I keep getting the 429 runtime error.
EDIT2: Alright, I just ran the program, manually put in the icon path and app path (without extensions) and it worked (the making of it) but it didn't have the icon and it didn't work (run). Also, when I tried to remake the manifest file and xip file and u3p, when it got to u3p, it crashed because it said there was already a file. So, SUGGESTION: Ask if we want to overwrite. BTW, I was making a shortcut for 7-ZipPortable. Also, I can't uninstall it even if I reinsert the USB and the vendor link doesn't work.
I haven't figured out why it work on my machine but not others.
However I have figured out how to fix it, go figure.
There is a new fully functional VB.NET version on my website.
The VB6 version will be a while as I don't have much time with work and the holidays coming up.
You can manually remove the botched shortcut by removing its entries from
LPDB.xml & LPGDB.xml in the System\Apps directory on your U3 Drive.
Hope this helps.
Also you should back up this directory before testing anything, just copy it back if something goes wrong.
What does Show Msg do? What message is there? And suggestion, make the window un-sizable and make the graphic a bit wider so it doesn't repeat. It looks a little bad that way.
And just to let you know, it works and well. But what would I use the AppStop and Working Dir for?
In advanced mode (the Show Adv check box) the shortcut creator will display a message to let you know that each step completed when using the step by step buttons. Un-checking the "Show Msg" buttons turns the messages off.
I will fix the window and graphic in the next release.
The AppStop command is for the U3 LaunchPad to be able to close an application if it is still open when you click "eject", the application must have a command line switch to support this.
The working directory is for apps that need a reference point to where they are being run from for certain functionality.
Hope this helps.
Where would I find out if I need a working dir? And what would it be? Would it just be the folder in which the app is in (G:\System\Apps\AppNamePortable\) or would it need to be spesific (G:\System\Apps\AppNamePortable\Directory\) or would it have to be in the uuid folder?
Most likely it would be the folder in which the app is in.
But that would really depend on the app.
But which apps need the working directory? And so it would most likely usually be G:\System\Apps\AppNamePortable ? Also, thank you so much for all the support so far.
Posted an update that should fix the Error 429 in the VB6 preview.
New Updates posted, check the beta forums so I don't have to keep double posting.
thanx a lot computechx for your nice u3shortcutcreator. It works perfectlty. For people who have problems, make sure your apps are finely and correctly installed on your flash drive in a folder named 'portable apps' for example. Then make sure, when using Shortcut creator, to work directly upon the apps into the 'portable apps' folder.
Using shortcut creator 4u3.net.2.0.8 I was able to successfully create a shortcut for the program I want to add. The program runs successfully on my computer, but when I take the flash drive to a computer where the application is not installed I cannot get it to run. An error along the lines of the program not being properly installed and needing to be reinstalled.
Is there something I am missing in the process? I tried reinstalling the program from the cd to a directory on the flash drive, but that did not seem to make a difference. What I am misunderstanding or where might I begin troubleshooting?
Did you select the exe that was on the Flash drive? And are you sure everything you needed was installed on the flash drive? Also, make sure you put the working directory to the flash drive not the computer. Other than that I can't help you. So I hope that helps.
Some applications install dll files or registry entries that are required for the application to work correctly.
If these files do not exist on the portable drive or the pc your plugging it into, the application will not work.
Sorry but I can't help you with this.
John
www.smithtech.us
smithtechmail-usbprojects@yahoo.com
"Because they stand on a wall and say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.'" (A Few Good Men)
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.(Albert Einstein)
I set the working drive to the flash directory and got a new error of U3 being unable to launch the program. Originally I had gone with the idea that the items in yellow must be the only mandatory items. When i tried to uninstall I was unsuccessful.
Out of curiosity I checked the advanced options box and noticed that the files being created were going in c:\temp. Is that correct?
I may reinstall Launchpad and try again from scratch this weekend. There is a .dll file associated with the application on the flash drive.
The items in yellow (Name & Path) are the only "mandatory" items.
Every shortcut must have a name and a link to the file it is a shortcut to.
The rest are optional and application dependent, some applications may need them, some may not.
If there is a dll file associated with your app, it may need to be registered on the system it is being run on. Or it may simply need to be copied to to same directory as the app. Again this depends on the app.
What app are you trying this with?
John
www.smithtech.us
smithtechmail-usbprojects@yahoo.com
"Because they stand on a wall and say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.'" (A Few Good Men)
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.(Albert Einstein)
The application is Easy Grade Pro. I am a teacher and being able to access and edit grades from any computer would be quite helpful.
Sorry this has taken so long. I could have sworn I responded before.
I downloaded the Easy Grade Pro and tried to make it work portably.
No success.
Could be a dll that needs registering, could be a registry entry(although I think I got all the registry entries using inctrl5 to track the install)
Sorry.
Try emailing the manufacturer and explaining what you are trying to do.
I doubt they will be much help, but its worth a shot.
John
smithtechmail-usbprojects@yahoo.com
"Because they stand on a wall and say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.'" (A Few Good Men)
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.(Albert Einstein)
Thanks for trying on this. I'm sure somebody will get around to writing something eventually, just hasn't happened yet.
I added Portable Firefox 2 using this wonderful program, but it is not portable.
It only grabs my settings from the local PC I am connected to and then if I switch PCs it will not find those settings and therefore reverts back to the "fresh install" default settings.
Any ideas?
Cheers for this program it works great for almost every other Portable app I have tried.
Sounds like you pointed the Shortcut Creator to the wrong .exe
Firefox Portable launcher I believe passes a parameter to the "real" firefox.exe to tell it to use the portable profile.
Remove the shortcut you created and add a new one. Make sure you point Shortcut Creator to the FirefoxPortable.exe
John
smithtechmail-usbprojects@yahoo.com
"Because they stand on a wall and say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.'" (A Few Good Men)
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.(Albert Einstein)
You are a brilliant man
Thank you soooooo much! I've been working my butt off trying to get the codes working on my own, but with this! It works perfectly!
I don't want to use the beta version so I'm sticking with the base one for now, but I would be very happy to know when the final release candidate for version 2 will be released. Thanks =).
If anyone could help me make FireFox 2 U3 compatible for my own use, I'd appreciate the help greatly. I'd also like to know when the official version will be released.
I just posted Release Candidate 2 of version 2.
It should be working perfectly at this point and the help file is done as well.
At this point if I don't get any negative feedback I will be making this the final version.
http://usb.smithtech.us/u3/shortcut_creator.htm
SmithTech
"Because they stand on a wall and say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.'" (A Few Good Men)
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.(Albert Einstein)