version 0.4 - see comments for downloads
I have created a program that lets you start programs on plug-in or eject of the drive. It starts all programs listed in the Autostart.ini file and then the PortableApps.com Menu. You place it in the root directory of your drive (F:/,G:/,etc) and set it instead of StartPortableApps.exe as the Autorun executable. This program would be useful if you have Miranda or Portable Skype and you want to start it as soon as you plug it in. It is very simple, but some people may find it useful until it is integrated into the PortableApps.com Menu.
It is reccommended just to use the wizard found at http://www.isaacwaller.com/usbstart/ to create Autostart.ini files, as it is much easier.
What to change in Autorun.inf:
[Autorun]
Open=StartPortableApps.exe
Action=Start PortableApps.com
Icon=StartPortableApps.exe
Label=Isaac USB
to:
[Autorun]
Open=USBStart.exe
Action=Start PortableApps.com
Icon=StartPortableApps.exe
Label=Isaac USB
Thank you,
Isaac Waller
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I and some others have made these types of apps, as they are probably the biggest thing that the menu is lacking currently. Taneth111 wrote MenuLauncher Portable, and I wrote UP ME and MultiLaunch. a plugin system in planning by Xopher (maggotb0y, author of geek.menu) where you can add plugins. See I am very bad at C++ (mainly because the structuring of the code bugs me) so I wrote mine in the same lang as the launchers, NSIS. Hopefully, autorunning multiple apps will be in the PAM 1.2/1.5/2.0 (whichever one it is).
And Welcome to PortableApps.com :D.
(BTW, you happen to know how to obtain the name of all executables within every subfolder of a given folder??? I'm trying to figure out the algorithm to write an app manager for the menu ;)).
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What language? The basic idea is to start a search in your top directory for all files and folders (*.*). If a found item is a folder (do an attribute check) then you recurse into that folder doing the same thing, search for all (*.*). If the item is a file, check for the EXE extension and add it to your list. It'll end up being a small looking loop, but you call the function from within itself (recurse).
Now, in most languages this is fine because you can declare variables in a local scope (when recursing you won't overwrite your previous variables where you will store the search handles). NSIS doesn't make this distinction I don't think, so you might have trouble if that's your language.
EDIT - you're going to have issues in NSIS. From the manual -
4.2.1.1 Var
[/GLOBAL] var_name
Declare a user variable. Allowed characters for variables names: [a-z][A-Z][0-9] and '_'. All defined variables are global, even if defined in a section or a function.
AHK or Delphi or C++ (now that I got a book) or any C style language.
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For a easier way to create Autostart.ini files:
http://www.isaacwaller.com/usbstart/
is there any chance that I can see the PHP code for that page? I'm trying to learn PHP but the PHP book is in the Community College so I can't get it :(.
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http://www.isaacwaller.com/usbstart/usbstart_code.zip
.3 link is dead
Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.
It works for me...
Don't right-click and save target as because it goes to a webpage first.
it works now, it was dead for about half an hour for me
Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.
#MENUPStart\PStart.exe
PStart
Will start "PStart.exe" instead of the PortableApps menu. (you must put it before anything else, include a starting directory!)
Download:
http://www.isaacwaller.com/download.php?id=7 - Executable
http://www.isaacwaller.com/download.php?id=8 - Source
Thank you, Isaac
Here is my autorun.inf:
[Autorun]
Open=v04.exe
Action=Start PortableApps.com
Icon=StartPortableApps.exe
Label=My Brain
When the drive connects it is detected and goodsync starts its automatic synchronization but USBstart does not run. If I manually start it, it starts the program in my autostart.ini just fine and also the portable apps menu as well.
Paul
Are you sure autoplay is enabled on that computer?
Try on another computer; if it works, it is probably the autoplay.
Issac
Can you write a little description of the format of parameters in ini file?
--- Piotr Dobrogost
Please talk to the site's developers to make this feature integrated into the portableApps menu.
Wouldn't a batch file work just as well? Or is this mainly for people who don't want/know how to create a batch file? Just curious thanks and nice work!