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error starting Portableapps on linux using wine

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March 26, 2013 - 10:14am
#1
jojothehobo
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error starting Portableapps on linux using wine

I tried to run my portable apps usb on a modern (Zorin 6 ultimate) Linux distribution, using Wine. I'm running a two year old desktop with AMD quad core with 8gb ram and 256 gb hard drive.I got an error message:

start message:

NSIS was not found!(Looked for it in ..\NSISPortable\App\NSIS\makensis.exe)

You can specify a custom path to makensis.lexe in Z:\media\NONAMEFOR\PortableApps\PortableApps.comlauncher\Data\settings.ini,[GeneratorWizard]:makensis

end message

I would really like to run portable apps on Linux since that would give me even more reason to get rid of Windows. Does anyone know what my error message means and if there is a way to make PortableApps run under wine or some other emulator?

Thanks
Jojo

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March 26, 2013 - 10:59am
Bennieboj
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NSIS installed?

I suppose you're trying to make a portableapp using the launcher.
Did you actually install the Unicode version of NSISPortable? Since that is required, as is mentioned at the PortableApps.com Launcher page.
If not, install it. Otherwise, I can't help you, don't worry, someone els will Smile

Yes, I set the working directory!

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March 26, 2013 - 4:26pm
(Reply to #2)
jojothehobo
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NSIS installed?

Thanks for the reply Bennieboi. I'm not trying to make a portable app using the launcher, but am trying to use the portableapps I already have in a Linux environment.

What I will try, at your suggestion, is download NSIS and load it to the portableapps folder and see what that does. I'll reply as to how it works out.

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March 27, 2013 - 3:17am
(Reply to #3)
Simeon
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use

If you want to use portableapps, why are you running the PortableApps.comlauncher. Its a programm designed to make portable apps' launchers. If you are just a normal user, then you dont need this programm.
Besides that, as stated on the portableapps.com launcher's page, you need NSIS Portable to run the portableapps.com launcher (as was already pointed out).

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

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March 26, 2013 - 4:33pm
(Reply to #4)
jojothehobo
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where to place NSIS

Hi:
I went to download NSIS from SourceForge. No problem. But then I checked my PortableApps folder and saw three PortableApps folders inside the global folder:
PortableApps-the global folder holding the launcher and all the installed software, and three subfolders:
PortableApps.com
PortableApps.comInstaller
PortableApps.comLauncher

My question. The PortableApps launcher page you directed me to has the following statement:

The PortableApps.com Launcher generator requires NSIS Portable (Unicode) 2.46 Rev 2 or higher to be installed alongside it (usually both to the X:\PortableApps directory) to function.

So does that mean I install NSIS in main folder as well as to the PortableApps.comLauncher folder? Please advise where I can place it.

Thanks again

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March 27, 2013 - 3:18am
(Reply to #5)
Simeon
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install location

It needs to be installed into the portableaps folder like all other portable apps.

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

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March 26, 2013 - 4:39pm
(Reply to #6)
jojothehobo
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NSIS installed 3

Hi:
Two more questions.

1. Which version of NSIS should I use, the 2.46_Rev_2 or the 2.46.5 version(slightly bigger).

2. Since they have .paf.exe extensions do I just use the lanucher to install them by pointing it to the file?
Thanks for the help. This is my last question, at least until I hear back.
all the best
Jojo

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March 26, 2013 - 5:31pm
(Reply to #7)
Bennieboj
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A few questions/remarks:I

A few questions/remarks:

  1. I once tried to open portableapps on my linux (back then that was Ubuntu 10.04) and that opened fine. Note that that was installed on the drive on windows, I just opened it on linux under Wine.
  2. I always thought that NSISPortable was only necessary to actually make apps, not to simply open the PortableApps Platform. This has always been the case on Windows, I haven't tested on *nix environments.
  3. I thought you wanted to make a portable app, that's why I said you had to download NSISPortable. In fact you shouldn't even have to download NSISPortable to make the platform work.
  4. The NSISPortable folder should be on the same level as the PortableApps.com folder. Thus the path you see in the NSISPortable installer should be X:\PortableApps\NSISPortable.
  5. I'd take the NSIS 2.46.5, that's the latest version after all Smile

This list should answer all your questions, but it doesn't solve your problem :/

3 guesses what might be the problem:

  1. Your linux distro is missing something that ubuntu does have, I don't know what. Suggestion: maybe you could try running the platform using a ubuntu live CD? If that works it's related to the distro.
  2. You can always try to install the platform on a usb stick on windows and then run the platform on your linux distro see if that works.
  3. Wrong installation, you described the global structure of your drive. You should have this:

    drwxrwxrwx+ 1 ???????? ???????? 0 mrt 26 08:08 .
    dr-xr-xr-x 1 root None 0 mrt 26 22:25 ..
    drwxrwxrwx+ 1 ???????? ???????? 0 mrt 15 13:01 Documents

I hope this helps and solves your problem somehow. If you have any questions or if the problem still isn't solved, let me know Smile

Also: protip, you can edit comments, just for future reference Biggrin

Yes, I set the working directory!

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March 27, 2013 - 9:28am
(Reply to #8)
jojothehobo
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Thanks for the rapid reply and details

Great comments BennieBoi. Very thorough too. Thanks.
I'll remember the edit feature in comments.
I'll also try your suggestions and let you know how it turns out.
Thanks again.

Jojo

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March 27, 2013 - 3:23am
Simeon
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launcher

unfortunately referrs to 2 things:
Each app has a launcher (AppnamePortable.exe). Thats the one you need to start the app. Its provided within the portable package and there is no need to download anything extra.
The Portableapps.com Launcher, which is needed to create apps.
Do you only have the apps installed you mentioned earlier (PortableApps.com, PortableApps.comInstaller, PortableApps.comLauncher)? Those are the platform (inside PortableApps.com) and 2 development apps needed to create portable apps.

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

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March 27, 2013 - 9:39am
(Reply to #10)
jojothehobo
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Thanks for suggestion

My problem was getting the PortableApps.com launcher and menu to start. I'll try the individual apps and let you know what happened.

This is a great forum and Zorin is a great distro. Thanks for the help.

Jojo

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April 19, 2013 - 2:06pm
jojothehobo
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Outcome of trying suggestions

Hi All: 8) 8-) :cool:
I just noticed that I never did reply to the latest suggestions about running portable apps under linux.

I tried the suggestion of opening the subfolder of PortableApps that contains the application of interest. It works (almost) every time under Wine. Thanks for all the help. This success helps make my Linux computer more of a substitute for the ever changing Windows environment. I also use portableapps on Windows and their use helps keep my computer from getting weighted down. I now consider them to be an essential part of my workflow.

The forum is one of the best things about portable apps. Thanks again.

Jojo

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