How To Create a Self Extracting File To Install BlueZone Desktop

Introduction

It is possible to create a “self extracting exe” file for the purpose of distributing installing BlueZone for the Desktop. This Application Note will explain the steps necessary to prepare the BlueZone files and create the self extracting file using WinZip’s WinZip Self Extractor program.

Objective

To be able to distribute a completely configured version of BlueZone for the Desktop to an End User in a single file form so that all the End User has to do is double click on the file, and BlueZone will automatically unzip and perform a complete “quite mode” installation on the End User’s workstation.

A self extracting file is a handy method for distributing BlueZone for evaluation purposes and is also great for situations where you may want to email BlueZone to End Users.

Requirements

• BlueZone CD Version 3.0 or higher
• WinZip and WinZip Self Extractor Programs installed and functional
• Knowledge of how to zip files using WinZip

Click here to download an evaluation version of WinZip
Click here to download an evaluation version of Winzip Self Extractor

Step Summary

• Install and Configure BlueZone to look and work exactly the way you want
• Create a Distribution Image of just the BlueZone files you need
• Add necessary files to the Distribution Image
• Zip the Distribution Image files using WinZip
• Create the self-extracing install file using WinZip Self Extractor
• Test the self-extracing file

Install and Configure BlueZone for The Desktop

1. Install the BlueZone Emulation Client(s) that you want to part of the self extracting installation.
2. Launch and configure the desired BlueZone Emulation Client(s) to look and behave exactly as you want them to look and behave for your End Users.
3. Save the configuration(s) of each of the BlueZone Emulation Client(s) by selecting Save As from the BlueZone ToolBar.

Create a Distribution Image

A Distribution Image is simply a subset of the BlueZone files that are found in the BlueZone folder on the CD image. Since it is highly likely that you will not have a use for all the BlueZone emulation clients, you can create a BlueZone image that contains just the desired emulation clients and associated files necessary to perform an installation.

1. Launch the BlueZone Install Program. You will be be presented with the BlueZone Setup dialog.
2. Select the ”Create a Distribution Image” radio button as shown:

3. Click the Next button. You will be presented with the BlueZone Software License Agreement dialog. Respond as needed and click the Next button.
4. You will be presented with the BlueZone Installation and Working Directories dialog. Choose a location to store the BlueZone image files as shown.

CAUTION! Be sure to choose a new location other than the location where your BlueZone files are currently installed.

5. Click the Next button. You will be presented with the BlueZone Component Selection dialog. Choose only the files that you want to be part of the Distribution Image by scrolling through the list of files, and checking the files you want, and unchecking any files you don’t want, as shown.

6. Click the Finish button. The Distribution Image will be created in the location that you chose above.
   The following is an example of a BlueZone Distribution image of just the BlueZone Mainframe files.

Customize the Distribution Image

1. Copy the desired BlueZone Configuration File to the Distribution Image. Be sure that the name of the file is “start.zmd” (or whatever file extension you require).
2. Add the seagull.saf file that was provided to you to the Distribution Image.
3. Locate the Setup.ini file, and edit it using Notepad.
4. Located under the [bzsetup] heading, the DestinationDir= controls the “path” where BlueZone is installed. Modify this path if needed.

DestinationDir="C:\Program Files\SEAGULL\BlueZone"

5. Also under the [bzsetup] heading, find UsePersonalFolderAsWorkingDir=Yes. Using the default setting of Yes, will cause BlueZone to install the BlueZone Working Files in the End User’s Windows Personal Folder. Changing it to No, will cause BlueZone to install all it’s files in the location set by the DestinationDir= as discussed above.
6. Also under the [bzsetup] heading, find QuietModeInstall=No and change it from No to Yes as shown.

QuietModeInstall=Yes

This will cause BlueZone to install without any intervention from the End User.

7. Also under the [bzsetup] heading, find the place where BlueZone controls the Feature Locks. Set any desired Feature Locks at this time.

Lock=0
LockFTP=0

 SEE The BlueZone Feature Lock Table located in the BlueZone Admninistrator’s Guide for more information on this feature.

8. Review the rest of the Setup.ini file and make any additional changes at this time.

Zip the Files

1. Launch Winzip, and zip up all the BlueZone Distribution Image files into one zip file called BZInstall.zip

Create the Self Extracting Install File

1. Launch WinZip Self Extractor and click the Next button. You will be presented with the following screen.

2. Choose the “Self-extracting Zip File for Software Installation” radio button as shown above. Click the Next button.
3. Skip the next screen by clicking the Next button.
4. Click the Browse button and browse to the place where you stored the BZInstall.zip file that you made above.

5. Click the Next button.
6. The message in this box is not mandatory. However, I like to include a message here (and the OK/Cancel button) so that the End User has the opportunity to cancel if they really do not want to install BlueZone. Type your message now or click the Next button.

7. On this screen, click the “Unzip automatically” checkbox. Then click the Next button.

8. You will get the following message box. Click the Yes button.

9. No need to change anything on this screen. Click the Next button.

10. On this screen, you must enter a message. Place the desired message in this box and click the Finish button.

11. Uncheck the Test self-extracting Zip File now box, and click the Next button.

12. Select the No, I am finished radio button and click the Exit button.

13. The Self-extracting Zip File will now be created.

Testing the Self-extracting File

Now that you have created the self-extracting file, it’s time to test it.

1. Choose a workstation to run the test. Uninstall any previously installed versions of BlueZone.
2. Copy the BZInstall.exe file to the test workstation.
3. Double click on the BZInstall.exe file. The file will automatically unzip and launch the BlueZone installer program (setup.exe).

Congratulations! You have successfully created a BlueZone Self-extracting file.