Hey ET/DiT

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:46 pm

Is there a program out there that will take a software program you have in your computer and convert it back into a bootable or executable program file?

Example: I have a software program on my main computer but don't have one of the installation disks needed, can't find it anywhere, it is an older program not supported any more. However a working copy runs in my main computer, and I want to be able to put it on my laptop for travel.

I'd need a conversion program that could create, essentially, a new installation disk for that program out of all of its installed components.

What say you?

DrDetroit · Post by **DrDetroit** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:19 pm

That's a sweet question, Bushice. I've often wondered about that myself as I contemplated yanking programs that others have bought...

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:52 pm

Nope. Stuff gets written to the registry, files chucked around the Windows Sys folder....

What program was this BTW?

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:07 pm

foxpro 6.0 - outdated yes, but for one customers business application they are so tied to it they won't change.

DiT · Post by **DiT** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:21 am

I don't know that you can repack executable with the original files as some files may get deleted upon install.
have you tried burning the folder program,copying it to your other pc and launching it?
might work.

TheArtist · Post by **TheArtist** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:49 pm

I can't remember if fox would run without writing to the registery.

try this - copy fox.exe to other machine and see if it runs.

Is the app SBT?

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:47 pm

SBT? I'm brain farting on that abrev, dude.

I had heard there was a program out there that could repack all functional related files of a program, and the same program would essentially install them in a new box in place as if it it had been installed there too, but I can't find any info on it.

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:31 pm

I have personally never heard of such a program and have a hard time believing that it exists because as someone already pointed out, you usually can't just copy a program directory because of all the registry changes that it makes and any drivers or system files that it might alter. About the only way I could think that this would be possible is if a program took a look at the windows un-install file and used it to create an install package.

I would suggest three possible solutions. First is, as TA suggested, you could try to just copy the Fox Pro directory over to your laptop and see if it will run. If it doesn't, you could try searching your registry for any Fox pro related enteries and make those changes on your laptop.
Last but not least, you can always go on ebay and see if you can pick up a copy really cheap or maybe DiT can find you a copy on the net somewhere.

TheArtist · Post by **TheArtist** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:34 am

I like the ebay idea. He could get a copy of foxpro and a piece of toast with the image of budda.

TheArtist · Post by **TheArtist** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:40 am

Microsoft Visual Basic C++ FoxPro Studio Professional 6 $499.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Visual-Ba ... dZViewItem

Image of Cross on French Toast - $2.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/INCREDIBLE-IMAGE-OF ... dZViewItem

DiT · Post by **DiT** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:50 pm

ElTaco wrote:I have personally never heard of such a program and have a hard time believing that it exists because as someone already pointed out, you usually can't just copy a program directory because of all the registry changes that it makes and any drivers or system files that it might alter. About the only way I could think that this would be possible is if a program took a look at the windows un-install file and used it to create an install package.

I would suggest three possible solutions. First is, as TA suggested, you could try to just copy the Fox Pro directory over to your laptop and see if it will run. If it doesn't, you could try searching your registry for any Fox pro related enteries and make those changes on your laptop.
Last but not least, you can always go on ebay and see if you can pick up a copy really cheap or maybe DiT can find you a copy on the net somewhere.

ET,you're partially right about the registry however I've had and still do have apps that will write the needed registry data when the program is launched.
not all the time but often.
here's a semi- example.
Iolo System Mechanic,been using it for 5-6 years.
you get the thirty day trial blah blah.
this has worked without failure since I've been using it.
when your trial is up or before,doesn't matter,with the app not running,go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\iolo

right click and delete the entire key.
launch System Mechanic,new 30 days.
not the same as moving an app from drive to drive but an example of how programs will write to the registry when called.

I've done this more than a hundred times and it's always worked.
funny how they put so much time in making new key codes and serials when it's far simpler to just delete the key.

btw,found this on my own by deleting shit and acting a fool one day.
just a reminder,sometimes your pc won't take too kindly to deleting certain things

BI,I'll look for FoxPro