Load the image you want to use as splash screen.
You can use the most common computer image files like gif's, bmp's or jpg's.
The image size should not exceed the size of your users computer screen (Recommended max: Height=600 pixels Width=800 pixels).
It is necessary to include an image in your project. If the picture file is missing in the finished project the autorun program will display this error box:
On clicking the OK-button the program will proceed after showing a small gray area.
If you do not wish to have a splash image in your finished project you can use a 1 X 1 pixel size image.
Video Clip support is only available in the Splash Run Video program.
Use the Video button to load your video clip.
You can use most of the files running under Windows Media PlayerTM, such as
AVI, MPEG and MOV files.
Your video clip wil be shown before the optional image.
Load the icon you want to use as image for your CD in the windows explorer.
The icon has to be a genuine icon-file.
It is not required to include an icon in your project.
Use the drop down list to choose from 1 to 10 seconds.
You must specify both the path and the program or file you want the autorun program to execute.
Path
It is important that the path to the file is correctly entered in your project. Note that the pathname to be used from the CD, in the finished project, will be different to that specified for use with the "Try" button in the Splash Run Maker program.
When running programs or files from the CD you must specify the file and path (placement) relative to the root of the CD ROM-drive.
If you have created your CD ROM-master with a file (e. g. setup.exe) on this absolute placement: C:\SplashCD\Games\Setup.exe, you only have to write Games\setup.exe in the Name and Path of File to Execute editbox, because the directory 'SplashCD' should be the root of your CD-ROM.
Please read more below under Saving your project.
Files
You can run executables and different types of files from your project created with Splash Run.
Executables (programs)
Are recognized by their extension (*.exe). You must specify the relative path and the file name in the editbox, e.g. Program Files/Install.exe
Type of files
If you specify another type of file in the editbox, Windows will try to run or open the file with the default program associated to this specific type of file.
To run these kind of files, the user must have an associated program in the Windows registry, and capable of handling the specified file, i.e. that the program runs the file when you double-click on its icon. If you for instance try to run index.htm or default.html these files should open in your default Internet browser.
If the user of your project hasn't installed a default program associated to the specified type of files an error flag will be raised, and the autorun program will try to open the text file you should have included in your project as Error File Name.
If you are going to design a CD ROM with the ability to run or open several files, e.g. image files, it is recommended you include a special program on your CD intended for the specified files. Then you can be sure that your user in fact immediately can use the CD.
It is necessary to include a file to be run. However if you do not include a file the autorun program just will show the image and end. On the other hand, if you have typed in a wrong filename or the path to the file is wrong, you should see this error box:
If you try to run a file where there is not installed an associated program on the computer Splash Run will generate this error box:
In both cases when clicking OK you should get your error file opened in Notepad if you have included an error file in your project.
Some programs accept or need a parameter to run as intended.
For instance you can use the path and file name of a Word document as parameter to the Word program, when you want Word to open the specific document, e.g. write Winword.exe in the Name and Path editbox and MyDirectory\MyDocument.doc in the Parameters editbox.
In the same way you can open PowerPoint shows or view Acrobat Reader files.
You can also run Explorer.exe and use one of the parameters /e or /n or /e,/root,D:
You should include an error file to your project in case there is an error when your program or file does not run as intended. If you for instance have made a CD using html files, but your user does not have installed a internet browser on his or her computer, you could explain how to install the browser, which you of course have included in the programs directory on your CD (!).
The Splash Run Maker automatically tries to generate a special directory on the C:\ drive of your harddisk named SplashCD (C:\SplashCD). The idea of creating this directory is to segregate the files that must be in the root of your CD-ROM.
If the the program fails to create this directory (if you for instance don't have the rights to write to the C: root), you should see a warning "remember where you save your project" before the save dialog opens.
Of course you should copy the file you want to run to this directory, e.g. the index.html and make a subdirectories to put all the other of your resources.
The Splash Run Maker will copy these files to the directory:
- SplasRun.exe, placed in the root (C:\SplashCD\SplasRun.exe)
- Autorun.inf, placed in the root (C:\ SplashCD\Autorun.inf)
- YourIcon.ico, placed in the root (C:\ SplashCD\YourIcon.ico)
- YourImage.*, placed in the root (C:\ SplashCD\YourImage.*)
You are of course entitled to create completely new directories using your own titles. However you must be aware of, that each time you're saving a project you're creating at least 2 new files and copying the chosen icon or splash image to this new directory.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The file Autorun.inf contains information about the entries, you have done. If you save a new project in the same directory, the new autorun.inf file will overwrite the former! If you want to save your previous projects, you'll have to create a unique directory for each of your projects, or move those files to another (archival) directory.
You can try out if your saved project executes satisfactorily by running (double-click) the executing file in your master directory, e.g. 'C:\SplashCD\SplasRun.exe'.
Another a little bit more inconvenient but more true method is to write your master CD ROM to a rewritable CD-ROM (CD RW). If the project fails to run in the way you assumed you could probably turn out to become wiser - and then erase the garbage on the CD RW!
This can also be accomplished with a CD-R if the session is left open, you can burn a new autor-un.inf overwriting the former.
IMPORTANT NOTICE! You can't make a complete test only by using the Splash Run Maker testbutton (the switch), because this program is executed in the directory, where The Splash Run Maker has been installed.
You can change language of the Splash Run Maker program when clicking context menu (right mouse button) somewhere in the program.
You even can add your own language: Open the file "user.lng" using a common text editor as Note-pad.exe and translate the text to right of the equal signs. Save the file and choose the language "User" in the Splash Run Maker.
The User.lng file is placed in the directory where the Splash Run Maker program is installed (default C:\Program Files\Splash Run V1.1)
Please mail me your translated file if you want me to share your translations to other users of Splash Run making the file accessible from the official web site.
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