I am trying to get the windows installer to launch a .exe after install with now luck. Has anyone successfully done this? Yes, I have found instructions online,but I still get nothing to happen. Here is what i do. I create a test setup project and go to Custom actions --> Right click on INSTALL and add custom action. I then select application folder and then add file and select a exe file. Everything looks ok, but when I install nothing happens and it does not run anything. Questions: Can the exe I want to launch be anywhere on PC or does it have to be in project folders? Am I doing everything correct? (Probably not or it would work.) Thank you

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Can you help me with this? I can create database (mdf) now I need to attach it to the sql instance. How can I do that in vb .net?

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I wanted to avoid scripts. Is there a way to attach a database using vb .net code?

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Is there a way that vb .net can help deploying a SQL database. I want a way I can create an install disc and have the user run the install disc and have the sql database with mdf files install. Does anyone know a way to do this? I know I can run the sql database installer from the setup, but how do I get the mdf files to automatically attach and be usable?

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It is true that I have difficulty with sockets and strings/ascii/chr/bytes. But, you haven't given me any good examples. I learn better with examples. The documentation says <0x01>Z00<0x02>AA<0x1>1<0x1D>B3This is where message is.<0x04> So, can you give me an example of "suggest you do not use strings at all, just have a byte array and fill it with what is required:the special values such as 1 and 2; and the ASCII value of the text characters you need, if any. Then send the byte array into the socket." So is that, bytearray(0) = &h1 or 1 bytearray(1) = How to convert into ascii value Sorry, for these simple questions. I have gone around and around with this and have confused myself. Thank you for your help.

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I also tried this that worked on a different project.

Dim sValue As String

    Dim i As Integer = 0
    Do While signString.Length > 0


        'first I take each character using substring

        sValue = signString.Substring(0, 1).ToString()

        'then convert character into ascii.        

        sValue = Strings.Asc(sValue).ToString

        'then convert ascii value into Hex Format 

        sValue = Conversion.Hex(sValue)

        'after converting remove the character. 

        buffer(i) = Byte.Parse(sValue, Globalization.NumberStyles.AllowHexSpecifier)
        signString = signString.Substring(1, signString.Length - 1)
        i = i + 1

    Loop

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I am having difficulty communication through a socket. I am new to this, so bare with me. I am trying to pass string control protocols to a device like a display sign. Here is how I have connected to the sign. I think this has worked because I don't get an error. Plus, when I try to connect again it says that I am already connected.

Private endpoint as new IPEndPoint(ipaddress, port)
private socket as new socket(endpoint.addressFamily, SocketType.Stream, ProtocolType.Tcp)

--Sub

socket.connect(endpoint)

--end sub The issue is when I try to send the protocol text string to the sign. I need help formatting the string. EXAMPLE: The documentation says to send <0x01>Z00<0x02>AA<0x1C>1<0x1D>B3This is where message is.<0x04> So I changed it to hex:

dim signmsg = This is where message is.
dim signstring = &H1.tostring + "Z00" + &H2.tostring + "AA" + &H28.tostring + "1" + &H29.tostring + "B3" + signmsg + &H4.toString

First, can you see if I am doing any thing wrong above. Second, What is the easiest way to get this data formatted correctly and sent to the socket. Will this work?

dim Buffer() as Byte = System.text.acsciiencoding.ascii.getbytes(signString)

To send I use

socket.send(Buffer, buffer.length, Sockets.SocketFlags.none)

But I get nothing from the sign. What am I doing wrong?

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I am trying to deploy the ms sql express with my program and attach a mdf file automatically. I read about the attachdbfilename attribute in the connections string but I can't get it to work. Can any one give me some help? I have looked on Microsoft website and they don't give good examples. Also on Google, I am doing (I think) what I am suppose to but get errors. Example connections string: "Data Source=WALZLM1;Initial Catalog=;AttachDBFileName=scantrack.mdf;Integrated Security=True" I get this error: An attempt to attach an auto-named database for file scantrack.mdf failed. A database with the same name exists, or specified file can not be opened, or it is located on UNC share. Things you may want to know. The Sqlexpress is on a networked server. The mdf is local. What am I doing wrong?

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Got it! Thank you.

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Ok, that works, but how do I take the ASCII and display the text?

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I want to get string from textbox and write to RFID device formatted in HEX "## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ##" so, my goal is to (i think) convert text into Ascii then into hex and then I can save into the format. Then I want to read from RFID and convert back to the Text. So I think I take formatted hex and convert to hex number and then to ascii number then to Text. I am getting screwed up on the steps. I think this will do the Write.

Dim i As Integer
Dim x As Integer
'Create array
Dim bytearray(23) As String
For i = 0 To bytearray.Length - 1
bytearray(i) = "0"
Next

 Dim hex As String
 Dim text As String = ""
 'Change Text into ASCII
 hex = Strings.Asc(TextBox1.Text)
 'Change Ascii into HEx
 hex = Long.Parse(hex, Globalization.NumberStyles.HexNumber)
 x = 0
 'Put hex into Format
 For i = hex.Length - 1 To 0 Step -1
 bytearray((bytearray.Length - 1) - x) = hex.Substring(i, 1)
 x += 1
 Next
 'Create full formatted string to write to RFID
 If TextBox1.Text<> "" Then
 For i = 0 To bytearray.Length - 1 Step 2
 text = text + bytearray(i) + bytearray(i + 1) + " "
 Next
 text = text.Substring(0, text.Length - 1)

If "f" is typed in text box then text variable should say "00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 58" I need help converting that back to "f" I can get it back down to 258 which I think is the hex. I need to know how to convert back to Ascii and then Text. Any ideas? Text

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I need help converting between hex, ascii and back. I want to type in an alpha numeric like "ABC123" and save as a HEX formatted like this "## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ##" Then later read that stored value and return to the text of "ABC123" I am having trouble reading it and returning to text. Here is what I try.

value = value.Replace(" ", "")

    While (zero)
        shorthex = value.Substring(0, 2)
        If shorthex = "00" Then
            value = value.Substring(2, value.Length - 2)


        Else
            zero = False
        End If
        i = i + 1
    End While
    Dim b((value.Length / 2) - 1) As Byte
    Dim x As Integer = b.Length - 1
    For i = value.Length - 2 To 0 Step -2
        b(x) = value.Substring(i, 2)
        x = x - 1
    Next

    value = Long.Parse(value, Globalization.NumberStyles.HexNumber)

    Dim test As String = System.Text.Encoding.ASCII.GetString(b)

When this is done test does not show the valid Text. Any suggestions?

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I am looking for documentation on what features are available in the compact framework with dealing with pocket excel. EX: how to write/read. and anything else. Thank you.

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Is there anything built into VS so I can create help files? or would I have to use a 3rd party software? Thank you.

I am having trouble getting my head around a Threading problem I have. I want to process some data while displaying a message stating that the data is being processed. So hear is some sample code that I have been trying.

thrd = New Thread(AddressOf ThreadProc)

thrd.start()

'process data

thrd.abort 'I want a way to know when process data is done.

Private Sub ThreadProc()

    Dim load As New Loading

    load.ShowDialog()
    
End Sub

But, When my process is done the showdialog does not go away until I click in the form or move the mouse. Any suggestions on how to do this. How can I get the showdialog to go away?

I am posting this questions here because I am a vb .net programmer that is writing a vb .net program that needs a third party software. I was wondering if anyone here knew of any software that can do the following. I have a PDF with and image of a shipping label. I want to read the hub number from it. My proposed solution: Find 3rd party utility that i can call from my program to read the image and get me the hub number data. But, I have search many hours trying to find a software that has commandline plus use ocr to read image plus be able to red image from a pdf. Any suggestions? Thanks

I can't find any good examples of how to do this in CP or Google. I want to be able to auto scale my program no matter what PC resolution is set at. I think I can use the Auto Scaling. But I can't find any good examples. Maybe someone can look at the code and see if I even have it right.

Dim ctrl As ContainerControl
Dim dimens As SizeF
Dim ratio As SizeF
ctrl = New ContainerControl
ctrl.AutoScaleMode = Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Dpi

    dimens = ctrl.CurrentAutoScaleDimensions
    ratio = Me.AutoScaleFactor

    If dimens <> ratio Then
        ctrl.PerformAutoScale()
    End If

I am trying to see if the design values are the same as the runtime and if not perform autoscale, but nothing happens. Can someone help, please. Thank you.

I have tried the tabstop idea. It still does not work. I Need to know if there is a way to force a tab in code. If I can I think it will work. I want to try that before I write a bunch of code to change focus.

I have tried changing the tab stop with no luck. So, are you saying there is no way to force a tab through code?

I have tried to search for an answer on line but maybe my search choices are worded wrong. I have a form that has multiple text boxes. (Just like many forms) I am using a barcode scanner to input data into the textboxes. I put a enter post amble in the scanner to go to the next field, and it works. The form gives the user the ability to lock fields and keep those values in the textboxes for multiple iterations of the form entry. I lock textfields by changing enabled to false. Issue: When I scan the text box previous to a locked textbox the cursor will not tab over the locked field. I do not want to put a tab in the scanner do to other issues on that page. I want to know if there is a way to force a tab through code. Example: When the textbox is validated then force tab to tab to next unlocked textbox. Thank you for any help you offer.