I want to send a game (the .exe, not the source) to a friend who doesn't own DBpro. I want him to give a final test before I distribute it to more people. I want to provide him an easy way to install the game using an installer. It should be painless and dumbproof like the installers you see all the time.
I've searched through the forums and found some interesting suggestions to create an installer and distribute a game. But I still have a few unanswered questions.
Here are the requirements:
- An installer that creates a Setup.exe containing the game .exe, and all other necessary files (media, DirectX, dlls, etc.) to run it on a different computer.
- The installer shall create all folders, install all files and dependencies, and create a shortcut for the game on the desktop or taskbar, or at the least, a program folder inside the Start menu.
- The installer shall detect if the currently installed directx on the computer meets the direct x 9.0c game requirements, if not, then install the direct 9.0c redist.
- If possible everything shall be done using one installer.
It is acceptable to install directx separately, but I would like to know if there's a way to detect if you already have the correct version (from within the program or otherwise).
Also, I've noticed that when I try to run an .exe on another computer, it pops up the Data Execution Prevention DEP message. I want to know how to avoid this without having to disable DEP or without having to instruct the user to manually check or disable anything. I mean, my installed programs such as Word, adobe are .exe files and I didnt have to do anything to avoid getting a DEP.
I'm planning to use Inno Setup Compiler. I also have the directx redist file. Is that what I need to accomplish all of the above? Thanks in advance
CSL