Discussion on:

Make the autorun.inf file for your burned CD-ROMs

There are dozens of software utilities that will create the autorun.inf, and in some cases these utilities provide software shells that enable more flexibility in how auto play works.

Do you use one of the utilities and/or shell programs? Which one? What advantages does it provide over the basic autorun.inf?

I have a standard CD image that I distribute to my Computer Repair (A+) students. This image contains programs (mostly FOSS) useful to a PC technician or just an end user. They include file, disk and partition management utilities, files & disk recovery utilities, text editors, OpenOffice, Acrobat Reader, Mozilla and Firefox, M$ Office readers, FTP interfaces, etc.

The autorun.inf file on this CD opens an HTML file with links to the contents of the drive. Unfortunately, if I change the drive contents, I have to edit the file. As a PC tech with minimal scripting experience, my script to read the directory and creat the links after an update would run reliably only in Win9x and only when the CD-ROM drive was the D: drive.

I hope you have made sure that you have rights to redistribute each of the utilities you have on the CD-ROM you are distributing to your students.

When I wrote my response, I did not know what FOSS means -- "free and open source"

I see some decent tips in the string about the autorun.inf files. You could also consider 2 other options for HTML disk use. Quick Menu Builder (cost $30 US for Pro version) lets you build CD interfaces using your own graphics and sounds. Assigning 'hot spot' buttons to the interface is graphic and easy to learn. Try the trial/shareware and see what you think. You can point a button to launch your HTML page, open a directory, run a program and customize scripts (not necessary though).
Also look into HTML Executable. If you are just using a web page interface to link your files this one might do the trick for you. You can package the html page, directories, and files as a redistributable executable file. When run it creates it's own Temp dirs and launches your index page. It is another no-brainer app, that is easy to use and has some customization options, user message screens, etc. Can't remember what I gave for that, but I think it is exactly what you're after for an easy polish to your project. You can save your project files for later use. Also any time you want to change your pages and files, just build a new one. When you assign the program your own icon, the executable will display with your image in Windows.

I can't seem to find a reliable way to get a web page burned on a CD-Rom to open in the user's default web browser. I can put a path to IE but it might be wrong. I can put a path to the CD rom but will only work for one drive config (e.g. if the CD-Rom is D: drive). Is there any way to put in a variable path like in VB progs [systempath]
where I'd make an autorun with something like:
[defaultbrowser] [cdromdrive]\myfolder\index.html
?
the system obviously knows the cd-rom drive in the autorun program.
(and no, I do not want to point to the same folder on internet because it exists only on the cd-rom drive, not on the internet)

Perhaps I didn't make it clear enough, so I apologize, but the answer to your question is in the article

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-5268081.html

Check out the last section - That method will open the HTML file in the default browser.

Thanks.

Drive letters will be different from one computer to another, so just use the directory name, i.e. \foldername\programname.

The other problem mentioned with older cdrom drives is the lack of the multi-read function. This introduced the ability to read cd-rw disks on different computers.

Unless the cdrom drive is several years old (3 or more), this should no longer present much of a problem.

It can often be over come by using the older format of cdroms (650 mb rather than the faster 700 mb in use today).

May not need it today, but have filed this one in my CLI? for future use. Good article....

I have created a training CD that automatically launches an html file. I created the autorun.inf file in notepad, and no special software or .bat files are necessary. Following is the file:

[autorun]
ShellExecute=index.htm
icon=training.ico

Just make sure the .htm file is in the same location as the autorun file (the root of the cd). The last line of the file simply loads a custom icon (its nice to look at something other than the standard windows icons once in a while!) Remember, if you want to use a custom icon, remember to include the .ico file on the cd and change the last line of the file to reflect the name you gave your icon (in my case i called it training.ico and placed a copy in the root of the cd.

Hope this helps.

I am working on a CD of 3D graphics tutorials written in HTML. This nice little two line (I didn't use an icon) file works real nice!!!!

Thank you very much.

I have an html file and set of pdfs linked on it. Made the autorun.inf and autorun.bat files, with an icon. This functions in the CDRW which was used to make the disc, but not on my standard CD, on dual CD box. The standard CD does not even read the see the files, inf, bat or ico. Any comments would be helpful???
Patrick

Unfortunately, many of us have had similar problems when burning CD-ROMs. Some CD writable drives have trouble creating a CD that can be read by other drives.

It could be the hardware itself or the quality of the media, or a combination of both. How old is the drive? Most drives sold in the last year have overcome this problem.

Anyone have some suggestions for solving this problem.

Check out the Adaptec site. they made a program for older cdroms that made them read none commercial burned cdroms.when they owned rixio software then known as Adaptec Easy CD Creator.
That was included with the software.

Were you guys burning the CD's at full/maximum speed? Slow down the burn process to 24 x or 16 x, this will overcome problems being encountered in a different CD player, to where the disc was burnt.

I am suprised no one mentioned this but there is an application
called "AutoRun III" by Typhon Software. I have owned it for
some time and use it when ever I can. I do not want this to be a
commercial as I have no financial gain here but it is amazing.
Most of this is from their site. The custom splash screen when it
loads is a great way to have a Company Logo appear when the
CD is inserted.

It lets you set up an autorun CD/DVD with custom menus,

Disk Security on the CD with "6 types to choose from, including
Serial Number, License Agreement, and CD Expiry Date".

"File Security keeps your project files compressed into a single
file. Your files are extracted when needed, and deleted
afterwards. This keeps users from being able to Explore the
contents of your CD"

Failsafe Program abilities such as Acrobat reader for PDF if they
do not have it installed.

and 11 Viewers built in for File, Splash Screen, Folder, Web Page,
Slide Show, Music JukeBox, Video Player, Flash Animations, Zip
Extractor, Failsafe Program and Menu Creator.

There are personal and Pro versions for 29.95 to 49.95 and even
a free limited version.

Anyway, it really has let me make some cool PDF product
catalogs for clients to be distributed etc.

razz

Good intro for autorun.inf

help me please. i dont know how to save or place the .inf file into the cd-r root. i think i need to do that so the autorun will work..

Thanks I understand now . .*thumbs up*

like audio driver,vga,lan and bios...

"Contrary to what you may have heard from the RIAA, burning a CD or DVD is not illegal. " is a misleading statement. As far as I know, the RIAA has never said anything of the sort. It is not illegal to burn CD's, as long as either the CD contains all original material created by the person burning it, OR, the material being burned are copies of software, songs, videos, or whatever THAT THE PERSON BURNING ALREADY OWNS. Further, ANY burning of copyrighted material THAT YOU DO NOT OWN THE COPYRIGHT OF, for PERSONAL use is legal.

If, however, you burn ANYTHING for which you do not own the copyright, and then distribute it for profit, OR FOR FREE, THAT, my friends, IS ILLEGAL!

I really don't like the fact that the writer didn't bother to clarify this. I'm a songwriter. I OWN the rights to everything I write. If you copy MY songs, and it isn't for your own personal use, or you did not purchase them, YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME!!

Thanks for listening.

Instead of typing in all these scripts, I found a software which creates an autorun.inf file for you withot u typing in any script. Its just a wizard. Just google "Autorun Draftsman deluxe". Hope this is a better option.