Moving program without original install files 6

[JoeAtWork]

My client would like to move a program that is running on an old Win95 box to a new machine. They have long ago lost the original install disks. They have asked me if I can move the program.

I am asking for suggestions on how I might find the dependencies for this program (assuming I can't find the original vendor). I am thinking about third-party custom controls, custom DLLs, and registry entries that the program might use.

The only thought I've had so far is to search on the application's name in the registry. Is there any better way?

 

[Andrzejek]

I would take the EXE, move it to a new machine and try to run it, see what will happen. You may just get lucky and it will run, but probably will not, depending on which/what third party controls/ocx's/etc were used in EXE.

When it will not work, you will get some messages about what is missing and that may give you a clue what's missing, one missing part at the time.


Have fun.

---- Andy

 

[JoeAtWork]

I just realized another possible problem might be liscensing!

Good idea about just running the EXE and seeing what errors come up.

 

[yacyac]

You can try looking for the install.log file, if there is one.

 

[BobRodes]

If there isn't one, you may want to use your favorite method to try building a package and thereby getting all the dependencies.

 

[jzr]

It seems there are also some third party apps that specialize in doing this .. I think even Norton has a 'migrate application' utility ...

 

[SBerthold]

You can also use the Dependency Walker for this.
You will need to run all parts of the program though the Dependency Walker to make sure all dependencies are captured.

Many of the dependencies will be Windows System files, or files already installed on the system.

You open the Exe in question, and then start the profiling, and then use the instance of the program it opened.
If a dll is missing, it will report it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256872/en-us

 

[JoeAtWork]

Thankyou SBerthold! That will undoubtedly prove very helpful!