Monday, August 4, 2008

Tip: Improving Delphi Install Performance

From CodeGear DevNet #37542

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
Set a DWORD value named DisableRollback to 1.
Set a DWORD value named DisableAutomaticApplicationShutdown to 1.

Turn the registry setting back after you are done. Either delete the registry entry or set the value to 0.

DisableRollback
The MSI-based Delphi installer uses a transactional database to keep track of its actions. This feature enables you to cancel and "rollback" the installation process, which means you can backtrack the install actions performed up to that point.

You can also use the same setting under HKCU, which will be applied in a per-user basis. Notice that this setting will affect *all* MSI-based installs, not only the help install.

DisableAutomaticApplicationShutdown (Vista Only)
This registry entry setting disables the Restart Manager, which tracks files in use during an install process. (On Vista-based install, this can cause long delays.)

Tip: WinHlp32 for Windows Vista

You still can get the old WinHelp for Vista.

Details: http://support.microsoft.com:80/kb/917607
Download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=no&FamilyID=0468fefd-b54f-4c57-8340-c6dd2ec20c0a

Source: I.P.Nichols in delphi.non-technical (Message-ID: <48967a2a$1@newsgroups.borland.com>), Sun, 3 Aug 2008 23:43:21 -0400

Never leave home without them

We all have our favorite tools and some we have probably used for years, while others are somewhat more ephemeral.

I rank mine as Need for indispensable, Nice for useful, and Cool for ... cool :)