Question

Deploying vb.net desktop app with Crystal reports

Asked by: RekhaShah

Hi,
I am using vb.net in Visual Studio 2005 . I have created crystal reports with CR XI.
I would like to know how to create an installation package such that it iwll also deploy my reports. These reports are not part of my project. i load them using crystal document.
I would like to have a step by step instruction on how to create this setup project and also which crystl reports merge modules I will need to include in my setup project, and where would I add these report files when I am in Setup projct.
This is my first actual VB.Net app where I need to deploy the project.  I have searched the web and have not found any simple instructions. It does become quite overwhelming with all the options. and same thing can be done in so many ways!!!!
I need a standard , simple project which I can modify for other apps that I will be building in future - using vb.net and crystal reports.
I am using SQL Server 2003 database and the reports get the data thru Stored procedures.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I kind of have a deadline of this weekend!
Thanks a million in advance.

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Asked On
2009-02-15 at 12:23:53ID24145281
Tags

Vb.Net

,

Crystal reports

,

deployment

Topics

Deployment Software for Development

,

Microsoft Visual Basic.Net

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
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Answers

 

by: needo_jeePosted on 2009-02-15 at 13:26:05ID: 23646534

hi

deploying a winapp with crystal reports... here your concern is only how to deploy crystal reports runtime with your application.

You can add a merge module to your installer .. just right click installer, add merge module.. select from the path.

if you have Visual Studio 2005 & Cr X1  you may use this "CrystalReportsRedist2005_x86.msm" .. can be downloaded from internet freely


http://www.4shared.com/file/55609170/aef0f3d1/CrystalReportsRedist2005_x86.html?s=1
                                              
1:

Select allOpen in new window

 

by: RekhaShahPosted on 2009-02-15 at 22:25:53ID: 23647312

Hi,
I downloaded  CrystalReportsRedist2005_x86.msm file and added to my merge module. But when I installed this app on a different server, it still gave me an error about not finding Crystal report dependency file.
Also, I am new to .net installation package. I might have messed up somewhere in creating a setup project. Please provide step by step instruction if you can. Also, I did not want to have a clickeonce installation,  I ended up having temporaryKey.pfx file and other clickonce related information in my project. How do I remove all the information from my project and start over to have a regular installation which will install my app with all its dependencies and all the crystal reports in the sub folder.

 

by: RekhaShahPosted on 2009-02-15 at 22:39:48ID: 23647342

See the error message

 

by: needo_jeePosted on 2009-02-16 at 14:45:53ID: 23654670

1st here is same question already answered.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Database/Reporting_/Crystal_Reports/Q_23407555.html

2nd.. if you have VS2008 .. then you may find the runtime from following path.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0A\Bootstrapper\Packages\CrystalReports10_5\CRRedist2008_x86.msi OR you may download from net.

I deployed winapp from vs2005 with CrystalReportsRedist2005_x86.msm and that worked well however .. recently I created an installer with vs2008 but could not get that working with msm file.... then I used the msi from

program files .. as give above .. you may look under relevant installation directory on your system

Thanks

 

by: RekhaShahPosted on 2009-02-22 at 07:01:13ID: 23704931

needo Jee's suggestion for the websit of SAP helpe me find. Thanks.

On SAP site, I found my answer:

Symptom

When you install Crystal Reports XI Release 2, there are two merge modules that are installed.
Which one should you use when deploying Microsoft Visual Studion .NET applications?

Resolution

If you are deploying an application that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2002 or 2003, you should use the CrystalReports11_5_NET.msm merge module.
If you are deploying an application that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2005, you should use the CrystalReports11_5_NET_2005.msm merge module.
Keywords
MM MSM .NET DOTNET NET XI R2 11.5 RUNTIME FILES DEPLOY Crystal Reports Deployment Runtime files Merge Modules , c2018687


I included CrystalReports11_5_NET.msm merge module in my setup program and it Worked

 

 

by: needo_jeePosted on 2009-02-22 at 07:38:31ID: 23705116

hi,
cheers..nice to hear that it was exactly what you was looking for.....

thanks :)

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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