Crystal Reports XI Runtime Installer

by Peter van Mil

The only supported way to deploy Crystal Reports XI applications using the Report Designer Component (RDC) is using merge modules. In this document is described how to make a Windows Installer based setup package, that does nothing more or less than installing the Crystal Reports XI runtime to run a VDF 11.1 sample report. I have used the following tools: Crystal Report XI Developer Edition, updated merge modules, Orca and Installer2Go.

Crystal Report XI Developer Edition

For developing RDC based applications you need Crystal Reports XI Developer Edition or Crystal Reports XI for DataFlex. Both versions copy the necessary deployment files on your PC. CR XI for DataFlex includes the Connectivity Kit for Crystal Reports, that supports native DataFlex files.

Merge Modules

Business Objects put all the necessary files and settings for the Crystal Reports XI runtime in merge modules. Merge modules are components, that can be included in Windows Installer based packes. Crystal Reports XI needs the license keycode to be included in the installer, so I isn't possible to convert somehow the four merge modules into one installer.
Updated merge modules are available at http://support.businessobjects.com/fix/merge_modules.asp. Copy these files to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Merge Modules.

Orca

Orca is a Windows Installer package editor provided as part of the Windows Installer SDK. You will find it by looking for PSDK-x86.exe in Google. The title of the download site is confusing: "Windows Server 2003 SP1 Platform SDK Web Install". When you install PSDK-x86.exe you will find Orca.Msi at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Platform SDK\Bin. Install it and you will have a shortcut to Orca.exe.

With Orca you can open the file CrystalReports11_RDC_License.msm. It is tempting to change everything that is possible, but it might be better to change just one thing: the license keycode. In the left pane you can choose for property and in the right pane you can set the value of PIDKEY. This isn't the serial number, but the code with the format XXXXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX-XXXX. Orca saves the code in the merge module.

Laxd-ppv-10527206.part4.rar [verified] -

If you have ever stared at a file named like this and felt a wave of confusion, this post is for you. Let’s break down exactly what this file is and what you need to do with it.

Right-click exclusively on and select "Extract Here" or "Extract to [Folder Name]" . The software will automatically read the headers, link all the subsequent parts (including part 4) in the background, and output the original, uncompressed single file. Crucial Safety and Troubleshooting Tips

Data distributors use split archives for several practical reasons: LAXD-PPV-10527206.part4.rar

: Ensure you have the correct software to open and extract the contents of the .rar file. WinRAR is a popular choice for Windows, while on macOS or Linux, you might use commands or software like Unarchiver or 7-Zip.

: Be cautious about where you extract the files. Avoid extracting them to sensitive directories or areas of your system that could be affected by potential malicious software. If you have ever stared at a file

: Stands for "Pay-Per-View," indicating this was originally a digital-exclusive release rather than a standard retail DVD.

Older file systems like FAT32 cannot handle individual files larger than 4 GB. Splitting files allows them to be stored on older external drives or flash media. The software will automatically read the headers, link

A file ending in .part4.rar is not a complete, standalone file. It is the fourth segment of a larger archive that has been intentionally split into multiple, smaller pieces to make downloading more manageable.

Once the extraction finishes, you will see your actual file (e.g., a video file like .mp4 or a program installer like .exe ). You can then safely delete the .part files.

** .rar:** The file extension signifies that the data is compressed using the Roshal Archive (RAR) format, a popular standard for data compression and error recovery. Why Large Files Are Split Into RAR Parts

Crystal Reports Runtime

The end result is the installer Crystal Reports XI Runtime with a size of more than 70 Mb. Leaving away several option (export filters, etc) doesn't result in a smaller size. The installer doesn't include the Connectivity Kit for Crystal Reports. If you want to test a report, take the report "Crystal - Address Labels in the orderentry sample of Visual DataFlex 11.1.

Download

runtime installer ~ 135kB

related hyperlinks:
MSDN merge modules
DAW 2161-INFO: Running Reports from Crystal XI from Visual DataFlex Application