• From: Vancouver, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-11-18
  • Posts: 29

Topic: faster version of un7zip.exe here

Well it's been a long time since I posted here.
A long time ago I created the first working progress bar during presetup.
http://forum.driverpacks.net/viewtopic. … 82&p=2
It was misunderstood and ignored. sad

I've never been happy with the current extraction method using un7zip.exe.
It's very slow. It freezes at times during extraction.

I created a replacement for it. It will extract the drivers faster then the current un7zip.exe.
The main difference is it shows a command window showing the extraction process instead of a progress bar.
Some may not like it but you have the choice of speed or beauty?

I named my file un7zip.exe to allow you to just replace the existing one without any other changes.
It works with the driver selector created by Kal as well.
The file 7-zip32.dll has been replaced with 7za.exe. 7-zip32.dll is not needed. 7za.exe is included.


I coded it in Delphi. The source is available to any moderator that wants it.
The path %systemdrive%\D is hard coded and does not need to be passed to it.
You are free to use it as you like.
You could create an option in the base for speed or beauty during extraction.

get it here...
http://www.mediafire.com/?9hbujdlijd9


also... in testing my old method of using sfx extractors it was about twice as fast as un7zip.exe is.

Last edited by jaws1975 (2008-08-17 06:17:31)

  • Helmi
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

jaws1975 wrote:

Well it's been a long time since I posted here.
A long time ago I created the first working progress bar during presetup.
http://forum.driverpacks.net/viewtopic. … 82&p=2
It was misunderstood and ignored. sad

Thanks for coming back to us despite the great frustration! big_smile

I'll try your new method on my next test disc.
As I'm not sitting in front of it watching the progres bar (which does indeed take a while on older systems and with all dp3ps included), I don't mind a cmd window at all!

Thanks for your effords!

http://d1syubgj0w3cyv.cloudfront.net/cdn/farfuture/AeXmpESLemRyQ4RE-dgdjRhN_hKaXMe7woWjOK2wsnk/perpetual:forever/userbar/moderator-3.png

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  • From: Vancouver, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-11-18
  • Posts: 29

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

Thanks for checking it out. Let me know how it goes for you.


I also got bored and created my own fake setup.exe in Delphi. It works without any hiccups. (only tested in VMware so far)
It does the same as the one you use. It renames the files, launches presetup.cmd and then the real setup.
I read in one of the posts somewhere that you guys don't have the source for the original. Need a replacement? wink

  • OverFlow
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

lol wink

it is a pretty simple program... one of these days i will replace it so we have the source.
no delphi wont help as base is coded in autoit and so must the new setup be as well.

Thanks for your contributions and taking the time to discuss and share with us.

Welcome back sir!

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  • From: Vancouver, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-11-18
  • Posts: 29

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

OverFlow wrote:

lol wink

it is a pretty simple program... one of these days i will replace it so we have the source.
no delphi wont help as base is coded in autoit and so must the new setup be as well.

Thanks for your contributions and taking the time to discuss and share with us.

Welcome back sir!

In my testing autoit did not work in presetup stage but if you can make it work, then so be it.

  • OverFlow
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

Well if i have no choice... then the source of 'X' will be with the base source

i know lots of languages if i have to use an alternate i will i would just prefer to stick to one, and Wim chose Autoit.

what happened when you tried ?

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  • From: Vancouver, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-11-18
  • Posts: 29

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

updated link on first page. minor update.


OverFlow wrote:

...Autoit.

what happened when you tried ?

I tried with message boxes and nothing was shown or happened. There is also discussion about autoit not working on the first page of the thread I linked to above. Old topic though...
http://forum.driverpacks.net/viewtopic. … 82&p=1

It may just be a problem with visual autoit code. I never tried just a hidden console app.

  • Registered: 2008-08-08
  • Posts: 2

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

Yes your version of un7zip.exe is faster than original un7zip.exe, i just tried it using Virtual PC and is about 1 minute faster (all driverpacks added).

  • Helmi
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

So, I gave this a try on my last test install and here's some thoughts:

I didn't not use a stop watch so I cannot tell whether it was faster or not, but if it was, it wasn't by too much because it did not feel so wink

Anyway, because the progress bar is gone and replaced by the CMD window, which does not give status reports about the progress (apart from telling which pack it just finished, but no info on how many remain), it certainly feels slower if you watch it go (which I usually don't but anyway).

The question is whether this is only faster because the progress bar is gone or whether you optimized the 7-zip code anyhow?
Personally, I found the progress bar better to guesstimate how long it will take ("Oh, look, it's halfway through and I waited some X minutes, so only X more minutes to go!").
Would it be possible to either re-implement the bar while maintaining your speed optimizations OR have the CMD window display some sort of progress (estimated time remaining, number is packs done/remaining, per cent value of finished or even ASCII graphic progress bar)?

http://d1syubgj0w3cyv.cloudfront.net/cdn/farfuture/AeXmpESLemRyQ4RE-dgdjRhN_hKaXMe7woWjOK2wsnk/perpetual:forever/userbar/moderator-3.png

Coming up next - useful links:
• If you like this project, please support it with your donation!      • Grab your HW info (HWIDs) here!     
• If you are a newbie, be sure to check out the DriverPacks tutorial!     • Here's how to create your own DP!
  • Registered: 2007-11-07
  • Posts: 310

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

While I am not generally in favor of 'eye candy', accurate progress bars are both useful and possibly essential.

  • OverFlow
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

we had a ton of complaints when we didn't have one...

mostly along the lines of "it is so frustrating i dont know if the install is hung or stalled or working or what..."
"REQ we need a progress bar!"

far more than the one post about shaving one minute off the install

personaly i dont care how long an UNATTENDED install takes... i dont have to be there wink
within reason...

so my install takes 19 minutes instead of 20...
now if you could cut that number in half say you could shave ten minutes... i might think it was cool...

just my Opinion...

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  • From: Bakersfield California
  • Registered: 2006-05-27
  • Posts: 635

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

I have to agree, I was one of the people who asked for a progress bar.

When a new chipset comes out, the install can fail as the older drivers may not work, we need to see where it failed.

I would rather wait an extra minute during the progress bar stage than waste several minutes if the install fails WITHOUT knowing what was happening.

Just my 2 cents worth.

  • OverFlow
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

how much faster was the self extracting 7z files?
I belive they show a progress bar when they extract?

perhaps we can have speed and a progress bar...

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  • From: Vancouver, Canada
  • Registered: 2006-11-18
  • Posts: 29

Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

OverFlow wrote:

how much faster was the self extracting 7z files?
I belive they show a progress bar when they extract?

perhaps we can have speed and a progress bar...

They do show a progress bar. It was the first working example of progress bars during presetup.
I think they are faster but you tell me.

The below file has three files in it.

run DriverConverter.exe in a folder with the .7z driverpacks. They will be converted to .exe files. They must be named as downloaded not as base renames them. (it can be modified)
The conversion process is very fast. It's as fast as your computer can copy a file. It's as fast as base when it copies the files to the new names.

run extract-only.cmd to extract the driverpacks to %systemdrive% for a quick demonstration of the extraction process.

a replacement presetup.cmd is included if you want to build an install disc.


http://rapidshare.com/files/137801987/D … r.zip.html


try it and let me know.


The file DriverConvertor.exe is itself a self extractor. Extract the contents with 7zip to view the batch file.

  • OverFlow
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Re: faster version of un7zip.exe here

thank you for your time and handy script!

ill give it a live test over the next few days

i don't really care to test it in the GUI since it is normaly used during WinPE phase of setup.
so my criteria will be how much faster is it during WinPE (normal usage)
if it's faster and has similar "Fit, Form and Feel"
- perhaps we can consider just moving in that direction or offering it as a base option...

Once again, thank you for giving back to the comunity and shareing your quality ideas.

jeff

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