Windows Path Tutorial for GSTMenu and GSTAction autorun CDs

What is the root directory?

A hierarchical catalog system looks a little like the roots of a tree, so that it is also described as a 'tree' structure - it looks like the arrangement used for a genealogy tree. The top directory in the tree is called the 'root directory', directories below the root are called 'sub-directories'. "Root" is not the name of the directory but describes its position.

tree.gif (10071 bytes)

What do I need to know to make an autorun CD

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What files need to go on the CD

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What command is needed to launch my programs

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What needs to be in the special autorun file name AUTORUN.INF

This tutorial has four columns

  1. First a visual picture of the files that go on the CD

  2. Tutorial information 

  3. The command that you would use in the Executable field for GSTMenu and GSTAction.

  4. The last column has the contents of the AUTORUN.INF file. This is THE key file to start off autorun. This file must always be in the root directory.

In all of these examples  the F: drive is the CD drive.

Note: Don't confuse the root directory and the cd name. The CD has a name -- in the explorer shown below, the CD in the F: drive is named XFER. This is the name of the cd, but the base directory of any CD is called the root directory.

The GSTMenu and GSTAction Kits typically use a more complex CD file layout than our other tools. This is because they are designed for the more advanced user. The advanced user will typically like to organize the CD logically with different types of files in separate paths. This is in contrast to just putting everything in the root directory like the GST Autoplay Easel does for simplicity.

In the GSTMenu and GSTAction help files the AUTORUN.INF is configured to look for the GSTMenu/GSTAction in an autorun sub-directory. The following chart describes the details of this configuration.

What Files go on the CD Tutorial Command Autorun.inf
path-w-autorun-subs.gif (9024 bytes) In this example we have created an Autorun sub-directory..

Note that only the autorun.inf is left in the root directory. This file must always be in the root directory.

See below for the contents of the autorun sub-directory.
path-gst.gif (9799 bytes) Note that the command field has a backslash in front of the sub-directory name. This tells the gstmenu program to start at the root and work out.

Note that the autorun.inf needs path information also.

 

 \exes\calc.exe

\exes\notepad.exe

\docs\license.doc

\docs\readme.htm

\docs\search_tips.pdf

 [autorun]
OPEN=autorun\gstmenu.exe
ICON=autorun\gstmenu.exe
 
Send mail to support@autorun-autoplay-tools.com with questions about autorun or any products on this web site - - but first check the (FAQ)Frequently Asked Questions page. Your question might be answered there.
GSTMenu Development kit, GSTAction Development Kit, GST Autoplay Easel, GST AutoFlash, GST AutoFlash Builder, GST AcroPDF Launch, GST Power Launch, GST DigiCardCD Builder,  GST Autoplay Pilot, GST MacEasel Menu, GST Mac Autoplay Pilot, GST Mac Power Launch and GST Mac AcroPDF Launch  Copyright © 2002 GS Technology Works LLC dba GS Technologies
Last modified: August 27, 2008