Part II : On boot up, how to delay the start of a program until the unit gets connected to the network?

In the original article Jacques illustrates using the embedded Visual C++ app to open an Application that is named in the development setup.

Being an IT support person, who has needed an app like this, I looked closer, and set out to extend it to use a shortcut, rather than depend on having a Developer standing by to setup the specific apps I need to run when the network is available.

So I asked Jacques, and Steven for their input after attempting unsuccessfully to implement calling .LNK files rather than the executables with parameters. This utility saves the IT person from having to be beholden to a development system in order to open and run an application.

So this is Part II of the WaitForNetwork application.  There are five downloadable items: Two development packages for Visual Studio 2005, and Visual Studio 2008. Two CAB builder development packages for each environment. Finally the .CAB file (With Debug Version of the WaitForNetwork.exe app) in a handy installer that is catered to Windows CE for testing to see how/if the app works on your devices.

NOTE: This app was generalized to operate on Windows CE primarily and Windows Mobile as an add-on. As such the app was targeted for SmartPhone 2003 ARM platform. By default, the app opens the "cgacutil.exe" which is common for most Windows embedded platforms, and the link points to a consistent app for testing.The shortcut "\Flash Disk\WaitForNetwork\Wait4Network.lnk" points to "\windows\cgacutil.exe" on the device.

This app will install to the "\Flash Disk\" folder by installing a startup shortcut to the WaitForNetwork.exe and the rest of the files in the folder "\WaitForNetwork\" under "\Flash Disk\".  On Windows Mobile the shortcut in "\Flash Disk\Startup\" folder needs to be relocated to "\windows\startup\" folder.

There is a README.txt file that explains the rest.  (Like taking a working target shortcut, and copying it to "\Flash Disk\WaitForNetwork\" folder, and renaming the shortcut to "Wait4Network.lnk" so that when networking is up, that shortcut is run.)

Visual Studio 2008  Development Source code.  Windows CE/Mobile Cabinet Build.

Visual Studio 2005  Development Source code.  Windows CE/Mobile Cabinet Build.

Built using Visual Studio 2008, The WaitForNetwork cabinet file.

When the app sees the network and fires up, a Dialog box opens that says: [Network up.]  {App Now Running.} This is dependent upon platform, and is settable in development.

-sean