Multiple instances of program question

[montyb50]

Hi HK,
Is it possible to have 2 instances of Easyslides v5 loaded/created on a PC/laptop under one user profile?
e.g. I have the EasyslidesData folder saved to a USB drive so that I can add / edit songs, etc at home & then take it church on Sundays ready loaded with that Sundays schedule, but if someone else is on the PC & doesn’t have the USB drive, when they start ES it wants to set up a new EasyslidesData folder (even tough I have created a copy of the folder on a local data drive.)
So is it possible to create 2 ES shortcuts with each pointing to a different program files (x86) so that we can have one instance using the local drive for the databases, etc & the other using an external hardrive/USB stick.
I tried creating a copy of the easyslides fodler within Program Files (x86) & then creatign a 2nd shortcut to point tot eh exe in theta copy, but both exes want to to use the same EasyslidesData folder, even if I use the “relocate EasyslidesData folder” tool.

I’m guessing it must require a change in the Regsitry as well or something else
or can it not be done?
regards
Monty

[montyb50]

Hi,
An update to this question.
I’ve found the xml config file that contains the “<DataLocation>” for the EasyslidesData Folder – it was set to the USB drive (I:\EasysldiesData\)
I edited the xml to change the drive letter to the PCs EasysldiesData folder location (D:)
Then relaunched the program, the EasyslidesData folder location had chanegd to the new location
Next I re-edited the XML back to the USB location (I drive), relaunched Easyslides & again it launched without asking for the DB location & the EasyslidesData folder had changed back to the I drive.

So I now know its possiblr to changr thr EasysldiesData location outside the program, now I need to work out if I can use a Batchfile to amend the xml file then launch Easyslides – can this be done?
Can I PM anyone?
Monty

[montyb50]

Hi HK,
I’ve been testing some ideas over the weekend using batch files & stored copies of the “InitialConfig.xml” that holds the “DataLocation”; I think I have a solution & it was much simpler than I thought was needed, though I did also find 2 other files that include info that is needed to make it truly work from separate EasyslideData folders

Can I PM it to you for checking?
Monty

[montyb50]

Not sure why I keep putting HK, I mean WK, sorry about that.

[broetman]

Hi Monty,

I’ve created a small utility for you:

bit.ly/ES5Loader

Put it in some folder and run it

The link is valid till nov, 14 2021
Good luck

Bert

• This reply was modified 9 months ago by broetman.

[montyb50]

thanks Bert,
before I run it, what does it do exactly?

Can I send you the bat I came up with?

Monty

[broetman]

It let you select the location of the ES5 datafolders and then starts ES5.

[montyb50]

Thanks Bert,
That works 🙂 & gives option to add further locations
The Batch file I’ve made works slightly differently, it will look to see if the USB drive is present, if it is, it will use that location & launch Easyslides
If it isn’t present, it will use the Default location & launch Easyslides.
I’ve emailed it to info@easyslides.com for Wai to look at.

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