This document provides instruction for Windows Operating System (OS) users (and other-OS users who can run Windows in Virtual Machine mode) whowish to create an installed version of Unravel, (called UnravelJ Direct), which runs directly from the program's executable jar file urvall.jar (as distinct from running it via Web Start). The program can be run uninstalled by both Windows and non-Windows users.
The installation has two main steps:
Converting the batch file jarRun.bat (for running the program from the executable jar file) to the UnravelJ.exe file (contained in UnravelJ.zip) using the Bat_To_Exe_Converter.exe Version 1.5.1.0 software provided by Fatih Kodak.
Unzipping and installing the program using ZipInstaller v1.21 provided by Nir Sofer.
An instruction on how to run the program uninstalled directly from jar, if it has been downloaded by Web Start, is provided in the WebStartAuxFiles.htm file extracted and stored in the UrvbaseJ directory when the program is first run in Web Start mode. The program can be run uninstalled in exactly the same manner when downloaded in non-Web-Start mode via UnravelJ.zip as described in Uninstalled Instruction.htm that is included in UnravelJ.zip. Unzipping, and accepting the default directory presented, will put the files in the same default directory as that used for Web Start mode. Using the same directory will have no adverse effect on either UnravelJ Direct or UnravelJ WebStart mode of operation. Hence, removing UnravelJ WebStart (the program's Web Start name) via the Web Start viewer if UnravelJ WebStart exists, is optional.
The InstallExtnUnravelJ.zip file can be downloaded from the website to any directory and unzipped. The following files will appear in the unzipped directory named UnravelJ Install:
createInstallUnravelJ.bat
zipinst.exe
Installation Instruction.htm (this file)
To do the installation, the UnravelJ.zip file must be downloaded and stored in the UnravelJ Install directory. The UnravelJ.zip file should not be unzipped (that will be done by the installer). When the UnravelJ Install directory has been populated as indicated above, run createInstallUnravelJ.bat. File InstallUnravelJ.exe should be created. Run that file to do the installation.
If you are running a version of Windows later than XP you may, under some conditions, be unable to create file InstallUnravelJ.exe because the Operating System does not interpret the simple createInstallUnravelJ.bat file literally (refuses to look for the zipinst.exe file in the current directory as instructed). If this happens just run zipinst.exe directly and find the UnravelJ.zip file when prompted.
You will probably receive the following message from the Zip Installer: "The zip file contains only one .exe file, and the .exe file doesn't contain any information about the software. It's possible that the .exe filename is an installation program. Do you want to run it ?" Answer "No". If this is not your first installation you may also receive this message: "The folder already exists, do you want to continue anyway ?". Answer "Yes". Once installed, the program can be run from any of the following:
UnravelJ Direct icon on the desktop.
Progams:KFFraser Software:Java Unravel:UnravelJ Direct from the Start Menu.
By double click on the urvall.jar file which has been set up to be executable. Normally, when Java is installed, jar files are associated with javaw.exe (or java.exe) with the -jar command line option. If that association has not been made it will need to be done before the program can be run in this manner.
C:\ProgramData\KFFraser Software\Java Unravel\UrvbaseJ directory by double clicking the UnravelJ.exe file.
The program, which is listed as UnravelJ Direct, can be uninstalled via the Control Panel:Settings or by the following shortcut in the Start Menu:
Progams:KFFraser Software:Java Unravel:Uninstall UnravelJ Direct
The uninstallation instructions are stored in file uninst1~.nsu in the Java Unravel directory. If the program has been run, it will install further sub-directories and files that will not appear in the uninstallation instructions. Any added files or directories can be removed manually by deleting the Java Unravel directory. However, you may need to retain, or make a copy of, the urtext sub-directory files if they contain information (e.g. the state of a partially solved cube), you need to keep. If you have installed the earlier C++ version, don't delete the KFFraser Software directory which uses the Cpp Unravel directory that is a child of that parent directory.
Everything required for installing and running the Unravel program is contained in the InstallUnravelJ.exe file (if you succeeded in creating it) and, for those who wish to make a backup copy, that is the file to store.
The Unravel program has on-line help to assist users in running the program. For assistance with solving cubes of any size, additional help to that available on-line can be obtained from the cubesolving.pdf and markctr.pdf files that cover the solving of standard cubes with unmarked centres and cubes with marked centres respectively. Both files are available at the website created by the developer (Ken Fraser).