Newbie! Creating correct inf file

Hi,

before asking my question I should say that I'm absolutely new
to driver programming and worse I don't even have the DDK
documentation.
However, I have some years experience with Windows development
and now want to create a MIDI driver thats sole purpose is to route
MIDI messages to my custom application.

I have already found the documentation for Installable Drivers in the
Win SDK and some code in newsgroups. The code is written for Win 3.11
but I was able to rewrite and compile it under Windows XP. I'm also able
to load the driver with the OpenDriver() API.

My question:
I want other applications let select the driver for their MIDI output
device.
For this, I assume, I must install the driver. The old Win 3.11 code example
comes with an inf file that looks something like this:

[disks]
1=. ,"My MIDI driver",disk1

[Installable.Drivers]
MyMidiDrv=1:d:\bcb5\music\installableDrivers\MidiDriver1\MyMidiDrv.dll,"MIDI","MIDI",,,

However, trying to install this always gives me the error "Installation
failed".
What could be the cause? Is this inf file at all valid under Win32?

I really appreciate any comment/idea!!

thanks,
Nick

Gary
Wed Jun 29 22:54:39 CDT 2005

How did you manage to lose the dopcumentation from the DDK?

--
The personal opinion of
Gary G. Little

"nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
news:uLyNV%23QfFHA.3460@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>
> before asking my question I should say that I'm absolutely new
> to driver programming and worse I don't even have the DDK
> documentation.
> However, I have some years experience with Windows development
> and now want to create a MIDI driver thats sole purpose is to route
> MIDI messages to my custom application.
>
> I have already found the documentation for Installable Drivers in the
> Win SDK and some code in newsgroups. The code is written for Win 3.11
> but I was able to rewrite and compile it under Windows XP. I'm also able
> to load the driver with the OpenDriver() API.
>
> My question:
> I want other applications let select the driver for their MIDI output
> device.
> For this, I assume, I must install the driver. The old Win 3.11 code
> example
> comes with an inf file that looks something like this:
>
> [disks]
> 1=. ,"My MIDI driver",disk1
>
> [Installable.Drivers]
> MyMidiDrv=1:d:\bcb5\music\installableDrivers\MidiDriver1\MyMidiDrv.dll,"MIDI","MIDI",,,
>
> However, trying to install this always gives me the error "Installation
> failed".
> What could be the cause? Is this inf file at all valid under Win32?
>
> I really appreciate any comment/idea!!
>
> thanks,
> Nick
>

jvlake
Thu Jun 30 07:24:15 CDT 2005

I don think you need to write a driver to do what you require, that's
to say your MIDI interface probably comes with a pretty good driver as
it stands.. do a search on Midi C# or C++ toolkits if you need a
wrapper to the midi driver there are some free ones from code project,
one of which is good and one (the first one google returns) which is
rubbish. the only reason to write said driver would be if you are
making a loopback or some such thing.

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 07:27:54 CDT 2005

I don't have the DDK. There is no free download for it.
Since I don't plan to spend much time with drivers in the
future I'm currently not considering to become an MSDN
subscriber nor pay 200$ for it.
The Installable Drivers documentation is part of the free
Win Multimedia SDK. I just need some help with the installation.
So I thought I could get along without buying the DDK.

Nick

> How did you manage to lose the dopcumentation from the DDK?
>
> --
> The personal opinion of
> Gary G. Little
>

Don
Thu Jun 30 07:34:21 CDT 2005

THE DDK COST THE PRICE OF SHIPPING!!! THIS IS <= $15 IN MOST PARTS OF THE
WORLD. So you want to hack up the system and cause crashes because you are
too cheap to pay for shipping? Either as some have suggested take a user
space approach, or go find another operating system.



--
Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
Remove StopSpam from the email to reply



"nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
news:eWhMp8WfFHA.3912@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>I don't have the DDK. There is no free download for it.
> Since I don't plan to spend much time with drivers in the
> future I'm currently not considering to become an MSDN
> subscriber nor pay 200$ for it.
> The Installable Drivers documentation is part of the free
> Win Multimedia SDK. I just need some help with the installation.
> So I thought I could get along without buying the DDK.
>
> Nick
>
>> How did you manage to lose the dopcumentation from the DDK?
>>
>> --
>> The personal opinion of
>> Gary G. Little
>>
>
>

Denis
Thu Jun 30 08:36:28 CDT 2005

Don, well said, But I don't think he is aware of the responsibility involved in making drivers.

Nick, making a driver for windows or any other operating system is very hard work as well as time
commitment.
It is essentially 60 % abstract and reading you have to know very well what you are doing before you
even begin.
45 % Testing and testing on multiple machines as well as dual processor system. And it is a very
frustrating process.
8 % debugging. That leaves only 2 % for the actual CODING.

A driver is very small in code and sources. Yet since it operates behind application and trusted by
the OS.
You should feel the weight of responsibility by now.

I am sure you do not want to populate Blue screen.
Please take the time to know what your doing for all the users sake.

Regards,
Denis Co


"Don Burn" <burn@stopspam.acm.org> wrote in message news:hFRwe.2455$iv3.841@fe02.lga...
> THE DDK COST THE PRICE OF SHIPPING!!! THIS IS <= $15 IN MOST PARTS OF THE
> WORLD. So you want to hack up the system and cause crashes because you are
> too cheap to pay for shipping? Either as some have suggested take a user
> space approach, or go find another operating system.
>
>
>
> --
> Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
> Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
> Remove StopSpam from the email to reply
>
>
>
> "nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
> news:eWhMp8WfFHA.3912@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >I don't have the DDK. There is no free download for it.
> > Since I don't plan to spend much time with drivers in the
> > future I'm currently not considering to become an MSDN
> > subscriber nor pay 200$ for it.
> > The Installable Drivers documentation is part of the free
> > Win Multimedia SDK. I just need some help with the installation.
> > So I thought I could get along without buying the DDK.
> >
> > Nick
> >
> >> How did you manage to lose the dopcumentation from the DDK?
> >>
> >> --
> >> The personal opinion of
> >> Gary G. Little
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

Arkady
Thu Jun 30 09:39:52 CDT 2005

Maybe that link will be helpful :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/delivery/download/overview/inf.asp
(aware of wrap )
Arkady

"nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
news:eWhMp8WfFHA.3912@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>I don't have the DDK. There is no free download for it.
> Since I don't plan to spend much time with drivers in the
> future I'm currently not considering to become an MSDN
> subscriber nor pay 200$ for it.
> The Installable Drivers documentation is part of the free
> Win Multimedia SDK. I just need some help with the installation.
> So I thought I could get along without buying the DDK.
>
> Nick
>
>> How did you manage to lose the dopcumentation from the DDK?
>>
>> --
>> The personal opinion of
>> Gary G. Little
>>
>
>

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 08:37:45 CDT 2005

> THE DDK COST THE PRICE OF SHIPPING!!! THIS IS <= $15 IN MOST PARTS OF THE
> WORLD. So you want to hack up the system and cause crashes because you
> are too cheap to pay for shipping? Either as some have suggested take a
> user space approach, or go find another operating system.
>

No, I of course would pay shipping but the only link I found was

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/ddk/orderddkcd.mspx

and this brings me to a site where I can order the "DDK Suite 3" which
is said to cost 199$. Or is "Windows Server 2003 SP1 DDK" the correct
choice for me?

Nick

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 08:45:09 CDT 2005

thanks Denis.
I understand well and I really appreciate the work of any serious
driver developer!! I seem to produce a totally wrong impression
of what my goal is. I don't want to write a bad driver in a few days
and send it out to the world to produce crashes on user computers.

This is just a small test for my own computer in my own small recording
studio and not even for a commercial project. I don't want to crash
anybodys system! But the DDK link I found told me to pay 199$
and this is too much for me doing just a small test. If you know a link
where I can order it for shipping cost only I would love to know it.

sorry for the confusion
Nick

"Denis @ TheOffice" <denisco@ica.net> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1120138586.500831@www.vif.com...
> Don, well said, But I don't think he is aware of the responsibility
> involved in making drivers.
>
> Nick, making a driver for windows or any other operating system is very
> hard work as well as time
> commitment.
> It is essentially 60 % abstract and reading you have to know very well
> what you are doing before you
> even begin.
> 45 % Testing and testing on multiple machines as well as dual processor
> system. And it is a very
> frustrating process.
> 8 % debugging. That leaves only 2 % for the actual CODING.
>
> A driver is very small in code and sources. Yet since it operates behind
> application and trusted by
> the OS.
> You should feel the weight of responsibility by now.
>
> I am sure you do not want to populate Blue screen.
> Please take the time to know what your doing for all the users sake.
>
> Regards,
> Denis Co
>
>

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 08:46:19 CDT 2005

> Maybe that link will be helpful :
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/workshop/delivery/download/overview/inf.asp
> (aware of wrap )
> Arkady
>

thanks I will have a look at it.

Nick

Don
Thu Jun 30 08:59:07 CDT 2005

The suite contains videos, extra doc's etc, you only need the "Windows
Server 2003 SP1 DDK"


--
Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
Remove StopSpam from the email to reply


"nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
news:uaedrjXfFHA.2372@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> THE DDK COST THE PRICE OF SHIPPING!!! THIS IS <= $15 IN MOST PARTS OF
>> THE WORLD. So you want to hack up the system and cause crashes because
>> you are too cheap to pay for shipping? Either as some have suggested
>> take a user space approach, or go find another operating system.
>>
>
> No, I of course would pay shipping but the only link I found was
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/ddk/orderddkcd.mspx
>
> and this brings me to a site where I can order the "DDK Suite 3" which
> is said to cost 199$. Or is "Windows Server 2003 SP1 DDK" the correct
> choice for me?
>
> Nick
>

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 09:15:53 CDT 2005

Ok, thanks then I'll order that one.

Nick

> The suite contains videos, extra doc's etc, you only need the "Windows
> Server 2003 SP1 DDK"
>
>
> --
> Don Burn (MVP, Windows DDK)
> Windows 2k/XP/2k3 Filesystem and Driver Consulting
> Remove StopSpam from the email to reply
>

pavel_a
Thu Jun 30 10:16:35 CDT 2005

"nicolasr" wrote:
> Ok, thanks then I'll order that one.

You don't need even order this to see the documentation.
Almost all DDK documentation is now in the MSDN library
on msdn.microsoft.com.

--PA

Denis
Thu Jun 30 10:40:06 CDT 2005

That's what I though.
Good luck with your test.

Denis

P.S. I personally elected to buy the universal msdn package, I even bought the hard copy of the DDK
Books.
Especially since I am a device creator.

I don't know much about downloading, I found it too frustrating and time consuming.
May be Don can give you the direct link.




"nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
news:eg3W0nXfFHA.2424@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> thanks Denis.
> I understand well and I really appreciate the work of any serious
> driver developer!! I seem to produce a totally wrong impression
> of what my goal is. I don't want to write a bad driver in a few days
> and send it out to the world to produce crashes on user computers.
>
> This is just a small test for my own computer in my own small recording
> studio and not even for a commercial project. I don't want to crash
> anybodys system! But the DDK link I found told me to pay 199$
> and this is too much for me doing just a small test. If you know a link
> where I can order it for shipping cost only I would love to know it.
>
> sorry for the confusion
> Nick
>
> "Denis @ TheOffice" <denisco@ica.net> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> news:1120138586.500831@www.vif.com...
> > Don, well said, But I don't think he is aware of the responsibility
> > involved in making drivers.
> >
> > Nick, making a driver for windows or any other operating system is very
> > hard work as well as time
> > commitment.
> > It is essentially 60 % abstract and reading you have to know very well
> > what you are doing before you
> > even begin.
> > 45 % Testing and testing on multiple machines as well as dual processor
> > system. And it is a very
> > frustrating process.
> > 8 % debugging. That leaves only 2 % for the actual CODING.
> >
> > A driver is very small in code and sources. Yet since it operates behind
> > application and trusted by
> > the OS.
> > You should feel the weight of responsibility by now.
> >
> > I am sure you do not want to populate Blue screen.
> > Please take the time to know what your doing for all the users sake.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Denis Co
> >
> >
>
>

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 12:21:03 CDT 2005

thanks. Yes I have the correct link now and ordered the CD.

Nick

> That's what I though.
> Good luck with your test.
>
> Denis
>
> P.S. I personally elected to buy the universal msdn package, I even bought
> the hard copy of the DDK
> Books.
> Especially since I am a device creator.
>
> I don't know much about downloading, I found it too frustrating and time
> consuming.
> May be Don can give you the direct link.
>
>
>
>
> "nicolasr" <nicolasrNOSPAMATSIGNgmx.net> wrote in message
> news:eg3W0nXfFHA.2424@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> thanks Denis.
>> I understand well and I really appreciate the work of any serious
>> driver developer!! I seem to produce a totally wrong impression
>> of what my goal is. I don't want to write a bad driver in a few days
>> and send it out to the world to produce crashes on user computers.
>>
>> This is just a small test for my own computer in my own small recording
>> studio and not even for a commercial project. I don't want to crash
>> anybodys system! But the DDK link I found told me to pay 199$
>> and this is too much for me doing just a small test. If you know a link
>> where I can order it for shipping cost only I would love to know it.
>>
>> sorry for the confusion
>> Nick
>>
>> "Denis @ TheOffice" <denisco@ica.net> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>> news:1120138586.500831@www.vif.com...
>> > Don, well said, But I don't think he is aware of the responsibility
>> > involved in making drivers.
>> >
>> > Nick, making a driver for windows or any other operating system is very
>> > hard work as well as time
>> > commitment.
>> > It is essentially 60 % abstract and reading you have to know very well
>> > what you are doing before you
>> > even begin.
>> > 45 % Testing and testing on multiple machines as well as dual processor
>> > system. And it is a very
>> > frustrating process.
>> > 8 % debugging. That leaves only 2 % for the actual CODING.
>> >
>> > A driver is very small in code and sources. Yet since it operates
>> > behind
>> > application and trusted by
>> > the OS.
>> > You should feel the weight of responsibility by now.
>> >
>> > I am sure you do not want to populate Blue screen.
>> > Please take the time to know what your doing for all the users sake.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Denis Co
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

nicolasr
Thu Jun 30 19:43:28 CDT 2005

Actually I don't know if this is what is called loopback but what I want to
do is
send Midi messages from a sequencer program like Logic to trigger
certain controllers in my program.
So it should be possible to select a Midi out port in Logic that sends
the messages to my program.
So my idea was to have a driver that can be out-port for the sequencer and
in-port for my program, a virtual cable, so to say. Of course this idea is
not
new and I have found some implementations but none for Win2k/XP.

Any idea or links?

thanks
Nick

>I don think you need to write a driver to do what you require, that's
> to say your MIDI interface probably comes with a pretty good driver as
> it stands.. do a search on Midi C# or C++ toolkits if you need a
> wrapper to the midi driver there are some free ones from code project,
> one of which is good and one (the first one google returns) which is
> rubbish. the only reason to write said driver would be if you are
> making a loopback or some such thing.
>