Create a DeskTop eXtension (DTX) File

    Some procedures mentioned in this document may require ADMINISTRATIVE ACCESS

With the advent of the Unified Desktop (UDT) software package in 1998, the District Computer Center has provided site personnel with an easy method of reinstalling the Windows NT operating system as well as several software applications which are included in the UDT license. Yet we realize that the UDT package does not contain all of the software that each site needs. After reinstalling the UDT you may also need to reinstall additional educational and productivity software on several computers at your site. If so, you might save a considerable amount of time and effort by creating one or more Desktop Extension (DTX) files that simplify the reinstallation process. By investing a small amount of additional time while initially installing and configuring software on one UDT computer, you can preserve your efforts in the form of a DTX file that can be easily applied to any number of UDT workstations.

Here's a brief overview of the DTX process:

  • Take a "snapshot" of your hard disk drive.
  • Install any additional software you may require and configure it to suit your needs. Note that you can incorporate several installations and configuration modifications into a single DTX file.
  • Take a second snapshot of your hard drive. The computer will then store any differences between the first and final snapshots into a DTX file that may be used to similarly update other UDT computers.
  • Install the DTX file on other UDT computers.

CREATING A DTX FILE

Here is the step-by-step procedure for creating a DTX file using the Desktop Extension Maker (dtxmaker) software:


Step 1: Create the snapshot file.

  • Close all applications.
    Be sure to check your task bar for any "minimized" applications that should also be closed.
  • Click on the Start button and select Run. This should open the Run window.
  • Type dtxmaker in the Open: field. Click OK. This should open the Desktop Extension Maker window.
  • Click Create Snapshot File (see below).

      Desktop Extension Maker Window


    The computer will now take the first snapshot of the hard disk drive (the C: drive) on your computer.

Step 2: Install and configure the new software.

  • After the computer makes the first snapshot of your system, you should install and configure the software you wish to include in the DTX file.
  • You may wish to include multiple installations and system changes in a single DTX file.

Step 3: Reboot the computer.

  • Once the installation and configuration are complete, you should restart your computer. This allows any system extensions that the new software may require to be properly loaded when the computer reboots.

Step 4: Create the desktop extension (DTX) file.

  • After the computer has restarted, click Start and select Run. This should open the Run window.
  • Type dtxmaker in the Open: field. Click OK. This should open the Desktop Extension Maker window.
  • Click Create DTX File. (You will be asked to provide a name for the new DTX file.) The computer will now make a second snapshot of your hard drive. Then it subtracts the first snapshot from the second snapshot and stores any differences between the two snapshots in the DTX file.

INSTALLING A DTX FILE

Make sure to save a copy of the DTX file (i.e., to your U: drive or to a removable disk) before leaving that computer. (If this DTX file was labor-intensive then you may want to make more than one backup copy of the DTX file.)

After you have a saved copy of the DTX file, you can install it onto other UDT computers. Drag (copy) the DTX file to the Temp folder on the C: drive of the computer you wish to receive the DTX installation. You should always install a DTX file from the C: drive to the C: drive (i.e., "locally"). You can now install the DTX file by double-clicking the DTX file icon. Click OK to install the software and configuration changes stored in the DTX file. The DTX file will be deleted from the Temp folder when you log off of this computer.

Once the install is complete you should be able to use the software. A DTX file can be a tremendous time-saver if you have multiple workstations to maintain. You might consider placing large DTX files (100MB or more) onto a CD-ROM for faster installation. If you do not have the equipment to make your own CD-ROM, then you may want to ask your Site Contact Person to submit a Technology Work Request to have the District Computer Center create one for you.

Software License Note:
Please carefully review the software licenses for any software included in a DTX file and protect your DTX files just as you would any other installation media. DTX files should not be available to network users (i.e., on an unprotected server or network drive) who do not have a license to install that software.

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This page last updated August 9, 2002. We have made every reasonable attempt to insure that our web pages are educationally sound and do not contain links to materials that violate the Norman Public School District's Policies on Internet and Internet Safety for the Computer Network. Opinions expressed on these web pages do not necessarily reflect those of the Norman Public School District. For more information concerning this site please email webmaster@norman.k12.ok.us.