[tex-live] Portable install: `Failure to execute command'

[T T]

On 23 June 2011 19:45, Siep Kroonenberg <siepo at cybercomm.nl> wrote:
> On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 12:54:40PM -0300, George N. White III wrote:
>> On Thu, Jun 23, 2011 at 7:24 AM, Siep Kroonenberg <siepo at cybercomm.nl> wrote:
>>
>> > I tried a usb install of TL2011 for a colleague. I could install the
>> > tray icon in the system tray, and I could run the TL console, but I
>> > could not run any other programs: gui programs produced a messagebox
>> > `Failed to execute command: ...' and command-line programs produced
>> > a similar message in spanish. This problem was specific to the
>> > machine, not to the usb stick: another usb stick failed similarly on
>> > this machine, and neither usb stick failed on a couple of other
>> > Windows systems.
>> >
>> > I ended up doing a regular install of TL2010, which worked fine.
>> >
>> > I realize that this is not enough information for debugging, and I
>> > currently don't have access to his laptop either, so I just ask
>> > whether this rings a bell to any Windows user?
>>
>> Some sites (schools) use anti-malware policies and or software to block
>> "suspect" or allprograms on USB drives, e.g.:
>> <http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows/7041-stopping-exe-files-being-run-usb-stick.html>
>
> Thanks for the link. However, I had already been thinking in that
> direction but could not find any such settings on the laptop.
> Besides, the tray menu itself did install. Waiting for a
> brainwave...

As you say, the tray menu itself runs, so other programs should run
too.  I've just updated the tray menu to report API error code for
failed commands.  If you could try this on that system, maybe we can
learn more.

Cheers,

Tomek