File Location

[halw]

Using Windows 7 Pro + VB6 w/SP3.

In my app, I save a file, apparently to C:\ProgramData\MyApp (this is where I want to save it.)
Then, in my app, I recall the file, from C:\ProgramData\MyApp. Guess what? I get the OLD file, not the file that I just tried to save.

The file that I thought I saved (to C:\ProgramData\MyApp) really got saved to C:\Users\MyName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\ProgramData\MyApp
or to
C:\Users\MyName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\RecentData\MyApp.

What is going on? Why is the file not being saved where I want it, and where it is telling me (lying to me) it is being saved?

Need help badly. This is a commercial app.

Hal W

[Spoo]

Halw

What sort of file is it?
... text?
... something else?

What is the code frag you are using to save the file?

Spoo

[RhinoBull]

In my app, I save a file, apparently to C:\ProgramData\MyApp (this is where I want to save it.)

The highlighted word is the key here [I think]: how do you save your file? Can you post your actual code?

[halw]

Sub SaveStrategy(Strategy_and_Tuning_Name$)

The actual argument name for Strateg _and_Tuning_Name$, which I can check in Development mode, is
"C:\ProgramData\PC-ControLAB 3.1\DecupFwd.stg"

Dim exists As Boolean
Dim Attr_ReadOnly As Integer, n As Integer, i As Integer, np As Integer, j As Integer
Dim errreturn As Integer, Result1 As Integer, imax As Integer
Dim FileExists As Integer, fileflag As Integer, attr As Integer
Dim ext$, try$, x$, Path$, Filenamstg$, msg$, Path_plus_Filename$
Dim nl$
nl$ = Chr$(10) + Chr$(13)
Attr_ReadOnly = 1

Filenamstg$ =Strategy_and_Tuning_Name$

'Is this a good file name?
fileflag = 0
Call fileok(Filenamstg$, errreturn)
If errreturn <> 0 Then Exit Sub

' If we got to here, it's a good files.
' Check file. If it exists, can we overwrite it?
FileExists = (Dir(Filenamstg$) <> SEmpty$)
If FileExists = -1 Then
    fileflag = 1
    attr = GetAttr(Filenamstg$)

In Development mode, this last statement gives halts with Error Message #6, Overflow.
In Runtime, it gives no error message and doesn't halt.

    attr = attr And vbReadOnly
    If attr = vbReadOnly Then  'File property Read Only is NOT set.

        msg$ = "Process strategy file is Read Only."
        msg$ = msg$ + nl$ + "Select another file name and/or directory."
        MsgBox msg$, 48, "PC-ControLAB 3.1"
        On Error GoTo 0
        Exit Sub
    End If
End If

' All files are clear.  Let's do it.
Screen.MousePointer = 11
Open Filenamstg$ For Output As #4

Here's where I am trying to open the existing file, C:\ProgramData\PC-ControLAB 3.1\DecupFwd.stg.
I used the word "apparently" because that is the argument that I passed. See below.

SaveStratRecheck:
'
Print #4, ControlStrategy
Print #4, Path_plus_ModelName$
'
'   Tuning Options
'
Print #4, GainorPB      'Proportional Tuning. Gain or PB
Print #4, MPRorRPM      'integral tuning Min/Rpt or Rpt/Min
Print #4, IDTMS         'integral time units in mins or sec
Print #4, Spareslot
Print #4, Spareslot

'Here is where I print these, and lot more parameters of this particular Control Strategy.  Then

Close #4
Screen.MousePointer = 0
MsgBox "Strategy and tuning file " + Filenamstg$ + " successfully saved.", , "PC-ControLAB 3.1"

WRONG! When I examine the file that I had hoped to save (actually, update), I find that neither the file date nor the data in the file has not been changed. Instead, if I do a Windows Explorer search, I find that there is a file

C:\Users\MyName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\ProgramData\PC-ControLAB 3.1\DecupFwd.stg

that does have the correct file data and the file data that I intended to write to the other file.

My question remains: Why, when I pass one valid argument, does the system ignore that argument and store the data in a location that I did not intend, nor specify? The problem may be in my computer configuration, but I don't believe it is within my code per se.

[fafalone]

I believe it's because saving to the folder requires admin permission, and when you try to save there without admin permission windows automatically saves in the VirtualStore folder instead.

[RhinoBull]

@halw: can you post complete code instead of pieces including procedure header... Also, when you do that please use CODE tags.

[asymetrix]

use a different folder name eg C:\MyApp

The folder you are currently using is riddled with many problems if not used correctly.

It could be useful to look at the SHGetFolderPath API Function (depreciated). Now use SHGetKnownFolderPath api function

SHGetKnownFolderPath

SHGetFolderPath function (depreciated)

[westconn1]

Why, when I pass one valid argument, does the system ignore that argument and store the data in a location that I did not intend, nor specify?

why not just bow to windows7 and save your data elsewhere, programfiles being a protected folder, requiring elevated permissions, it will only be harder in windows 8 or later