FSX Unzip subfolder prevents open AIG zip

[jordanal]

Don,
Something I've noticed for a while now and I think I now have a hypothisis for its cause.

When installing AIG FP zips back to back, the Unzip folder doesn't always delete fast enough before the next AIG zip is opened, and I occasionally get an error about not being able to open the AIFP.cfg file. This is still noted using the 2.1.24(k) release on my FSX rig which is a pretty speedy 4.8GHz machine with SATA3 drives.

I my estimation, this hiccup occurs about 15 to 25% of the time when I have completed the installation of one AIG zip file (compiled) and then go to open the next AIG zip file from the menu. The Unzip folder is not closed and deleted fast enough, before the next zip file attempt to extract a new Unzip folder - it's a timing issue between the delete and create of the unzip folder. If I simply repeat the open FP zip menu selection, the open zip process completes normaly as expected.

Maybe you can add a delay or check-routine that looks to see if the unzip folder is gone before opening a new FP zip?

 

[gadgets]

Al, if the previous delete had not completed, you'd get an error message to the effect that the unzip operation failed due to duplicate files.

Which doen't mean there's not a problem but, rather, that it's unlikely to be related to the previous delete. If the file weren't there, you wouldn't get any error message (The program would just assume it wasn't a "modern" AIG archive.) so, most likely it's a faulty unzip.

The next time you get the message, please record the exact wording.

BTW, are you on a 64-bit machine? It may be that the 3rd party zip/unzip software I use struggles on fast 64-bit systems. Is anyone else experiencing such difficulties?

Don

 

[jordanal]

Roger that Don. Also, I feel the need to clarify, just to be sure we're on the same page.

When I say, 'delete', I am referring to the AIFP subfolder named "Unzip", which is not always removed from the previously opened plan, before the next FP zip file is opened. In fact, I am looking at my AIFP installation right now, without it running, and the Unzip folder is still there from the last open zip file - so can I conclude that the Unzip folder is only deleted and recreated when a new FP zip file is opened? Sometimes when I open a FP zip file, I can see this Unzip folder quickly disapear then re-apper, but it is at this point, when opening the next FP zip file, the Unzip folder sometimes gets stuck and doesn't go away in time for requested FP to be unzipped. I'm almost sure it's a timing issue of clearing out the previous Unzip folder, prior to the next zip being extracted into it. The error message always complains about not being able to locate the correpsonding AIFP.cfg file related to the FP zip file I just opened. But then the next attempt to open the same zip file always seemts to work.

I will annotate the exact wording here the very next time I see it - hopefully shortly as I continue my AIG New Years round installation. Yes, this is on my Win7_x64 FSX Rig where it has been routinely noted over many versions.

Thanks again for a great, great FREEWARE program and AWESOME support

 

[jordanal]

Got it!

The unzip error was observed again, in this case having just finished compiling Mango Airlines, I attempted to open the next zip file QantasLink to no avail. As you can see, the Unzip subfolder was not re-created before AIFP attempted to find the AIFP.cfg file in it. If I then press the OK button in the error window and immediately retry the same Menu > File > Open Zip > QantasLink, it works (it's a unzip timing issue).

 

[gadgets]

Please read the error message? It's an access issue.

Have you tried running as administrator? Or, alternately, move AIFP to another logical disk. Running unregistered programs that create/delete folders on the C: drive can be problematic on Vista/Win7 if not running as administrator.

Don

 

[jordanal]

I am the admin account (the only account) on the box with UAC disabled and never any drive/access issues noted on any other program or utility. I build all my own PCs and this isn't something I've noted before with any other zip-utility including 7zip, WinRar, WinZip, etc... If it were a drive/access issue, then repeating the same open-zip process shouldn't work a few seconds later. It's a timing issue between closing out the previous zip install and opening a new zip, that sometimes occurs.

 

[gadgets]

Al, the attempt to re-create the folder triggered an IO Permissions exception. That is what AIFP is reporting. AIFP is simply reporting what Windows told it.

Being the admin is not the same as running a program as administrator. I know, it sounds silly. But, its true. I also run with admin privileges. But, for some programs, especially those on the C: drive, I have to start the program with "run as admin ..." to avoid such issues. Also, I often do something that Windows stops me from doing with the message "You need the administrator's permission for this action" (or something similar) - usually a folder manipulation. I simply hit <Enter> and things continue. (Have you never had that happen?) I have no idea whether NET or Win 7 is behind this. But, I do know that running programs that manipulate folders on the "C" drive other than when started "as admin" can be problematic.

Rather than argue, why not try starting AIFP with "run as admin" and see if the problem persists. If it does, then try moving AIFP to another logical drive.

There's nothing I'm aware of that I can do inside AIFP to address OS security issues.

Don