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I have ran into a problem with Windows XP running on my sister's computer. I have sent her two programs that use the Windows Temp folder to store files. The programs will not work on her computer and there is no sign of these files in the Temp folder. The programs work OK on two different computers using Windows 98, and the needed files can be seen in the Temp folder. Any help would be appreciated.
LarryC
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Larry,
As Arie says programmes shouldn't be run from the Temp folder. Temp folders are usually used by windows to store files temporarily usually while windows needs them or for an installation of a programme. I use the temp folder as my download folder but move the files to a CDRW soon after. Anyway if you think these files should have installed in a temp folder in windows XP (other than C:\windows\temp) try looking in the temp folder associated with your login you use or the administrator if you login under that. C:\documents and settings and click on the login name. Then click on the local settings folder and then the temp folder. I usually delete all that windows will allow from this folder as it grows and grows.
One program is a board game. The game's data is stored in a single file that is saved in the Windows Temp Folder and then attached to an Email. On the XP, right after saving the file, there is no sign of it being anywhere on the computer. On Windows 98 - it is where it should be.
The other program compiles HTML pages into one .EXE file. Upon executiing the EXE file, the HTML pages (and associated files) are saved in a single folder in the Windows Temp folder, and the default page is then opened. On the XP - just eratic behavior. From having no homepage to having a homepage. From having a homepage with a few graphics to having one with no graphics. On 2 Windows 98 computers - no problems at all.
According to my sister, there is a temp folder in the Windows folder, but no sign of the aforesaid files or folders. Not in the temp folder or anywhere on the computer.
Because I don't have access to this computer, I am probably wasting your time. I guess I was hoping that the problem was a common one, and had an easy solution.
Larry - the problem may be too many Temp folders on the XP system.
I'm using XP-pro and it isn't always identical to XP-Home but here is what I found:
C:\windows\temp (that holds some stuff)
C:\temp (that was apparently created by the Cnet update service and holds it's temporary files)
C:\Document and Settings\newt\local settings\temp (and one for each of the user accounts on the PC)
Do you know exactly where the programs are trying to write files? Or what controls the location they want to use?
In XP-pro, you can go to control panel~system properties~advanced and click on the Environment Variables tab. From there you can see where the system is placing temporary files and where the current user is placing them. XP-home will be the same for system and may be for user. Not sure.
Any files a program sends to "temp" should be going to one of those two locations.
I don't know exactly where the XP is trying to put the files, and they never show up anyplace on the computer.
One of the programs's 'help' files states that they are extracted to \Windows\Temp\ folder. I found out via internet that the other program puts it's one file in the same place.
Larry - go to control panel~system~advanced~environment variables tab
and you can see/change where the user account stores temp files and where the system stores temp files.
For these games to work, you might need to change the user settings to use c:\windows\temp. Shouldn't be a problem unless there are lots of users and you really need to keep their temp files isolated from each other.
Note: the above applies to XP-Pro. Hopefully XP-Home will be the same but maybe not. And you never said which version she is running.
My sister recently downloaded a game and it advised her to modify her temp folder(s) (not sure how). After doing so, her system crashed and her husband had to reinstall Windows. I think I am going to quit helping her on this one.
I am going to save this info. for future reference.
