SC4 Tools: New Toys..

[bap 4]

I have installed SC4 Organizer, but I am not able to run it. I cannot go beyond the initial setup page. I cannot change the directory entries. Whenever I click any folder browse button I get an error message "the conversion of the sequence of characters 'C:\Documents and Settings\XP\Des' to integer is not valid." The folder tree under "SC4 Stuff" has been created (but I had no choice of where I would like it to be).

The attachment shows how the setup screen looks like. Note that I see no option to go ahead. The only button that appears at the end of the page is the 'cancel' one.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Bap
 

[DocRorlach 25]

Dreaded page flip bug struck again!

Anyhow, Bap, the problem here is one of language. Since you are running your PC in Portugese (or Brazilian?) some internal attempts to translate the old XP-style Program Files string will not work. Because you the language, certain characters may be used (double-bytes) in your path name that the Organizer engine does not recognize. And the field for the game's application path is locked.

There are ways to resolve this, involving the registry, but I would need to know something about your version of Windows:

1. What type of Windows are you running? XP/Vista/Windows 7?
2. Is it 32bit or 64bit?
3. Have you ever used REGEDIT to modify the Windows Registry?

Depending on your replies I can fix this for you. If all else fails I can create a "special" version for you (and anyone else who had this problem) that will allow you to manually enter that path.

Having said that, I really advise you to switch to the DIC (the problem will be the same but - again - I can create that special version first if you tell me to), because support for the Organizer will end in March 2011.

[bap 4]

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

There are ways to resolve this, involving the registry, but I would need to know something about your version of Windows:

1. What type of Windows are you running? XP/Vista/Windows 7?
2. Is it 32bit or 64bit?
3. Have you ever used REGEDIT to modify the Windows Registry?

Depending on your replies I can fix this for you. If all else fails I can create a "special" version for you (and anyone else who had this problem) that will allow you to manually enter that path.

Having said that, I really advise you to switch to the DIC (the problem will be the same but - again - I can create that special version first if you tell me to), because support for the Organizer will end in March 2011.

quote>

DocRorlach, thanks for the quick reply.

My SC4 version runs in portugese. My operating system is XP on a 32bit computer. I may have used regedit once to get rid of an undeletable program. But I never changed registries related to SC4. I downloaded the DIC and the other programs in the suite, but I thought it would not be worth installing the others while I don't solve the problem with the organizer.

Bap

[DocRorlach 25]

No problem: what I will do is to create an installable version of the DIC which will allow you to enter the problematic path manually. I will PM you the URL from where you can download that one-off version. Once the DIC is running you can then install the Organizer, too; it will take its cue from the DIC as to where everything is.

This might not happen today, as my house is currently experiencing brown-outs. But I should have it ready by tomorrow sometime around early afternoon.

The folders which are created automatically are all dependend on the logbook path. My suggestion is to leave it as is, i.e. below My Documents and therefore next to your user plugins folder.

Edit: 19:36H, GMT - I've just snet you a PM with the URL for your download. Instructions are included.

[mlylem 0]

DocRorlach

I am haveing the same problem as Bap. I am using Windows XP 32bit in English and no i have never used REGEDIT before.

Thank you for the wonderful tools that you have provided. I am looking forward to using them.

 

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: mlylem

I am haveing the same problem as Bap. I am using Windows XP 32bit in English and no i have never used REGEDIT before.

Thank you for the wonderful tools that you have provided. I am looking forward to using them.

quote>

Mlylem;

To fix this, without messing around with the registry editor, please download the DIC here, and install it. Run the installation; when the initial setup screen shows, manually type or copy & past the Maxis Apps path (usually \Program Files\Maxis\Apps) into the textbox labelled "SC4 Installation". Tab to the next field and most required path info will complete itself. Complete the setup as necessary, save & restart the DIC.

You really will not need the SC4 Organizer after that, but if you still want to install it (functionalities overlap), it will now take its cue from the DIC installation.

Keep me posted as to the results

[mlylem 0]

Thank you for the help. It worked great. The DIC loaded and seem to be working properly. Thanks again

[EyeofMobius 27]

Alas Today I am going through an "I hate my plugins folder phase." I am using the DlC to keep track of all things downloaded but I just want to start from a clean slate in the DlC but it is being petulant and not leaving things I have marked unninstalled as uninstalled.

What I would simply like to do is a full sweep of the DlC's memory of what I have installed so that anything in the downloads folder becomes new and unninstalled again.

If it's relevant I'm running SC4D on Windows XP with all the default folder branches.

[DocRorlach 25]

Mobius - if I may call you that - I am puzzled by the fact that items marked as uninstalled revert to the installed state. I do it all the time, in modest numbers, and it does not appear a problem. The checkboxes are not needed, you just need to do a Shift-Select or Ctrl-Select for all the items needing to be marked. Then right-click on any one of them.

That said, it is happening to you and we need a fix. If you have MS Access it is is easy: close the DIC, open the dlcatalog.mdb database (found in Program Files\eu-Contractor) and set the field dlDone to False. If you do not have MS Access, zip up the database, email it to me, and I'll do it for you. My email address can be found at the end of the FAQ (DIC's main screen, Help -> FAQ).

There is presently no function to summarily set the DB entries to uninstalled.

And to be clear - that does not uninstall the actual plugin, it only changes the database entries. While you could use the DIC to uninstall downoads, doing so fo an entire plugins folder would be laborious since it needs to be done one by one. So to remove marked plugins, you will have to do this manually.

[EyeofMobius 27]

I do have access and was able to make the neccesary changes thank you.

The only holdout is the NAM Setup.zip Which I wouldn't be entirely surprized if it is a result of corruption which would be caused by one of my aged and slightly abused hard drives.

[DocRorlach 25]

Since you have MS Access, might I suggest the following:

Just in case, make a backup of your database (the DIC can do it for you). Then close the DIC.

• Open the active DB and delete everything you do not want to be considered as installed.
• Uninstall NAM, using the uninstaller provided by NAM, or via Windows. Do the same for any other unwanted executable installetions listed by Windows as installed.
• Make sure you delete the Network Addon folder from your plugins as well.
• Make sure that all your wanted downloads are in the My Documents\SC4 Stuff\Downloads folder.
• Restart the DIC and select File-Rescan Downloads. It will consider all found ZIP files as not installed.
• Get the latest NAM from the LEX or STEX.

The only drawback of this crude but efective method is that the custom filter using dates will not work as well for a while since every rescanned download will take on the date of the scan.

When you reinstall, the filters will help (filtering for props, essentials, manul installetions) and make the Download Manager quicker in loading - if you do have a lot of downloads.

Moreover - and this goes only for manual installations - you can Shift/Ctrl-Select downloads and install them in one go, as long as you want them all to go to a single folder. Subfolders, as dictated by the download, will be created on the fly. I've just recently reinstalled everything (6GB worth of plugins) in two days.

If you need any help, come here or email me.

DocRorlach

(PS: 'tis the season for getting new hard drives, just be nice & put it on a list someone will see

[unorthodox 0]

Hello guys, how can I modify a lot (n

[DocRorlach 25]

You cannot - that is not what the DIC (or the Organizer) has been created for. To change occupancy of a lot you need either SimRolle's SC4 Tool, or iLive's Reader, both available on the STEX.

The DIC does not (yet) delve into the internals of SC4 files, it onlt manages the installaton and organization of plugins and its folders.

[Gringamuyloca 47]

Holiday Greetings DocRorlach.

I am trying to figure out how to use Themes in the latest version of the DIC.

Theme Control (under Developer Settings) is greyed out. What steps are to be taken to enable this feature? (I'm probably missing the obvious here!)

Cheers,

Tamara

[DocRorlach 25]

Sorry to disappoint: Themes are not yet working. I've had (and still do have) rather some difficulties in a) making it work without detrimental effects on the plugins folder, and b) making it work relatively fast. I should have really taken the option out altogether.

The nearest you can get to themes is to use the Exclusion options in the Plugins Manager (under the Developer menu). That said, I advise care: do make a backup before you use it, and remember that you can never use this on a built-up region - unless you enjoy the view of brown boxes. It is really meant more for testing plugins to locate an errant lot or mod.

I hope to have themes ready sometime next spring. I know, that is a long wait, but we are working on several things here - and there really is only one coder around these days..

[Gringamuyloca 47]

Thanks for your quick response!

While I admit to a slight disappointment, it is quickly tempered knowing Themes are being worked on.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your knowledge, skills and precious time with this community.

I use the DIC on an almost daily basis, and can't imagine playing SC4 without it!

All the best to you and yours

t

[DocRorlach 25]

Thanks "Crazy Lady" (if you don't mind the translation). Kind words indeed. We are presently (right now actually) working on an interim update, which should come out shortly after the change of years. No biggy, just some additional clean-up options, and a restore option should the Reset & Repack ever go wrong.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, wishes for improvements - and there is plenty of room for that - please feel free to post them here.

Saulud,

DocRorlach

[Gringamuyloca 47]

 

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

Thanks "Crazy Lady" (if you don't mind the translation).quote>

Not at all.. ..it's a nickname given to me while I was in Costa Rica... Long story short, my neighbor thought I 'worked' too hard... and kept muttering gringa muy loca under his breath .. his 18 y/o son overheard him one day and thought it was funny... and from there after would greet me and introduce me as "la gringa muy loca. I must admit 'the very crazy white woman' kinda tickled my funny bone... and seemed like a good 'alias'... though not too many get the humor.

The only request I have at this point is to understand the  'combining folders' option for wouanagaine's SC4DatPacker.

My Analysis report says to achieve 264 mb 'folder' limit but can only select up to 256 mb when trying to combine folders. (I don't know enough to be helpful..just know enough to be dangerous..lol)

Thanks again for your time.. and please don't go out of your way on my account! 

t

 

[DocRorlach 25]

Ola, Bonita.

No, I am not "going out of my way" - this is all standard service (you obviously did not read the fine print when you signed the contract for the DIC - .

The 256 limit is simply explained: 256 on all but the really old PC's will translate to roughly 260mb on disk. File sizes, as listed in the DIC (or the Explorer) are a tad misleading because the actual disk space used will depend on the level of fragmentation.

I add that limit to minimize the number split DAT files the latest version of the DAT-Packer creates, because these gave us problems in the past.

Besides that, there are still errors in the analysis reports; mostly typos but also a couple of calculations are still out of whack. We hope to remedy this soon.

And you are already helpful: every question posed here helps other to understand what's up with those infuriating tools.

DocRorlach

[Rady 94]

Hi DOc,

I just upgraded to the latest 2.0.3.7 version and was adding some donwloads when I encountered a strange bug / Problem / penomenom:

When using the "add folder" function, the DIC correctly recognizes the files within and add's them to the databse. However, when entering the "manage & install downloads" screen, ALL of the downloads

> are moved to the download directory

> are marked as missing.

Only after calling "Move missing DL's", they get recognized properly and can be installed.

Sorry if that has been stated already, but I've been away for over half a year now and might have missed the latest stuff ..

[DocRorlach 25]

Rady,

You have not missed anything. The function to add files/folders to the downloads is pretty old and has not been looked at for some time.

Basically, ZIPs should be moved to the SC4 Stuff\Downloads folder ("official" folder location for all DIC downloads), if you clicked the "Move found files.." option.

Once you select an originating folder, you ought to see the list shown on the left. By default all found ZIPs are checked - except in cases where the ZIP file is not recognized (as is the case here).

If you are doing that, and the files are not actually moved but listed as MIAs then there is indeed a bug.

That said, I just found another bug myself (which may or may not exist in your version since I am somewhat further along the line with unreleased stuff): the Cancel button does not seem to work!

Hence, there will be a new release tomorrow. I will look at the import function in more detail. watch this space for release info.

Apologies for the bug.

DocRorlach.

[Rady 94]

I do have the checkbox marked, but it doesn't work.

However, no need to apologize, Doc!

[DocRorlach 25]

Will enter the lab early tomorrow morning; fix should be in around this time on the morrow. Will PM you..

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

Will enter the lab early tomorrow morning; fix should be in around this time on the morrow. Will PM you..quote>

Well, I'll wait for you fix notification then Doc.  I don't want to be shooting at a moving target since the software I am testing against is a beta release.

[DocRorlach 25]

No, Moose, the DIC is long out of the beta stage. Rady simply uncovered an error - as can happen with any computer software, OS or application.

[Gringamuyloca 47]

Hi DocRorlach

Seasons Greetings..

As I have already proven, I do tend to miss the obvious... is there a way to sort the 'Download Manager' alphabetically?

Again, thanks for a most useful application!

a most sincere fan!

Happy New Year

[DocRorlach 25]

Senorita Muy Loca:

Sorry, but no, currently there is no direct way to sort the downloads list. What you can do, though, is to use the filters creatively: the Custom Filter will accept anything - type in part or all of what you are looking for and hit Enter. If it finds what you type anywhere in the name of the download, it will list these. Alternatively you can do what I do: enter a date (European format: dd/MM/yyyy preferred, but should work with US formats, too), then hit enter. The list will be reduced to any downloads made on or after that date. Filters are remembered - so when you close and reload the Download Manager it will return to the filtered list.

Rady, Moose (and everyone else, of course):

DIC Version 2.0.5 has just been released. For those who already have Version 2.0.x.x or later, upgrading is easy: just go to the Help menu and select Check for Updates. This will deposit an EXE into the eu-Contractor folder (or wherever else you installed the DIC). Double-click it and all files will be brought up to the latest versions.

Should this not work - for any unfathomable reason, the update is also available from the SC4 Tools site.

This release addresses the following points:

• Fixed a minor bug that wrongly attributed an archives location after using the Add Folder option;
• Fixed the Cancel button on the Add Folder panel;
• Added a temporary log file (swap log) to the Reset & Repack operation; log will be overwritten each time the process is launched;
• Added a Restore option to the Reset & Repack swapping procedure: if anything goes wrong, users will be asked to restore the previous state of the plugins folder;
• Removed all Theme-related options as this is not yet working to specifications;
• Added tags to show last installation & last repack; latter turns red if installations were made since the last Reset & Repack;
• Reduced clean-up recommendation threshold to 10 installations;
• Several minor cosmetic fixes;

Everyone (again):

This is a Vista/Win 7 caveat: When using the Reset & Repack option while the Windows Explorer is open, please make sure that the Explorer (or any other application) is not currently pointing at any file or folder in the Plugins folder. Vista/Win 7 consider this as a "process" holding the file/folder and the DIC cannot act on it. This can lead to unforeseeble results/errors prior to the packing process.

Recommendation: when using Reset & Repack it is best to close the Explorer.

And, of course, no plugins should be open in iLive's Reader, Simrolle's SC4 Tool, SSP, or the Lot Editor as this would lead to similar errors.

As always: please report any problems, ideas, recommendations here - we'll try & act on them a.s.a.p.

[Rady 94]

Doc, thanks for the updated version, will tra it later. Two more things tht i managed to observe:

> when selecting a folder for installing a manual download, after unzipping and installing it, the directory changes to again. Before the folder remained selected, which IMHO made it easier if you have to install more into that directory

> the download list is no longer sorted alphabetically

Possibly this has been done by purpose, so just wanted to mention it.

[DocRorlach 25]

Rady,

The original sort was the default "unsorted" version that came with the lits object. Since you are now the second person asking for the sort, I will add three sort types: alphabetical, by download date (now the default), and by install date. That said, please do not expect this to appear overnight - sorting these lists without detrimental side-effects is rather a bit of work. Bt it will be done (by popular request).

I can add a checkbox to keep the last used manual destination folder. The reason I took it out was that I kept forgetting about it and ended up installing stuff in the wrong folders. Again, this will take a bit and should be in the next update.

Cheers.

NB: Hope someone takes these silly hats off and soon! Yours looks like a malignant eye-patch while mine makes me criss-eyed! Blasted!

[Rady 94]

Doc, thanks for your quick reply, and take the time you need to add those two things. Most likely there are more important things for you to do than to care about those nuisances

Cheers