Updater Error in Vista (EQ2Maps v 1.11 through 1.14 tested)

[Ripper-Joe]

Alright, I see a lot of posts on similar issues to what I am seeing but it seems there is confusion over versions and specifics such as OS and patch levels so I'll post my specifics in hopes that we can narrow this down a bit more.

OS: Vista Ultimate 32bit
CPU: Intel q6600
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC 8500 (4gig)
Video Card: XFX nVidia 8800 GTS 320mb XXX Edition
Power Supply: Antec True Power Quatro 850 Watt
Storage: Twin Seagate 250 gig (Perpendicular) SATA II in Raid 0

.NET Version: 3.0 and 3.5 tested (currently on 3.5)
OS Patch Level: All current optional and recomended patches as of 11/26/2007
Vista UAC Mode: UAC disabled

EQ2Maps Versions Tested: 1.11, 1.13, and 1.14
Install Directory: c:\games\EQ2MAP Updater\

Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

• Disabled UAC
• Installed to directory other than /program files/ (Vista treats that folder with additional security that can impact some programs)
• Set install directory to full access (unchecked Read Only)
• Ran Installer as "Administrator" (via right click menu)
• Ran Updater as "Administrator" (via modification of the shortcut properties)
• Updated .NET platform from default (3.0) to 3.5 from Microsoft Website

Error Seen When Launching App:

Unknown Error: EQ2MAP_Updater
at EQ2MAPUpdater.GlobalVariables.ReadConfigValues()
at EQ2MAPUpdater.MainWindow.FormMain_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

Error Seen When Clicking "Options":

Unknown Error: mscorlib
at System.IO.Directory.GetDirectories(String path, String searchPattern, SearchOption searchOption)
at System.IO.Directory.GetDirectories(String path)
at EQ2MAPUpdater.Options.Options_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)Value cannot be null.
Parameter name: path

NOTES: As you can see, I am seeing two different errors. The first error appears just after launching the updater and can be cleared by clicking the x in the corner of the error screen. The second error comes up when I hit the Options button and can be cleared by clicking the x in the corner HOWEVER once the Options screen is up, clicking ANY button on the update screen (including the x to close it and the cancel button) produces the error again and refuses to allow the Options window to be closed.

Version of the updater does not seem to matter, nor does the version of .NET (3 or 3.5). I have done the obvious such as disabling UAC under Vista, running as Administrator, installing to a non system protected folder, and even running the updater in xp compatibility mode.

Please let me know if you would like any additional details or if I can help isolate the problem further.

[Ripper-Joe]

Additional Information:

When the installer runs, it only creates one folder containing 4 files. The files created by the installer are listed below.

Name Type Size
EQ2MAP Updater Internet Shortcut 1KB
EQ2MAP_Updater.exe Application 888KB
EQ2MAP_Updater.exe.config XML Configuration... 1KB
uninstall.exe Application 48KB

I have tested running the installer with the default path (c:\program files\EQMAP Updater) as well as an alternate path (c:\games\EQMap Updater) with the same results.

[jnils]

Thanx for the info, ill see if i can figure it out

[Hekynn]

seee thats why I dont use Vista its filled with bugs and not completely finished unlike xp. plus XP Service pack 3 is coming out woot =)

[Ripper-Joe]

Originally Posted by Hekynn

seee thats why I dont use Vista its filled with bugs and not completely finished unlike xp. plus XP Service pack 3 is coming out woot =)

That logic works to a point.. I guess that is why some folks still drive their 1971 Ford Pinto to work every day too. Heck, its got 4 tires, a steering wheel, and a gas motor. I'm sure many of them are still quite reliable. Some folks probably still use their 8Tracks, records, and tapes to play their favorite toons too. (Humm.. I seem to remember iPods having more than a few hiccups once upon a time but I see a LOT more iPods in pockets today than Sony Walkman tape players.)

I have nothing against a 71 Pinto or an 8track player but I prefer something a little more modern with a few more bells and whistles myself. I would rather work with Jnils to fix this little problem than revert back to a nearly 7 year old OS.. Different stroks for different folks I guess..

[celticht32]

I dont get the full error described above just the unknown error and can clear it by hitting ok or the small X.

I also only have the 4 files mentioned above in my directory no more...
I have cleared the cache etc...


Chris

[jnils]

Can you try to add this file to the program dir and see if it works any better.
(Unzip it first)
You may need to edit the path fields in it.

[gm9]

Originally Posted by jnils

Ok have made a test version thats save the config and cache folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\EQ2MAPUpdater.
I like to know if this works for you.

Oh, if it didn't do that before, that's something we had to do for our updater as well.

Also, if your app needs higher privileges you need to include an UAC manifest such that Vista prompts the user accordingly. We had to do the latter part to allow auto-updating of the updater application, but I think you need that for anything that you want to write outside of userspace (ie APPDATA). I guess you could ask Kaldran if you need specifics.

Hope that helps.

[Ripper-Joe]

Originally Posted by jnils

Ok have made a test version thats save the config and cache folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\EQ2MAPUpdater.
I like to know if this works for you.

Sorry Jnils, the test installer you made does not appear to work either. I did an uninstall of the previously failed EQ2 maps install prior to installing the new Test version then did a default installation (allowing the program to install to the "c:\Program Files\EQ2MAP Updater" directory. Upon completion I received the following error...

Unknown Error: EQ2MAP_Updater
   at EQ2MAPUpdater.GlobalVariables.ReadConfigValues()
   at EQ2MAPUpdater.MainWindow.FormMain_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

As a side note, Vista no longer uses the XP legacy path format of C:\Documents and Settings\USER\...

All user data in Vista is now stored in C:\Users... General data for all users is stored in C:\Users\Public (such as common picture, document, and video files). Whereas data for specific users is stored under a unique sub folder for their user account (ie C:\Users\JoeUser\...)

I believe all application data in Vista is now stored in C:\ProgramData\ (Note! there is NO space between "Program" and "Data"). So if your installer is able to properly detect Vista as the Host OS, you might be able to poke your application data (such as the config file) into C:\ProgramData\EQ2MAP\ as an example.

I see this is exactly what nVidia does with this directory. They store a small XML file containing general config information for all users in C:\ProgramData\NVIDIA. Adobe, HP, VMWare, and Microsoft all use this path in a similar way.