potterr on 7/12/2005 at 14:33
Thats interesting as its indicating that GL is not being allowed to delete the backed up up saves. which would make me wonder if it was then allowed to delete the FM zip files contents after they have been extracted...
S Bodi on 10/12/2005 at 05:58
I'm not sure.. I don't know if there's any way I can test this for you.
I will only have easy access to my computer/internet for the next couple of days I'm afraid, I'm traveling for a job for some time. Sorry :) I know I was the one who prompted this current issue
potterr on 10/12/2005 at 10:03
I will add you to the list of beta testers as there are a couple of things I am working on that may benefit you in it (change to the way GL moves the T3 saves and a lot more error diagnostics on that section). Unfortunatly it won't be until early January though.
SneaksieDave on 13/12/2005 at 23:31
I probably shouldn't even post this, as I haven't taken the time to follow the GL scene nor read this entire thread. Some of this might be redundant and all of it might be useless. That said, perhaps it might be of some little help.
I tried GL (v1.23) for the first time the other day on my work machine (thank goodness, see below). It's a pretty standard install - T3 in C:\Thief3, patched, no mods applied, didn't move the savegame folder. I tried running "The Walk" (mmm, good stuff) with it.
On the first attempt to install, GL froze up for a long period of time, and then informed me of an error (no, I don't know it right now - like I said, I probably shouldn't even post this useless non-info, but...) and shut down. I was given instructions on how to restore my T3 to original state. And it worked! Impressive. Error handling and the ability to diagnose and correct the problem.
So I tried again. Same behavior - long hang up, and then the same error message. Only this time, the backup zip file was not there (I noticed the restore instructions did say to unzip the backup zipfile IF it's there). Well, it wasn't, and therefore the T3 install got destroyed. Numerous files from the system folder were simply blown out of existence. I believe reports of this were around some months ago, but is it still happening?
I usually use my own home-grown mission installer, which does nothing more than:
-extract every file with paths preserved,
-back up every would-be-overwritten file, by giving it a .T3loader extension,
-on uninstall, it deletes everything from that mission, and restores the back up files
It hasn't failed me yet (including on other games). I am an amateur programmer at best, so I won't presume to state how I think you should make GL. :) However, why delete files at all? You could just back them up with a different file extension, and if the worst happens - an error during an install, and NO backup zip was created - then you didn't delete anything. Simply restore the files (or tell the user how to) and then cancel the install. Oh, I guess I did end up stating what I think. Well, anyway, it's safer. What do you think?
I ended up uninstalling both GL and T3 from my work system and left it that way, so I don't have further details at this time, but could perhaps assist if there's anything to be learned from this (aside from being TERRIFIED! just kidding! ;) ).
potterr on 14/12/2005 at 00:45
SneaksieDave, the deletion errors are either due to the savegame path erroring in some way or due to a failed install.
GL removes only the files it extracts from the zip and the majority of the save games folder (after backing up). The problem is that occasionally during a hang (note that some T3 FMs do take a long time to install due to their size) the reference file becomes corrupt and (although I have not yet been able to recreate this) effectively has part of a path recorded. GL then picks it up and seeing the path as a folder itself attempt to delete it. This has been adjusted in the next version to only handle it if there is an extention for the current file in the reference file.
One thing to remember though is that GL creates a mass of log files in its install directory (additional ones can be switched on).
Debug.log - contains information about zip contents and whats being installed (resets every time GL starts up).
SQL_Log.log - Can be swicthed on via the GarrettLoader.ini file and contains most of the SQL queries passed to the GarrettLoader Database (this can get quite big).
infilelog.log - contains information about any Thief 3 ini file updates that GL would have done for the last T3 FM installed.
The best bet for what may have caused a problem is in the debug.log file which I am updating in the next version to contain some more detailed info.
Just for info the wiki contains (or will when its finished) details of what GL does for each game install (
http://www.ttlg.com/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=GarrettLoaderInstallMethod) http://www.ttlg.com/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=GarrettLoaderInstallMethod
And all GarrettLoader info can be found in the GarrettLoader Category:
(
http://www.ttlg.com/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=CategoryGarrettLoader) http://www.ttlg.com/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=CategoryGarrettLoader
Also GL does basically exactly what yours does except that it zips up the files rather than renaming them THEN it extracts the zip allowing overwrites and when an FM is fully uninstalled (by installing another one) it restores the contents of the zip (basically its done that way to save a bit of space on the hard drive).
What concerns me is why it hung on you and what was it trying to do (what stage out of 8).
Also for anyone else reading, if you do get problems with GL, the first thing to do before starting it up again is to send me your debug.log file or post the last few lines of it here).SneaksieDave on 15/12/2005 at 21:31
Next time I install T3 to my work system, I will try to repeat all of this and give you as much info as possible.
potterr on 15/12/2005 at 22:03
SneaksieDave, thanks, it always helps to know what happens on other peoples PCs, I can only test on mine and have so far had no problems.
sepsis on 17/12/2005 at 10:45
yeah.... so i'm trying to think of an un-gay greeting and i can't, so.... hello?
ive been using these forums as troubleshooting references for years and i couldnt help but notice (especially with this thread) how pro you kids are at teh whole programming schtick (mmmm... first time i saw that spelled was in gabriel knight 3... good times...). i salute you, comrades! oh, damn, i just realized that me addressing you guys as comrades would be liek... oh, i dont know.... saying jesus (or insert other religious protaganist here... its important to be political correct. i'm not sure why, but i hear that it is) and i are sandbox buddies. its not true.
...this sucks that i fear the registry and system files so much that i admire you all for messing with it and potentially killing your hds as you know it (on teh inside, as you know the soft, downy insides of your hds). it sucks and i suck. bah.
despite this seemingly depressing fact, what the fuck, potterr?!!
Quote Posted by potterr
not having XP I am unable to determine where this would occur. However I have a distinct feeling that it is when it is deleting the saved games (after it has backed them up so that they do not appear in the FM). I am presuming that these are kept in you documents and settings folder still?
no xp? although even i have found it quite lacking in some (many?) areas, a lot of its features cannot be beaten (task manager, anyone?). and you (and a bunch of other people on teh forums and in this very thread, but i no listie them because im not a member of your cool-assed close community... not yet?) are all uber-1337 with the progs, yet newb with teh os? no matter how much i beat my mind with a worn leather belt, it still screams at me and, by extension, you. it screams 'why', my friend. why?
--Marilyn (call me wtf you want, i just thought id throw my name out there so i won't ever have to again, lol.)
Crispy on 17/12/2005 at 11:10
Hi, wtf. (You asked for it. ;)) Welcome to our little corner of hell... I mean T3Ed-ing.
I think Windows 2000 is more hardcore than XP. Less consumerist flashy graphics, more Real Ultimate Power. And using Windows 98 makes you even more hardcore, especially these days... you have to be hardcore, because nothing runs on it and it crashes every three seconds! Bwahahaha.
And you may call me "comrade" if you wish. But then again, I'm a pinko greenie chardonnay-sipping leftist, so I'd take it as a compliment. :p
potterr on 17/12/2005 at 22:23
I personally have windows 2000 Pro, a laptop with windows XP Pro (which doesn't have a good enough graphics card to run T3 on so I haven't bothered with it). I also have Win XP on 2 of my PCs at work and Windows 2000 Pro on another one. Out of all of them I use windows 2000, XP bugs me with its "You don't need to see this, I'll do that for you...don't you worry...nearly there...oh, it didn't work...oh well, can't help you there sorry" way in which it does things. Part of my job is to build automated self fixes for windows and other software, delivered and distributed through a sophisticated self help system (so good Microsoft bought up some of it...and its strange that you can always tell when MS re-sell a product because it actually works :ebil: ). I've been deep into XP (and I'm part of building a heavily locked down self healing XP build for 125,000 PCs at work), 2k and started to look at Vista...and I can say until Vista is at Service Pack 1, I will keep my home PC at 2K as I much prefer 2k (Although I do love MS's Avalon technology in Vista and if you like XPs bubbly graphic format, wait till you see what Avalon can do).
I have to admit 2k doesn't have all the fancy bits XP does and may not be quite so fast, but it is much better at actually knowing what's going on than XP.
Anyway back to GarrettLoader...:cheeky:
