Vista error running ORBX PNW demo - ORBX can't help

[tacomasailor]

When running FTX Central I get the following error message when I click on Apply with a green checkmark in the North America icon (more details are shown in the attached jpg)

System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'F:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\ORBX\Scripts\Backup\default.xml' is denied.

ORBX support has not been able to offer a solution to the problem. I have successfully installed other OBRX products and love them.

VISTA32/SP2 - NetFramework3.5 installed UAC turned off (also tried it with UAC turned on)

The file is located where ORBX is looking for it - A non-administrator user can edit that file. the file (and ORBX) folder have a "Everyone" group with Full Control permissions.

I have tried everything I know to make the Apply work but get that error.

When I click on Apply with Default FSX checked - the FTX Central program works as it should and gives me the appropriate message. All the other FTX Central options and tools work as they should.

Any ideas?

[Ragtopjohnny]

Appears it may be corrupted.

I'd try to redownload it, reinstall, and then see what happens. If it continues, you might want to check with Microsoft for support.

I'm shocked ORBX can't help?

John Thuot II
A+/Network+

[freddy]

Vista and Windows 7 "lock down" the Program Files folder and prevent unauthorised file changes there. However, if you have turned UAC off, then you should be able to make changes. So Ragtopjohnny's post could be correct, you might have a corrupted file. However, have you tried running the program with Administrator rights (right-click the shortcut or EXE and choose "Run As Administrator" from the menu options which appear)? Running as Administrator is similar to turning UAC off, so I doubt this will help, but I'll suggest it here nonetheless.

Also check that the file mentioned in the error message ("default.xml") actually exists and is indeed in that path mentioned in the message.

Could that file ("default.xml") be in use at the time the change is being attempted (ie, you are perhaps running the sim)? If it is "in use", then that could effectively block any changes being made to it.

You might also want to consider setting Full Control security settings on your FSX folder. From Windows Explorer, right-click on the Flight Simulator folder ("F:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator") and set the Security tab to allow "Full Control" making sure to check the box "...and all subfolders" as well.
.

[tacomasailor]

I've tried all the various ways to get around the problem. I am a pretty good system guy on Vista. UAC on/off - Run as Admin in two different places. The user trying to execute FTX Central is the administrator...etc

As I said - a non-administrator can edit the file in question. I have created an "everyone" permission group with Full Control for the entire ORBX folder.

The file does exist and I can edit it.

Process Explorer shows nothing else in the system is running.

Process Monitor shows:
Date & Time: 3/18/2010 4:28:51 PM
Event Class: File System
Operation: IRP_MJ_CREATE
Result: ACCESS DENIED
Path: F:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight SimulatorX\ORBX\Scripts\Backup\default.xml
TID: 2300
Duration: 0.0000386
Desired Access: Generic Write, Read Data/List Directory, Read Attributes, Delete
Disposition: OverwriteIf
Options: Sequential Access, Non-Directory File
Attributes: A
ShareMode: None
AllocationSize: 0

So - I don't think it is a system problem if I can edit the file

[freddy]

Ah. OK, so those things have all been tried. You mention applying the green checkmark in North America ... this suggests you have PNW ... have you tried the free Tasmania demo from ORBX? ... as a test to see if it has the same problem. After that, short of suggesting to try it on a different PC or laptop, which would probably require a significant extra amount of time and effort, I'm out of ideas.

[tacomasailor]

FTX, Tools, Help, Documentation all work as they should.

FTXCentral thinks PNW is installed - at least it says Active Region-North America at the bottom of the screen and there is a green check mark in the right hand icon for North America.

But - the scenery does not show up with a library rebuild and flying over the Olympic Mountains show winter snow. (Looking out our dining room window also shows the winter snow on the Olympic Mountains - but at a finer mesh)