Duplication of file folders in local file system Navigator

[Simon_Aldworth]

My colleague and I have just noticed that in DIAdem 2010 we have duplication of file folders and network drives in the local file system window of Navigator. In the attached screen dump you can see folders that have duplicated - sometimes more than once as they are shown with full network path and with alloted drive letter (e.g. K&C, Project Info, Proposals 2010, SQEQUELData).

You can also see where our 'N drive' is repeated part way down the folder tree. Needless to say, these are all rubbish.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Si.

[Brad_Turpin]

Hi Si,

No, I've never seen or heard of that issue.  You didn't post a screenshot of Winndows Explorer.  Have you tried forcing DIAdem to refresh the NAVIGATOR?

Brad Turpin

DIAdem Product Support Engineer

National Instruments

[Simon_Aldworth]

Hi Brad,

I know I didn't post a screen shot of Win Explorer - I didn't intend to, only a screenshot of Navigator. I'm not sure why you asked this question but I guess it might be because you have inferred from my message that DIAdem is responsible for duplicating file folders. This isn't the case. DIAdem is displaying duplicated file folders that aren't actually there - they are phantom.

Yes, we have repeatedly pressed the refresh button, but to no avail.

Cheers.

Si.

[Brad_Turpin]

Hi Simon,

I asked the Windows Explorer question because in the 5+ years the DataFinder has been out there I've never heard of it or DIAdem either duplicating physical folders or showing phantom folders that don't exist.  So I thought it would be helpful to see what Windows Explorer showed for that same parent directory.  It would also validate your claim that the folders don't exist.

Do you have DIAdem / DataFinder running continuously, or do you shut them down from time to time?  How do you have the DataFinder set up-- will it notice file system changes automatically?  Have you tried the <Index Now> button in the DataFinder configuration to force a re-indexing of all Search Areas?

Brad Turpin

DIAdem Product Support Engineer

National Instruments

[Simon_Aldworth]

Hi Brad,

Regarding not showing a Win Explorer screen dump, you'll have to trust me. I can assure you they are phantom, especially as there would not be a network drive shortcut letter part way through a folder tree structure. I don't know how much it has to do with the DataFinder either as we don't use it (unless it runs automatically in the background).

Here are the answers to your other questions:

Do you have DIAdem / DataFinder running continuously, or do you shut them down from time to time? DIAdem is only run when required - it spends more time shut than open.

How do you have the DataFinder set up-- will it notice file system changes automatically? I haven't set DataFinder up at all so it is exactly as it came out of the factory. I ran a test by adding a new folder and it didn't show up until I hit the refresh button.

Have you tried the <Index Now> button in the DataFinder configuration to force a re-indexing of all Search Areas? I tried this and it made no difference.

Cheers, Si.

[Brad_Turpin]

Sorry Si,

You're right, since you sent a screenshot of "grey" folders in the DIAdem NAVIGATOR tree view, this shouldn't have anything to do with the DataFinder-- my bad.

Is there anything unusual about your network or those folders?  Are you perhaps looking at non-Windows data sources mirrored through to behave as network folders?  Do you ever see the problem on a computer that has no network drives configured?  Do some network drives misbehave more than others?  Any clues for us?

If you haven't already, please report the operating system for any computers that exhibit this issue.  How many computers show this effect?  How many don't?

Brad Turpin

DIAdem Product Support Engineer

National Instruments

[AndreasK]

Is it possible, that the folder contains a bunch of lnk (windows link files?)

The grey tree will follow those link files.

Using this it is also possible to create 'N:' by just drag N: with right mouse and say 'Create link'.

e.g.

drwxrwxrwx   1 user     group           0 Apr  6 15:39 K & C

rw-rw-rw-   1 user     group         738 May 12 16:22 K & C.lnk

where 'K & C.lnk' is a windows link to 'K & C'

This was originally intended to allow building up folders of favorites in the "My Computer View" by putting links of favorit folders to a directory.

[Simon_Aldworth]

Bingo! Well done.

The drive folder was full of shortcuts, presumably accidentally created by people with drag and drop tendencies.

All sorted.

Cheers!

Si.