UserInterface.xml directory

[mrbean]

In the Full UI - Configure Application Manager.vi (I've customized the TS4.0 OI), I tell the ApplicationMgr to get its ConfigFilePath from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\National Instruments\TestStand40\UserInterface.xml.

While building the TestStand deployment, I was trying to find the path to the UserInteface.xml file and I saw something wierd.  I couldn't find the ..\AllUsers\Documents\ but I did find ..\All Users\ Shared Documents\.  The wierd thing is that when I traversed to that folder in Windows Explorer, and clicked on it, the Address field didn't show the "Shared" in front of Documents.  Any idea what's going on there?

[mrbean]

I have another question related to the first.  In the Distributed Files tab of the TestStand Deployment, in the File Properties drop down, there are about twelve directory options available.  The TestStand directory is known, and the Installation Directory is set in the Installer Options tab, although I'm not sure how to provide a path other that C: as the base.  Anyway, my main question is, how do I set the directory for the Personal Directory?

[KristenC]

Hi MrBean,

I have also noticed that about \AllUsers\[Shared] Documents.  I'm not sure why it is that way, I just know they are referring to the same directory.  Maybe someone else on these forums know why, or maybe someone on Microsoft's forums know.

The Installation Destination Directories are general terms that refer to a specific directory on the target computer.  They are general as the file structures are different between different versions of Windows, and it would cause problems if you provided a specific path.  Here is a listing on MSDN of what these directories are referring to:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa370905(VS.85).aspx#system_folder_properties

You cannot specify in the installer to use any drive letters to keep the directories more general, as not every computer has the same drive letters.  When you are running the installer on the target machine you will be able to specify what you want the installation directory to be, and at that time you can change the directory.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[mrbean]

So the default for the Installation Directory is C:\, and if I want the installation to get placed in D:\ (plus offset), I have to allow the user to change the dir?  I didn't want them to be allowed to muck with the directories.  Also, what if I want some stuff installed on C-drive, and some on D-drive.  It doesn't sound like this is possible.

[KristenC]

Hello mrbean,

There is no way to specify the drive.  You are only able to specify those generic folders so that the installation can work on any computer regardless of how it is set up. 
 
If you'd like to request that R&D look into implementing that you can file a product suggestion by going here and clicking on feedback.

[mrbean]

Now that I'm doing a TestStand Deployment, I've come back around  to this problem, and I'm trying to decide the best place to install the UserInterface.xml file. It seems like (at runtime) the HMI expects this file to NOT be readonly (I saw an Error writing to ...UserInterface.xml Error Code: -17205, Access Denied).  Once I unchecked the Readonly property, the settings I had in the xml file seem to be applied in the HMI. 

My other question is, what Logical Drive name do I use if I want to point to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\National Instruments\TestStand40?  I saw the PersonalFolder, but it appears that that points to the current user, not ALL users.   Even if I do get the deployment to point to the All Users area, will this file be accessible by the HMI, or do I still have to manually set the Readonly property?

[KristenC]

Hi mrbean,

Check out this help topic on the ConfigFilePath Property
http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/370052F-01/tsuiref/applicationmgr_configfilepath_p/
The default path is: %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\National Instruments\TestStand %TSVer%\UserInterface.xml.  This is the "TestStand Application Data Directory" when you are looking at the Installation Destination pull down in the deployment utility.

As for your second question, C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\National Instruments\TestStand40 corresponds to the "TestStand Public Documents Directory".

[lordsathish]

Hi Ppl,

I'm also trying to deploy the userinterface.xml file. The operator interface is actually looking for the file in the  TestStand Local Application Data  which is

C:\Documents and Settings\<User name>\Local Settings\Application Data\National Instruments\TestStand 4.2.1

However in the deployment utility ->Distributed Files Tab->Installation Destination directory selection combox box this TestStand Local Application Data directory option is not vailable. The closest to this that I could find is the Personal Directory which is C:\Documents and Settings\<User name>\Documents.

So is there any way to deploy the userinterface.xml directly.

[Ryan_T]

Hi Lorsathish,

You are correct, that option is not included in the combobox.  Your best option is to install the file to the Personal Directory and then use a batch file to move/copy the file to the appropriate location using the ..\ notation.