Temp Directory

[Travis]

Is there a way to change the default temp directory for windows. I am "ODBCing" with a very large table in Access. When I try to link the table it quickly fills up my c: drive with the file c:\temp\jet7.tmp. I have a d: drive that has plenty of room. Tried changing the virtual memory to another drive. . .didn't work.

[Paul D]

C:\temp isn't the default Windows temp folder, C:\Windows\temp is. C:\temp used to be the default DOS directory
Try adding the following 2 lines to autoexec.bat:-
set temp=d:\temp
set tmp=d:\temp
For some reason you need both
Post back if it works please



<Font face="Brush Script MT" size=+3 color=#3366FF>Paul D</font>

[I]

[Travis]

This didn't change the directory that Access uses. I'm wondering if it is an Access setting and not a windows setting. I've looked everywhere but can't find the answer.

[Paul D]

Did you actually create a d:\temp folder?
If you did, I guess you're right.
Also, what drive is Access on?



<Font face="Brush Script MT" size=+3 color=#3366FF>Paul D</font>

[I]

[Nick]

I wondered about this, and would have suggested what Paul did... but I have just realised. The c:\temp\JET gives it away. It is not Access (or windows) that is using this temp space, but the OBDC drivers... Check in Control Panel&gt;OBDC to see if there are any settings to allow configuration of the DB driver(s) you are using for the temp file space... else look at other system files to see if they 'create' an OBDC temp folder at boot. I wish I could be more help, but I am not a DB geezer.

Nick

[Travis]

Yes, I created the temp folder on the d: drive. . .but still didn't work. I'm using a NT machine and was browsing in the system properties. Noticed under the Environment tab a place called user variables. I set in their the temp and tmp variables equal to the d:\temp and it worked!! Finally!! Thanks for your help it eventually led me in the right direction. I wonder why adding it to the autoexec.bat didn't work???

[Travis]

Nick,
Thanks for your help, didn't think of that one. Check the reply to Paul to see how i finally got it. If only we were back in those dos days things would be a lot simpler!!

[PhiLho]

I guess that's because NT doesn't rely on Dos, and don't use autoexec.bat...

That's why there is this Environment tab.

That shows the importance to state the system you are using when asking for help, particulary in the registry field... And obviously, in the environment variable field also!

To answer why there must be two SET (one for the TEMP variable, another for the TMP), it is because these variables are directly checked by the programs (no Windows API here). There is no standard here, so some asks for the TMP value, others for the TEMP one... This convention belongs to Unix roots.