Temp directory problem

[reghakr]

When doing maintenance on some computers, I noticed the c:\windows\temp directory on a couple are always empty.

Then I found it was storing a small amount of .tmp files in the c:\windows directory. The delta.ini
and *.upd files from McAfee virus definition updates ended up here also.

I went to the MS-DOS Prompt and typed set. I got:
TMP=c:\windows
TEMP=c:\windows

I know I can set the variable for the session, but it reverts back after restarting. I've checked the
registry for NoSaveSettings. I've checked msconfig, .ini files, autoexec*, and the startup folder. Please don't tell me to put it in the autoexec.bat or any other batch files. I need to know where it's picking this information from and change it there, no additional files should be required.

reghakr

[petr]

Have you checked the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\explorer\VolumeCaches ?
It should have a subkey Temporary Files which contains the folder path.

petr

[reghakr]

Yep, it only applies to the cleanup tool.

reghakr

[Simon Clausen]

Which version of Windows are you running reghakr?

Regards,

Simon Clausen
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[reghakr]

Simon,

I'm using Win98SE. Let me give you some more details. I know this problem can be solved by adding lines to autoexec.bat or config.sys or create my own batch file, but my question really is:

I need to know where it's picking this information from and change it there, no additional files should
be required. I can't understand why 90 other Win98 computers don't require any addition entries in autoexec.bat, config.sys, win.ini, etc. to have the temp files where they belong, under c:\windows\temp

It's not a "how to fix it" question, it's a "why is it happening" question.

reghakr

[RWSchlatter]

quotes from the Win98 Resource Kit:

"Autoexec.bat Processing
Autoexec.bat is not required for Windows 95 or Windows 98, but it is included for compatibility purposes. If the computer has an Autoexec.bat file, each line is processed in sequence during system startup. Autoexec.bat can contain additional application-specific entries that are run in the sequence they are listed.

Windows 98 passes the initial environment to Command.com with the correct Windows and Windows Command directories already in the path and with the environment variables PROMPT, TMP, and TEMP already set. (TEMP= and TMP= indicate locations for temporary directories; both are specified for compatibility reasons.)"

"The default Windows 98 environment includes the following:

tmp=c:\windows\temp
temp=c:\windows\temp
prompt=$p$g
path=c:\windows;c:\windows\command
comspec=c:\windows\command\Command.com "

______________
Regards - Richard

[reghakr]

Here's that machines "default" configuration:

TMP=C:\WINDOWS
TEMP=C:\WINDOWS
PROMPT=$p$g
winbootdir=C:\WINDOWS
COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;
windir=C:\WINDOWS
BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H5 P330 T6

What would cause the default Windows 98 environment to be changed?

reghakr

[Smitty]

Hi reghakr

Is this relevant?

Summary: TEMP HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment Data type Range Default value REG_EXPAND_SZ Path %SystemRoot%\Temp Description Stores the path to the TEMP temporary directory for the system. Change method To change the value of this entry, use System in Control

Also: Should these be as in Richard's post above?

TMP=C:\WINDOWS\<font color=red>Temp</font color=red>
TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\<font color=red>Temp</font color=red>

Not trying to butt in but also following thread.

Regards

Smitty

[reghakr]

Smitty,

There is no butting in on a thread as I see it. We're all here to help.

I see it pertains to Windows 2000, but it's worth a try. I'll let you know.

reghakr

[Simon Clausen]

That is strange -- all the ones I have seen also have \%windir%\temp set as the default.

Is there anything in msdos.sys that might be changing it? What about if you do any F5 clean boot to the dos prompt, is it still the same (i.e. something in Windows GUI is changing it)?

Regards,

Simon Clausen
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[petr]

The windows default for the temp directory is stored in Io.sys. This file contains the following string TMP=TEMP=\TEMP. That's it. Changing this string into, say, TMP=TEMP=\ABCD sets the temp directory to windows\abcd. So if your Io.sys hasn't been modified and contains the correct setting, then the only solution is that one of the startup programs changes this default.

petr

[reghakr]

Simon,

No I've checked msdos.sys.
I'll try the clean boot tomorrow.

reghakr

[reghakr]

Truthfully, I thought it was contained in the command.com file, but I'll try replacing io.sys

Change the string inside? Like I said, WHY do I need to do this?

reghakr