A "missing" assets problem

[angelah]

Since my PC went 'phut' just before Christmas and I had to buy a new one I have hit a problem that I am, at the moment, unable to solve.

It originates from the failure of the shop to completely transfer the Dispatcher folder, they only got 6.5 of the 8+ gig, so when I came to look at my WCL2 route that is almost completed, it had the black Missing Assets screen on start. Well, no surprises there - I expected it and was thankful the maps showed at all! At least (so I assumed) I could download or find from my second drive archive, any of the missing content, which I proceeded to do and reduced the 12 pages down to one sheet. She did well....

But I soon realised that after running TO (I use 2004) exactly the same assets kept coming up as "missing". I went into Explore and checked the Dispatcher folder and sure enough, there they all were, brazenly staring back at me.
Back into Trainz and the route, found each asset and placed it - so they are not actually "missing"....
Next I allowed TO to remove cache files but that didn't work so I did it manually but that has not solvled the problem either.
Tried saving out to a different name and TO'ing that with the same result.

So I am at a loss as to what to do next. Can anybody shed any light on this and offer a cure please?

Each asset has been installed at least 3 times. TO states that (ONLY EARLIER VERSION AVAILABLE) which is nonsense, both versions are in Dispatcher.

It's driving me nuts, or to be more precise, nuttier!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Angela

 

[cathouse]

Hi
I'm always getting the "only earlier version" mantra, even tho you have both(all) versions either Trainz or TO seems unable to see past the first version it finds.

my simple answer is to delete the earlier version (pop it in a folder somewhere just in case)

this always works for me.

cheers
Roy

 

[angelah]

Hi
I'm always getting the "only earlier version" mantra, even tho you have both(all) versions either Trainz or TO seems unable to see past the first version it finds.

my simple answer is to delete the earlier version (pop it in a folder somewhere just in case)

this always works for me.

cheers
Roy

Hi Roy,
And thanks, I will try that soon. Still installing assets from my E:/ drive massive aechive, up to 6.84 Gig now, so a way to go yet!
But I am going bosseyed so will have a rest.

Happy New Year to you my friend,

Angela

 

[StorkNest]

The ONLY EARLIER VERSION meassgae has been there for a while in a select rare number of assets. Don't think anyone knows what causes it. Way I always treated it, if it runs without a missing assets message in Trainz, then ignore TO.

 

[JCitron]

One of the issues I recall from TRS2004 is the missing assets message was related to sessions. Try opening up the route in Surveyor and ignore the message, remove any wagons and locomotives you have, and then save. Afterwards try opening up the route again.

I'm sorry to hear of your drive issues. This is the worst thing about computers.

John

 

[angelah]

The 'Missing' word

The ONLY EARLIER VERSION meassgae has been there for a while in a select rare number of assets. Don't think anyone knows what causes it. Way I always treated it, if it runs without a missing assets message in Trainz, then ignore TO.

Hi Storknest,
That's the trouble and the reason I looked at the route with TO, I got the dreaded black screen. I know there is a Vendel asset I cannot find (I have mailed him about it) and a Shoves one that is giving a problem, but all the other faults are the 'Earlier Version' affliction although I have fiddled quite a bit.
One of the main problems was the shop deciding to reformat the drive and copy everything over to another one for safekeeping. Snag was they didn't get everything. They didn't realise that Trainz stores all the data in Program Files. Usually with programs this is saved to a different file elsewhere on the drive and the Program Files entries are just shortcuts. I did tell them about this but I they didn't believe me I don't think.
This is the reason I am struggling with assets and odd messages and black screens. But at least the 3 years work on the ground file is safe and opening fine. I have had a loco running end-to-end now I have found the point motors/lever assets and installed those.
It's the black screen, it gets to me....

Still, I can try to sort that all out next year now!! Ha ha...

Happy new year to you,

Angela

 

[Dermmy]

Angela I think there might be two things going on here. If I read you right you are trying to get rid of the black screen and your thinking is that the 'Only Previous Versions Available' stuff in TO is what is causing it??

Assets listed as 'Only Previous Versions' is a known glitch to do with TO not properly recognising Kuid2 suffixes. It is not really a problem and assets so listed are - as you have found - installed and available. I think your problem is arising from the fact that when TO lists assets under the 'Map' tab it lists only primary assets, it does not look for sub-dependencies.

On the other hand when Trainz loads a route the 'Black Screen' looks for ALL route dependencies - primary assets and sub dependencies and reports anything as missing.

Whenever TO reports all assets present but you still have the black screen you must be missing one or more sub-dependencies, generally something like a product for industries etc.

TO can list missing subdependencies, but the option is hidden away in a sub-menu. Fire up TO, open the route under the 'Maps' tab, then right-click anywhere on the background. A pop-up menu will appear, one of the options is 'List Third Party Content with Missing Dependencies' (I don't have TO open, that is probably not the exact wording but near enough). I think that will sort your problem...

Andy

 

[angelah]

Thanks

Angela I think there might be two things going on here. If I read you right you are trying to get rid of the black screen and your thinking is that the 'Only Previous Versions Available' stuff in TO is what is causing it??

Assets listed as 'Only Previous Versions' is a known glitch to do with TO not properly recognising Kuid2 suffixes. It is not really a problem and assets so listed are - as you have found - installed and available. I think your problem is arising from the fact that when TO lists assets under the 'Map' tab it lists only primary assets, it does not look for sub-dependencies.

On the other hand when Trainz loads a route the 'Black Screen' looks for ALL route dependencies - primary assets and sub dependencies and reports anything as missing.

Whenever TO reports all assets present but you still have the black screen you must be missing one or more sub-dependencies, generally something like a product for industries etc.

TO can list missing subdependencies, but the option is hidden away in a sub-menu. Fire up TO, open the route under the 'Maps' tab, then right-click anywhere on the background. A pop-up menu will appear, one of the options is 'List Third Party Content with Missing Dependencies' (I don't have TO open, that is probably not the exact wording but near enough). I think that will sort your problem...

Andy

Thanks Andy,
I will give it a try, but next year now.... ha ha.
The fireworks have started here so although I was thinking of turning in early I don't think that will be an option now!
Never mind, I am watching 'Weapons of Combat, the Rifle' now, already through the pistol - two of my favourite programs - I have them recorded....
Gives you some idea of my private social life!
After that it might be tanks....

Happy new year,

Angela

 

[angelah]

Another odd thing.....

And here is another odd thing that's happened.
I have been installing hundreds of assets but some were refusing to show in Trainz, which puzzled me.
On checking the Trainz folder I discover there is a second Downloads folder where a whole mass have been placed. This is an addition to Dispatcher, which has its own Downloads folder right where it should be... weird.
So am transferring these over one at a time and that will take ages. I shall try to get as many missing assets back into the Dispatcher Downloads folder as possible before worrying too much about the black screen because as Dermmy says, there are probably some sub-files needed that are not as easy to see as the main ones.
It will take a long time, so this will also mean the route release will be put back considerably.

Thanks to all for your helpful suggestions on this matter.

Blessings to all,

Angela

 

[Stationbeem]

I only have the one download folder. Which is as it should be. What may have happened here is that the Tech-guys at the computer shop may have put your downloads folder into another downloads folder. This may be part of the problem you are having. I may be wrong but it looks that way to me. Try the Ctrl+A highlight copy and paste to the first folder then delete the second folder. A bit time consuming though , or are you doing them one at a time for a reason.

This is just a suggestion some one else may have a better way of doing it.

Regards Dave.

 

[angelah]

One at a time

I only have the one download folder. Which is as it should be. What may have happened here is that the Tech-guys at the computer shop may have put your downloads folder into another downloads folder. This may be part of the problem you are having. I may be wrong but it looks that way to me. Try the Ctrl+A highlight copy and paste to the first folder then delete the second folder. A bit time consuming though , or are you doing them one at a time for a reason.

This is just a suggestion some one else may have a better way of doing it.

Regards Dave.

Hi Dave,
One at a time is boring but some are already over so I am just checking what's in and what isn't.
I don't think this was done at the shop, it was Trainz on installation. Why it did this is another mystery - I have several going on - and I have never seen it before.
As you say, there should only be the one. However, I have also initiated Paintshed now as many assets need it and a few more are working. But stacks to do yet, right into next week I shouldn't wonder.
Didn't know about Ctrl+A, I might try it, but am terrified in case it mucks up the download folder again. Of course yellow tag folders cannot be done with a right-click/shift operation the same as files, if they could it would be easier. This folder is huge, quite a few gigs, 6.48 in the phantom folder and 7.08 in the correct one.
I aim is to get everything copied out of the phantom and then shift it completely to my second drive out of the way. Once I do that I can be sure any downloads or installations of assets go to the right place.

Thanks for yout tip.

Angela