I have been making a map for the past days but sapiens wont open the map anymore and the debug will only update if I run as administrator, but I can't access the map I made as administrator. The folder it's in has a lock on it and sapien can't see or access those! HELP!

Operating system (OS) > Windows XP = failtacular UAC (User Account Control). Kill the UAC. It does next to nothing except anger you whenever you try and do something. Go to Control Panel, and under your personal account settings, look for something that will change the UAC. I believe it says 'Change User Account Settings'. From there, slide the UAC level all the way to the bottom. Restart your PC, and BAM, the UAC is dead.

Now, this should help you with some permissions, but not all. If you aren't already the admin on the PC you use, become one. If you can't, then try messing around with your directory's permissions. I assume you have an admin password, so go to your directory folder (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition), right-click, click Properties, and check Security. Look for who has what permissions. Generally, folders like that are read-only. You need read and write authority. Just add your account to the read and write permissions area by changing your permission type for that account.

Hopefully that wasn't too confusing of a tutorial. I mean I run Windows 7 32-bit on Parallels on a Macbook Pro...if I can tinker with settings like that and bypass Windows' cruddy performance obstacles and Mac's Apple-biased perspective, you got this in the bag.

Disabling the UAC places all activity into the administrator context and leaves your system open to malware. Advising people to disable the UAC indicates that you do not really understand how windows security works. It is very bad advice.

Yes and no. It does not necessarily expose your system to malware, though it does reduce/remove some of the safeguards set up. I suppose I should've specified the user context before recommending to kill the UAC. In my case, over half of the tasks the UAC regulates I don't need, such as protection from suspicious file types (.zips being the most common), and I don't need it to tell me that an application is running for the first time. I understand why those safeguards exist, but in my case, I do not need them, being a somewhat more advanced user.

I am familiar with windows security, but as I said, I choose to bypass it as I know most (not all) of the restrictions. I say disable the UAC because it will make admin work easier, and will allow for a smoother permissions experience. In my case, it always interferes with my work because it is convinced that nearly every file I open is dangerous. Part of my reasoning here is that I run Windows on a Mac. As such, it is protected by the Mac's security, so most of the time, the UAC is redundant and pointless, hence it being disabled on my virtual machine.

There is no valid reason to run as an administrator in your normal context. Administrator privileges are reserved for those specific functions such as loading software or making changes to drivers. Normal computer use on a daily basis such as playing games, making maps, answering email...etc do not require administrator privileges. Telling people to disable the UAC or run as administrator is very bad advice. Especially when it it obvious, from their post, that they do not understand windows security.

I use it because it gets rid off the annoying popups and warnings. I understand what myactions will cause on my machine, and do not see a need to be warned, again, of said actions. I will not debate this further. It was submitted as a suggestion, as the UAC controls internal system properties and frees admin privileges, which sounds like he needs to do. At the very least, he needs to change the permissions to that specific folder. All I'm saying is that the UAC serves no purpose for me and my machine. Don't know about him.

Which is my exact point. When offering advice you need to consider the person it is being offer too.

I did the uac thing and the folders that had a lock on them were completely gone, so I set it back. Is there a way to get the debug.txt to update in windows 7 without doing all of the security stuff?

You need to change the permissions on the \Halo Custom Edition\ folders. The default user permissions for a standard user is read/execute only in all the \Program Files & Program Files(x86) folders. You do not want to open them all which disabling the UAC will do. You just need to change the specific folders \Halo Custom Edition and the child folders to give JUST your user account rights to it.

Removing security measures (disabling the UAC) when you don't understand them is never advisable.


Edited by Dennis on Sep 7, 2010 at 07:02 PM

Fair enough. My bad for suggesting someone disable their 'acclaimed' security system without considering their stance at all...

Security measures are a trade off between usability and safety and ignorance is no protection. It is fine to leave your door open when you are vigilant and watching what is outside but advising a blind man to do the same is reckless regardless of what you think of the lock on the door.

@Halocombatevolved

Are you using Windows xp?

Windows 7.

ARGH

My only recommendation is that you save your tags, reinstall HEK and Halo CE.


sorry about that

My PC has windows 7 and I can run HEK and Halo CE just fine.

My only other assumption is that your tagset may be corrupted.
Edited by Architect of Halo on Sep 14, 2010 at 10:57 PM