So, I got this sweet new computer and wanted to try and get back into mapping. I'm used to using xp and vista, and have encountered some issues. Just wondering if anyone else has had them/ fixed them.

I am the system admin and I don't have permission to write files in my halo directory (or anything in my program folders for that matter) For some strange reason 3ds max can write files, but if it creates folders they are invisible to all other programs (including windows explorer)

MS Paint (I haven't installed PS yet) doesn't have the same level of access to my computer as 3ds (why on earth?)


Please help, I used to be so good at this. Now I can't even make a simple test-space map on the account of I can't make a single shader.

I used to have this problem, the solution is:

Goto control panel.
Click on accounts (or profiles).
Make sure you are at the screen showing your profile.
Click on User Account Settings near the bottom.
Drag the slider down to none.
Restart the computer.

Walla! Problems fixed. If it still persists, right-click the application or folders\files giving you trouble and set permissions to ALL for all listed users. Have a nice day!
Edited by MoooseGuy on Jan 3, 2011 at 05:32 AM

Thanks moose, it helped. It's because none of the HEK programs are windows 7 compatible, UAC was having a hissy fit or something along those lines.

Dennis chewed me out for suggesting this. I'm surprised he didn't get to you. But I agree with your advice. The UAC sucks.

Also, HEK+ will not work with Aero. If you haven't already figured the work around to that problem, you have to disable desktop composition in the shortcut's properties (I think. It may be that you have to disable something else. I can't remember at the moment).

To disable desktop composition, right-click on the shortcut or the application, and select properties. Then under one of the tabs, it has a list of checkboxes. That's where you click the option to disable desktop composition.
What this will do is set the themes to default when the app starts, to get rid of problems with freezing. Then after you close it, everything will be set back to normal.

The UAC solution is BAD if you are not the ONLY person on your computer.
Right click the HCE folder, properties, security, edit, and set FULL CONTROL for all the users in the top box.

No it's not. It's good. U paranoid?

It is BAD if your computer is public or others that use it are not trustworthy. But if it's a family computer, for example, then disabling the UAC is not necessarily BAD. Plus, if it you're the admin for that machine, and it has multiple users, disabling the UAC does not destroy your admin rights. The other users will not have as grand an access to the machine as you, the admin, do.

That was the first thing I tried, but I didn't have permission (surprise surprise). Moose's solution worked out though, And I'm not very worried about security (NIS does a decent job, and I can always nuke and pave ;)


That was also a pain in the ass that took me a bloody hour to figure out. You've got to disable visual themes.

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