asked on

vb.net and permission issues

I wrote a small program and it takes an access database stored as a resource in my.resources. On load im telling it to take that db and put it on the local workstation with the below code:

Dim tempFilePath As String = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData), "BMWMaintenance")
        My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(tempFilePath, My.Resources.BMWMaintenance, False)

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IM not sure why but i keep erroring out with a permissions error telling me i dont have rights. I tried launching as an admin and i still get the same result. I am an admin of my machine and a domain admin so this should work. What could be wrong?

derek7467

ASKER

To make this more complicated the below code works fine with UAC rights

Dim tempFilePath As String = Combine("C:\Program Files (x86)\BMW Maintenance", "BMWMaintenance.accdb")
        My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(tempFilePath, My.Resources.BMWMaintenance, False)

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it_saige

Try using CommonApplicationData.

The directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data that is used by all users.

Source

Dim tempFilePath As String = Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData), "BMWMaintenance")
        My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(tempFilePath, My.Resources.BMWMaintenance, False)

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Also what is the error you are receiving?

-saige-

derek7467

ASKER

error is:

An unhandled exception of type 'System.UnauthorizedAccessException' occurred in mscorlib.dll
Additional information: Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\BMWMaintenance' is denied

This is with UAC rights built in through app manifest.

Weird thing is i can create the folder fine, its when it tries to copy the db over i get the error

derek7467

ASKER

Is there any other way to copy an access db file to another directory? Right now, im embedding it in my exe and distrbuting it from my.resources

it_saige

I'm trying to see if I can replicate your problem.

-saige-

derek7467

ASKER

any ideas why the below line always gives me a permissions error?

My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(tempFilePath, My.Resources.BMWMaintenance, False)

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it_saige

Personally, I have not been able to replicate this issue. This is what I am doing:

Imports System.IO
Public Class Form1
	Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		Dim database As New FileInfo(Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData), "Testing.sdf"))
		If Not database.Exists Then
			database.Create()
			My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(database.FullName, My.Resources.Testing, False)
		End If
	End Sub
End Class

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Not that this will make any difference because it does nothing for the security.

However, maybe an application manifest will help:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb756929.aspx

-saige-

derek7467

ASKER

does that work for you?

it_saige

The code, as posted, works for me without any issues. I do not have to create an application manifest. However, if you are still presented with a problem, then you might try the application manifest route.

-saige-

derek7467

ASKER

it looks like yours is just creating a file, i am trying to copy over an access database that i embedded in my visual studio resources

it_saige

I only create the file if it does not exist:

If Not database.Exists Then
	database.Create()

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then I write the embedded resource to the file I created:

	My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(database.FullName, My.Resources.Testing, False)

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But as I stated, doing this does not resolve issues with access rights. It's only another method of doing the same thing you are.

-saige-

derek7467

ASKER

Well doing it your way actually works without errors, but the file is 0 bytes, meaning nothing was written to it. How should i store my access db in the resource section? What should the build action be set to?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

it_saige

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derek7467

ASKER

that worked you da man!

derek7467

ASKER

real quick if youre still here, how do i specify a folder within the localapp directory?

Dim database As New FileInfo(Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData), "BMWMaintenance.accdb"))

Id like to store that DB in a specific folder, say "Maintenance"

it_saige

You could do something like this:

Imports System.IO

Public Class Form1
	Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		Dim location As New DirectoryInfo(Path.Combine(Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData), "Maintenance"))
		Dim database As New FileInfo(Path.Combine(location.FullName, "Testing.sdf"))
		Dim fileStream As FileStream
		Try
			If Not location.Exists Then location.Create()
			If Not database.Exists Then
				fileStream = database.Create()
				fileStream.Close()
			End If
			My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllBytes(database.FullName, My.Resources.Testing, False)
		Catch ex As Exception

		End Try
	End Sub
End Class

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-saige-