\\WHEEZE-PC\Merging\\

Which double backslash should I get rid of?

Here's what I have:
bUseVersionControl=1
SNetwork Path=\\fedecks\Merging\
SNewVersionBackupPath=\\fedecks\VersionBackup\
SNetworkMasterPath=\\fedecks\Merging\Data\
bUseMyGamesDirectory=0
SLocalSavePath=Saves\
SLocalMasterPath=Data\
SLocalBackupPath=Data\CheckInBackup

I did that and I was able to get past that error and it seemed to merge the .esp with the .esm but it asked me to open a .CID file. I didn't find any .CID file anywhere so I just hit cancel and a brief progress bar came up and then nothing.

But the .esm was still only 1kb and I enabled it and checked if the changes I made were there and they were not.

I don't know if I need to go in to more detail or not but I really appreciate the help you guys have given so far.

Glad that fixed it for you guys.

Wheeze, it sounds like you didn't Check Out your forms before the Check In. Read the tutorial I posted on the CK wiki carefully, it also addresses the (optional) usage of CID files:

http://www.creationkit.com/Version_control

Maegfaer,

I have always had the trailing backslash on my directory references other than CheckinBackup. I think double slashes at the end would be incorrect. I copied the lines directly from the tutoria, pasted them into SkyrimEditor.ini and changed the computer names. I stll get the same error. Everything seems to be working fine until I try to check out forms and it tells me it can't locate the master. I'm also on Win7Pro64. I can access all of the directories through their network paths.

bUseVersionControl=1
bUseMyGamesDirectory=0
SNetwork Path=\Neptune\Merging\
SNewVersionBackupPath=\Neptune\Merging\VersionBackup\
SNetworkMasterPath=\Neptune\Merging\Data\
SLocalSavePath=Saves\
SLocalMasterPath=Data\
SLocalBackupPath=Data\CheckInBackup

I'm writing up a step by step for you guys right now, shouldn't be too long. Win7 can be a PITA with network shares.

Thanks Tamb0. If that's all it is I would sure like to have it fixed. I've always felt like it was just some obsure network setting issue but I know just enough about WIndows networking to barely get by.

Ok, I've been away for several hours, to try and duplicate the problem that you guys are having. I had to install Steam and Skyrim on my Windows7(x86) installation (I generally just use my Win7 (x64) installation and already have VC on there).

Anyway, after waiting several hours, It was all ready to go. The main reason was just to make sure that it's not something in CK 1.6.89 that's preventing VC. Good news is, it's not.

I know Win7 can be a bit fussy at times with network shares, so here's a step by step that should get it working.

Firstly, start fresh by disconnecting your Skyrim and Merging network shares. In Windows Explorer, select Tools > Disconnect network drives... and disconnect both of them, one at a time.

If your Merging folder is in the root of C:\ move it. Preferably another drive or create a 'Work' folder on C:\ and put Merging inside. Check that the Merging folder contains the other two folders,...Data and VersionBackup.

Create another folder inside your Skyrim\Data folder and name it CheckInBackup (if you don't already have it)

1. Right click on your Skyrim folder and select Share with > Specific people... and select your username. If you don't get these options and it just says Advanced sharing, just leave the menu and goto step 4.
Repeat the process for the Merging folder. Double check your username has been added to the folder permissions. To do this, follow step 2.

2. Right click on the Skyrim folder and select Properties. Open the Security tab. Click on the Edit button. If your name is not in the list that appears, goto step 4.
Left click to select your name. In the lower area, make sure the top box (Full control) is ticked. Click OK twice. Repeat step 2 for Merging folder.

3. Your folders should now be setup correctly. If you still have problems, goto step 5.

4. We're now going check for, and add you username to the permissions list, as needed.

Right click on the Skyrim folder and select Properties then pick the Security tab. Click on the Edit button. If your name is not in the list that appears at the top, click on the Add button. Type in your username in the big white area and click Check Names. Your name should appear in the form YourComputername\Usename. Click OK and the box will close. In the properties box below, select your newly added name to view your permissions in the bottom window area. Put a tick in the top box (Full control). Click OK. Repeat for Merging folder, then goto step 5.

[Edit] If you still have problems with VC after completing all the steps, come back to step 4 and follow the above process with the Steam folder.

5. With the Folder Properties box open, select the Sharing tab. Click the Advanced Sharing Button and tick the Share this folder box. Leave the Share name alone. Click Permissions and then Add. In the box that appears, type your username and click Check names. Your name should appear in the form YourComputername\Usename. Click OK and the dialog box will close. In the box below, select your newly added name to view your permissions in the bottom window area. Put a tick in the top box (Full control). Click OK. Repeat for Merging folder.

Your 2 folders shoud now appear in Windows Explorer. You can check the permissions by right clicking the network folders and selecting the Security tab. Your name should be there with full control allowed.

SkyrimEditor.ini should contain

[General]
bUseVersionControl=1
SNetwork Path=\\YourPCname\Merging\
SNewVersionBackupPath=\\YourPCname\Merging\VersionBackup\
SNetworkMasterPath=\\YourPCname\Merging\Data\
SLocalSavePath=Saves\
SLocalMasterPath=Data\
SLocalBackupPath=Data\CheckInBackup
bUseMyGamesDirectory=0
bAllowMultipleMasterLoads=1

and SkyrimEditorPrefs.ini should contain

[WhoCanMerge]
YourUsername=1

(i think a flowchart is needed)

As I said, I did this over an hour ago on a clean install and it worked flawlessly.

If you still have problems with Windows7s network fussyness, post back. There are more extreme steps we can take.

To answer a few posts (if they haven't been answered since I started this

The tutorial tells you to make a Data folder inside the Merging folder. It doesn't remain empty. The Merging\Data folder is where you place your esm files.

The very last one on each line that has 2 on the end (right hand side)

and SkyrimEditorPrefs.ini should contain

[WhoCanMerge]
YourUsername=1


When it asks if you want to create a CID, select No

Hope this helps some of you.

Thanks for the help Tamb0. I thought for sure you had me on the right track when I went in to each of the network shares and realized I had set the permissions in sharing but not in security. Went in and did that. Now I have permissions set on each side. Right at first, I couldn't get it to access the network at all. It said that Skyrim.esm on the network was different from the local and gave me an error that said it couldn't access the network master. I went back and looked at SkyrimEditor.in and realized I took the double backslashes out from the beginning of the network paths when I was screwing around with it the other day. So I put those in thinking that would fix it and it now goes all the way through. I can update the .fid .fud and whatever okay so I know it is seeing the masters on the network in the merging/data directory ok. But then I'm still getting the same error when I try to check out forms. -- Could not locate target master file on network. Bummer.

Try doing the same thing (Step 4) to the permissions on the Steam folder.

[Edit] You may have to disconnect the network folders again and then repeat step 5. Doesn't take long.

I added my name for permissions to the Steam folder and it doesn't change it. You think I need to redo Skyrim and Merging after doing that?

I think I will reboot first.

OK, I went back and disconnected and reconnected both Skyrim and Merging after adding my name directly to the permissions on Steam, rebooted and it still does the same thing.

It's NFS protocol, for network folders.

The correct sintax is:
\\host_name\shared_folder_name\possible_subfolder\

So it's " \\ " to start the path, " \ " to separate each folder\subfolder level and " \ " to end it.

Well I got mine working, thanks for your help everyone!

Ok, it seems it was all about that " \ " at the end of network paths.

I can only blame Windows for working it for me everytime I miss it, which cant be done in a text file....... *blush* -.-'


Nonetheless, now comes the funny thing: "http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1389121-version-control-sorry-until-were-working-on-dlc-the-correct-answer-is-no/"

Tamb0.
I followed your guide very carefully and I still have the same problem.

VC looks like it works just fine and no problem. But I still cannot merge an .esp with an .esm. It always looks like it works fine because there are no errors or anything but the size of the .esm file never changes. It's always at 107bytes. I tried enabling it and testing it out in-game and it does not work.

Damnit what the hell is going on.

I made sure that there were two dashes in the beginning of each path in the .ini file.

So it looks like this:

SNetwork Path=\\WHEEZE-PC\Merging\SNewVersionBackupPath=\\WHEEZE-PC\Merging\VersionBackup\SNetworkMasterPath=\\WHEEZE-PC\Merging\Data\

Ok, I should have mentioned this in the previous post.

Firsly, you should/must have an administrator account (I prety sure everyone has). In step 4, check the permissions of the other important accounts ie. Administrator and SYSTEM and make sure they have full control as well. I'm pretty sure they should OK, but just check anyway. I'm stumped as to why it isn't working for you guys, but that's Windows7 for you

The only thing left that i can think of, is to take ownership of the Skyrim, Merging, Skyrim share and Merging share folders. To do this right click folder > Properties and choose Security again. Click the lower button 'Advanced' and select the Owner tab. If your name is not here (it shouldn't be), click Edit and then select Other users or groups.

Put your name in the (as before) and click Check names. When your name appears (YourComputername\Usename) click Ok. Your username will now appear in the lower box of the Advanced Security Settings window. Select your name and click Apply. This will write to the folders (that's normal).
After a short while, you should now be the owner Click OK and close.

Do the above for all the folders. Maybe a reboot when complete and try VC again.

If it still doesn't work after this, contact b.gates@microsoft.com

I tried taking ownership of each of those folders in my login name last night when things weren't working. It made no difference. Active Directory is running on a server with Small Business Server 2003 rev2 I believe, if that helps. Everything else works fine, even the macs. I feel like it is something in the network but I wonder if there is some obscure setting in SkyrimEditor.ini that everyone has but me. But then I tried this on two completely different installations of Steam and Skyrim and got exactly the same result. Now I am tempted to take a computer off of the network and set up its own internal network. What a pain. I can't see any reason the CK should be so picky when I can access those same folders and files quite easily from a MacPro sitting next to me.

The only thing that comes to my mind, and could be something you already did, is adding "Everyone" to the authorized users list of your shared folders.

That "active directory" comment gives me chills, however. How is your network configured, how many PCs? You use a WinServ 2003's "Active Directory" to login on your PC!?
Because that could be the problem and there would be other solutions.

We have 8 pcs, five macs and the server. Yes, everyone logs in to the domain through Active Directory. I would have a hard time believing they created VC to be incapable of working on a professional network as opposed to a simple P2P setup. I also find it curious that it sees the network well enough to go through a setup process that actually accesses and writes files on the network, compares them to be sure they are the same as the local files, and then can't find those same files at the end.

That changes things a bit. I was under the impression that it's a single home PC that you're using.

I think you'd have to set up the network share from the server, not the node.
Alternatively, you could try setting up a local administrator account on the PC that doesn't connect to the network and log onto it when you want to use the CK. Not ideal, but it should work OK. (your network admin might not be happy though).

He's happy when I'm happy since I set it all up myself. I'll look into it and see what I can do. I have never had any issues with setting up local shares before. My login has full network admin priveleges but, as I think I mentioned, I know just enough about windows networks to be dangerous. My backgound was all mainframes. APL and UNIX and I forgot all of that sometime in the last century.

You could try making a network drive and using that instead. Not sure if that works, but if all else fails...

It is certainly worth a shot. I'll map the Steam directory and try working from there.

I'll just edit this - I mapped Steam as a network drive but I don't know what to do with it from there. The Skyrim and Merging folders are shared and all looks good, but it doesn't make any difference in the result. Still can't locate the master.