Can't update BOINC client to 7.8.3. Keep getting Error 1325

Message boards : Questions and problems : Can't update BOINC client to 7.8.3. Keep getting Error 1325
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Rahvin84

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Joined: 24 Jan 18
Posts: 2
South Africa
Message 84526 - Posted: 24 Jan 2018, 16:15:18 UTC

Hi guys. I'm running BOINC manager 7.6.33 (x64) on my 64-bit Windows 7 i7 rig and it won't let me upgrade to version 7.8.3. I keep getting the message "Error 1325. Programdata is not a valid short file name."

I've done the Google and it seems that it's a field in the installer package's file data that needs amending but I'm at a loss as to how to do that.
This happens every time I run the .exe whether in Admin role or not.

Assistance will be appreciated!
ID: 84526 · Report as offensive
Richard Haselgrove
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Joined: 5 Oct 06
Posts: 5077
United Kingdom
Message 84527 - Posted: 24 Jan 2018, 16:57:22 UTC - in response to Message 84526.  

Two questions:

How far into the installation process do you get before it throws the error?
What is the 'Data directory" location being used by your current v7.6.33? It's shown on about the fourth line of the Event Log after startup.

C:\ProgramData (notice specifically drive C:) is the default location for BOINC - and many other programs - to use for working data. It's, by Microsoft default, a hidden folder, but it can be made visible via the Folder options control panel.

If the problem happens very early in the installation procedure, the installer will be looking for the UN-install tool for the previous version. Problems at this point can often be solved by running a repair installation of your old v7.6.33 - the file is still available via http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download_all.php, if you've thrown your old copy away. After that, the upgrade should proceed normally.

If the upgrade gets more than four or five steps in, you should have seen a screen telling you what the two separate installation locations will be, for programs and data. That screen has an 'Advanced' button in the lower-right corner: use that to choose locations which are valid on your computer.

If the error message mentions a drive letter in addition to ProgramData, and if that drive letter is no longer valid on your machine, you'll have to get down and dirty with the Windows Registry Editor, regedit.

Navigate to

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Space Sciences Laboratory, U.C. Berkeley\BOINC Setup]

and look at the key DATADIR. Mine reads

"DATADIR"="D:\\BOINCdata\\"

(in registry export format) - that's my choice. It would normally be

"DATADIR"="C:\\ProgramData\\"

Anything weird or not valid on your machine - correct it, or simply delete the key to restore the installation default. Check INSTALLDIR (the program directory) while you're there.
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Rahvin84

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Joined: 24 Jan 18
Posts: 2
South Africa
Message 84528 - Posted: 24 Jan 2018, 17:35:25 UTC - in response to Message 84527.  

The error occurred as soon as the thing loaded.

I re-installed onto C drive and went and edited the regedit entries for DATADIR and INSTALLDIR to C and it works now.

Thanks for the help!
ID: 84528 · Report as offensive

Message boards : Questions and problems : Can't update BOINC client to 7.8.3. Keep getting Error 1325

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