Files In HTR Folder

[MVM]

I just noticed something related to the HTR downloads, and wondered if anyone else had the issue.
I have been letting racefiles accumulate in my HTR directory for the current year. I have all the racefiles for the past 6 months in my current HTR directory. When I click "Check All" and "Download Now" for a day's set of files, it takes 3-4 minutes before I get the second dialog box asking me to save the files to the selected directory.
I renamed the HTR folder with all the old files in it and created a new empty one, and, as before, the Save To box appeared almost instantly (as opposed to 3-4 minutes later).
Does anyone know why the download process (specifically the time it takes) is tied to the number of files in the HTR directory? Struck me as rather odd. In task manager my CPU is maxed out by the iexplorer process during the entire 3-4 minute period also.

[Donnie]

this was mentioned a while ago, although I don't remember by whom. I suspect that the downloading java applet has something to do with it, but I could be wrong!

[Rick]

And you appear to be correct. The number of files in your HTR directory appears to affect it.

I would thnk a much better way would be to have at least two directories. One that you download into daily and the next for the accumilation of files.

After downloading into the daily you can just move them to your other directory.

That would eliminate your 3-4 minute wait.

[MVMcKee]

Thanks for the suggestion, that is what I have opted to do (seperate download and "working" directories.)
I am thinking that perhaps the applet is looking through the entire directory to check for files of the same name so that it can inform you of this and present the "File already exists do you want to overwrite...." dialog box.

[MVMcKee]

Maybe a possible idea for a future enhancement, would be to use the .ini file for something in addition to the GMT offset. Perhaps a datafile path and a zipped file repository path.
For my zip files I currrently have HTR02,HTR03,HTR04 and HTR05 directories. I have the same for my unzipped B, Q and C files.
It would be cool to be able to make a manual entry in the .ini file and define your own paths for these. In the absence of an entry in the .ini file, or even as a pre-existing default in it, have the current C:\HTR and C:\HTRDATA paths.
This way I could just edit my ini file instead of keeping 10 seperate copies of the app on my PC.
But, if I'm the only one who would use it............

[Rick]

You could just have 10 separate icons on the desktop and have each point to a different working directory.

Within HTR2 its so easy to change directories, why bother.

There is definately no one way for everyone with this program. :)

[MVMcKee]

Rick

Actually, you are right on the shortcuts...I just keep one to the current year on my start menu, I should have thought of that.

I knew I came to this message board for a reason.

Thanks.

[km]

Myself and a number of HTR customers have noticed that the slowdown disappears with one or more of the following changes -

1) replace hard drive with a more expensive, faster model. This immediately ended the problem for me. I always have 365-days in my HTR folder and there is no more problem with the download reaction time.

2) before downloading, access the directory (C:\HTR) with Windows or even run the HTR2 progam and this will load the folder contents into cache or RAM memory. This is why some users report this problem occurs inconsistently. (you'll notice that a large folder of racefiles will load far quicker the 2nd time you run HTR2, for the same reason)

3) upgrade to the latest version of the Java Applet, website at Sun Micro and re-boot

If you are on a network with company computer, none of these may be an option and the folder separation is the best solution. Re-booting the computer before the download often solves the problem with any computer as well because this clears the cache and RAM if there has been intense file activity on the hard drive.

[Snagaltooth]

I have a question Ken, since you bring up RAM.

I run Windows XP and leave it running all the time. Whenever it goes to a screen save time out, the XP screen shows there is one program "running" even though nothing is open. I've found it happens when ever I get out of HTR as my last program running. Is it possible that HTR is not "releasing" or is just my set up? I don't know that it is causing me any problems. Just thought I would ask.

[km]

First thing to remember Snag, is that this is a nothing problem if you have plenty of RAM, and almost all modern computers do. After a re-boot, everything clears.

Punch: <alt>-<ctrl>-<del> at any time to view applications still in memory and then highlight and delete the ones you don't want hanging around.

Possible reasons for this happening =

=If you exit HTR2 from a robot screen or a view screen such as the charts, sometimes the main program is not released from local memory because an unload is not initatiated in code (because it makes it quicker to return to the main program).

= Windows has a "frequent use" function that retains high use applications in memory for faster loading. Some commercial software programs utilize this as well to speed up your computer and browser.

= The task bar is tricky, sometimes you'll see the binocs down there and sometimes not depending on how you exited the program. I often exit in a hurry after running a robot test and this leaves HTR2 in memory but off the task bar for some reason. But exiting from the main program screen removes HTR from memory.

[km]

Here is the website to update your JAVA Applet Software (free download)

http://java.sun.com/getjava/index.html

[Huguenot]

This is my latest version.

Version 1.5.0 (build 1.5.0_06-b05)

The site says Version 5.0, Update 6 is available. It appears I might have that version???

[km]

Hug - - when you click DOWNLOAD NOW from that link it will tell you if the have the latest, or just get it anyway. The whole thing is automatic on there.

Re-boot when finished.

While in the IE browser, you can click TOOLS / INTERNET OPTIONS / ADVANCED and scroll down to find the Java plug-in. Be sure the box is checked and the version is listed. Looks like I have the same one as you described above and it told me that I have the latest.

[tbrown]

I tried this, but it wants to install the Google Toolbar which I don't want - my experience is that toolbars are nothing more than virus and trojan buses.
Anyone using the Google bar?
I don't trust anything "free" on the internet.

[km]

Won't hurt Tom. If the Google toolbar shows up, take the following action to remove from the Internet Explorer browser.

Bring up IE -->
Click VIEW / TOOLBARS (top item) / locate "Google" on the list and click to remove the checkmark.

Adware is usually the price of "free" for any download. Run an adware, spyware, virus removal tool once a week. Don't delete all your cookies though, even this website uses them for automatic log-in.

I no longer purchase any virus tools as they are too invasive (such as Norton or McAfee that do harm, trash the hard drive and slow up the computer). Try Trend Micro "housecall" for a great scan at no cost http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

[MikeDee]

T

I have been using the Google tool bar for months now and I love it. The auto fill for forms is just super and you can even auto fill credit card info (pswd protected). Also the spell checker lets you spell check anything you type in web box. (like this box) Hasn't anyone noticed my improved spelling in my posts.:D

[tbrown]

Thanks, guys.
But I'm afraid even Gaagle couldn't help my spelling! :eek: