Where is user data stored?

[RickyEM]

I deleted my openCPN program data directory and programs(x86) directory and have lost all my routes and waypoints.

Where is that stuff normally stored, in what files? Would like to know what files to undelete and how to get my user back into openCPN when I reinstall.

Thanks in advance

[rgleason]

Why did you do that? You really should be using the program "Uninstall Programs" as Windows wants to control these things. Sorry if there was a misunderstanding.

Try to restore them from your recycle bin.

You should read the links Bdbcat and I provided. You will see that there are two paths to the data.


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2894167

[RickyEM]

When I get frustrated I can do stupid things...

RE "You should read the links Bdbcat and I provided. You will see that there are two paths to the data."

Thank you, but Where are these links? What are the two paths to the data?

[RickyEM]

Can you tell me where the user data is stored, what files, what directory?

[rgleason]

From the other thread
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2894167


C:\Users\..... Apps\

C:\ProgramData
It is in the article I linked to.





After sorting out the permissions, I might remove a group of the charts causing trouble then use chartdownloader to redownload. Then rebuild the database.


Another link about programdata
https://www.howtogeek.com/278562/wha...er-in-windows/




bdbcat
also from the other thread


RickyEM...


There seems to be some trouble with permissions on ProgramData


Google "ProgramData access denied". Lots of hits here, like:


https://stackoverflow.com/questions/...-in-windows-10


Dave

[RickyEM]

Could we please just focus on the user data issue in this thread.

Where is the user data (routes, waypoints, etc.) stored? What files and what directories?

Thanks

[bdbcat]

RickyEM...


C:/ProgramData/OpenCPN


Dave

[RickyEM]

Great, thank you. I have restored all the files for C:/ProgramData/OpenCPN from an old backup.

After I re-install OpenCPN, can I just copy the files from my backup to the respective C:/ProgramData/OpenCPN directories?

Can you give me any more specific guidance as to which files have my data?

[rgleason]

C:\ProgramData\opencpn

opencpn.ini - settings
opencpn.log - informative output - look for "Error" "Warning"
navobj.xml -routes, etc. -being used, others are backups.
plugins directory - where writable data for each plugin is installed.

An alternative way to access the opencpn data files, which is dependent on your choices when you install the program. Is it available to all users? for example:

C:\Users\All Users\opencpn
C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local\opencpn
C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\opencpn

The link I gave you explains this.
I hope you can find out and learn this alternative route and use that in your opencpn.ini file and settings, because I believe that alternative route to the same data provides the normal user all the necessary permissions, since your user does not have "admin" access.



NOTE: Giving your user "admin" access is somewhat risky as that removes security and protection from doing stupid things that affect the OS. It is best to stay as a Standard User.


I hope this helps.
There is a lot of this information in the Manual and FAQ too.
You can do searches.
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...ser_manual:faq
Search on navobj
Search on Route


BTW What is user data?
Charts?
Plugin settings?
Routes?
Marks?
Tracks?
They are stored in different places and in different ways.
SENC files are preprocessed ENC chart files that OpenCPN uses to display the charts. They are not the chart data you download or purchase.
See
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...hart_formats&s[]=senc


Found with an easy search in the manual.

[RickyEM]

Great, thanks. Got all my user data back. Okay now back to the ENC issue...

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by RickyEM

Great, thanks. Got all my user data back. Okay now back to the ENC issue...

Good, How did you do it? Specifics please.

Are you a "Standard User"?
Now are your "Permissions" problems solved by using the C:\Users\... path in OpenCPN?

An alternative way to access the opencpn data files, which is dependent on your choices when you install the program. Is it available to all users? for example: C:\Users\All Users\opencpn
C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local\opencpn
C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\opencpn

(I am trying to learn something here too.)
...It goes both ways or it does not work.

[RickyEM]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Good, How did you do it? Specifics please.

Are you a "Standard User"?
Now are your "Permissions" problems solved by using the C:\Users\... path in OpenCPN?

An alternative way to access the opencpn data files, which is dependent on your choices when you install the program. Is it available to all users? for example: C:\Users\All Users\opencpn
C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local\opencpn
C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\opencpn

(I am trying to learn something here too.)
...It goes both ways or it does not work.

I am not showing any opencpn directories in my user appdata directories...

I installed version 5 of opencpn, and copied all the contents of my C:\ProgramData\opencpn directory from a backup (except not the files in C:\ProgramData\opencpn\SENC\ ). When I opened opencpn, all my user data appeared in opencpn...

Does this answer your question?

[rgleason]

You did not say if you are a "Standard User" or "Admin"
I think you must be "Admin"


Since you simply copied these directories over, the other paths were not created, (I guess)


I would think you might want to install Opencpn normally, so those paths are created, (using the Windows uninstall program) and then reboot, and install a fresh copy of Opencpn 5.0, check your user directories, and then copy your backup user data over.


...but it is your machine and install, and I hesitate to interfere too much.


Have you fixed the permissions problem now?

I am not showing any opencpn directories in my user appdata directories...

I think this is a problem because it is the pathway for users to the data, with all the proper permissions.

[RickyEM]

I am the admin, I am the only user of the machine...

[rgleason]

OK, thanks. I understand from the other thread that you've gotten things working to your satisfaction.