Zipped files that want to stay that way

[larch]

No doubt I'm being an idiot, but I'm stumped.

I'm trying to install North West England, the archive for which comes in a format I haven't seen before - seems to be about being spanned across several disks - presumeably something that was useful back in the days of floppies I suppose. Quite a while back now.

Anyway; trying to install the thing leads to endless fun with an error message that tells me that 'the same volume cannot be used as both the source and destination.

I'm don't think I'm trying to do that - I've right clicked and told the file to extract itself to a new folder elsewhere (MSTS routes, as usual) and also tried the manual dragging option. Either way it just won't play. I have to admit I'm not sure what a 'volume' is in PC-ese. In plain English it's a book or something to do with sound.

Anyway; does anyone know how to extract these multiple-spanned archives using Vista's inbuilt zip handling? No doubt I'm just being thick.

Simon. Handing the world over to increasingly younger people.

[ianmacmillan]

Anyway; does anyone know how to extract these multiple-spanned archives using Vista's inbuilt zip handling?

No. - It can't be done. Windows zip is too basic.

Search for Spanned Zips and you will find the info you need including free programs to handle them.

[Easilyconfused]

To expand on what Ian said - the Windows inbuilt unzipper is no good for spanned zips. See http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 37&t=66323 for some recommendations of free alternatives or splash the cash and buy Winzip 8.1 or higher.

[larch]

It's very kind of you both to help, but I've tried Winzip 12, Zipgenius 6 and some other prgrammes and always get the same result; the programme can see all the files, I choose a destination folder and click on the extract button, the programme freezes, announces that it is not responding, and then Vista steps in, says it's trying (half heartedly in my opinion) to find a solution to the problem, and then gives up.

I think I've concluded that my PC doesn't want to play with spanned zip files. Is AVG in the frame here? I think I'd better stop bothering people and give up

Simon

[Easilyconfused]

Have you looked at http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewforum.php?f=273 and in particular the threads dealing with permissions ?

[Tonysmedley]

It may well not be the case here, but it often occurs that the files you need to unzip have extra charcters in the name. such as UKTS download numbers Unless these extra characters are deleted from the file name it will probably not unzip.

[Lad491]

Edited later when i found a post which told me how to do it.

This is how you deal with spanned zips (you will need to substitute the file names for the NWE ones as appropriate as I cribbed this from the Fylde Download Route instructions):

Procedure

1. Download all the 5 zip files into a temporary folder. (I think NWE has 9 zips)
2. Rename the UKTS_8157_TSUK_FYLDE.zip to TSUK_FYLDE.zip
3. Unzip UKTS_8159_TSUK_FYLDE2.zip and save TSUK_FYLDE.z01 into same temporary folder
4. Unzip UKTS_8160_TSUK_FYLDE3.zip and save TSUK_FYLDE.z02 into same temporary folder
5. Unzip UKTS_8163_TSUK_FYLDE4.zip and save TSUK_FYLDE.z03 into same temporary folder
6. At this point you should have four files in the temporary folder called:- (You should have 9 zips)
TSUK_FYLDE.zip
TSUK_FYLDE.z01
TSUK_FYLDE.z02
TSUK_FYLDE.z03
7. Now run winzip on TSUK_FYLDE.zip - you can then extract (make sure that "Use Folder Names?" is checked) into your \Train Simulator\Routes folder - a TSUK_FYLDE folder will be created containing all the files from in the above 4 z files
8. Finally find the Installme.bat file in the folder \Train Simulator\Routes\TSUK_FYLDE and run/doubleclick this - this will copy over the files required from the 6 default routes.

Also with Vista, make sure all the files are unblocked (right click properties, bottom right hand side, unblock button. if its there click it. If its not dont worry), and also make sure you have set up permissions on each file as Everyone Full Control.

You can download an evaluation copy of WinZip 12 (I think it is now) which will let you do the above. Then if you like it you can buy it or uninstall it again.

[larch]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I'll give it a go when I'm back from working away, at the weekend.

Thanks again...

Simon

[larch]

I just wanted to say thank you. Your cure worked - permissions and an adequate unzipper. Thanks again.