How do I manually create/edit a preferences file.

[Geert Janssens]

On zondag 26 juni 2011, Graham wrote:
> Hello,
> I am running GNUCash v2.4.6 on WindowsXP/Pro-SP3. I am having the problem
> that GNUCash can not save my preferences so I am looking for a way to
> manually create or edit a file but can not fnd a comprehensive list/guide.
> 
> The preferences in question are the ones found in "Edit > Preferences" and
> also the startup prefs (i.e. Disable Tip of the Day, don't ask to start a
> new set of books, open the previous set of books, etc).
> 
> I tracked the problem down to my Windows username, which is "Graham(User)".
> The parentheses cause GNUCash to not always be able to read/write the files
> in my home directory. Changing the Windows username does not change the
> home directory name. Creating a new user just for GNUCash did not solve
> the problem but wouldn't really be a satisfactory solution anyway.
> 
> GNUCash was able to create files/folders in the home directory during
> install. I'm hoping the problem only involves certain aspects of the saving
> prefs process and that by manually creating/editing the files, GNUCash will
> be able to read them.
> 
> GNUCash has created:
> Folders:
> %home%\.gconfd
> %home%\.gnome2\accels
> %home%\.gnome2_private
> %home%\.gnucash\books
> %home%\.gnucash\checks
> %home%\.gnucash\translog
> 
> Files:
> %home%\.gconfd\saved_state
> %home%\.gnucash\accelerator-map
> %home%\.gnucash\expressions-2.0
> %home%\.gnucash\stylesheets-2.0
> %home%\.gnucash\books\2011_06 (June).gnucash.gcm
> 
> That last file, 2011_06 (June), is the name of my set of accounts which was
> accessed (File > Open) after the program was up and running, so it seems
> GNUCash can access the home directory, which gives me hope. Windows
> permissions have been reset to give the "Everyone" group "Full Control". My
> computer is not on a domain.
> 
> My first guess is that the settings would be in the
> %home%\.gconfd\saved_state file, but the file only contains 5 lines
> regarding directory pointer info as far as I can tell. I looked in the rest
> of the files but didnt see any relevant info.
> 
> Are the preferences supposed to be stored in the
> "%home%\.gconfd\saved_state" file or is there another file which was never
> created? Can someone point me to what a full preferences file should
> contain (either an actual file or a reference guide) so I can make one
> myself?
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help.
> 
Hi Graham,

I doubt you will be able to manually create the preferences file. The 
preferences that are not saved properly on your system are stored via gconf. 
This is a local client/server system used by GnuCash and should be used only 
like this.

I have hit issues with gconf on Windows before and pretty sure if it can't 
write your preferences it can't read them either.

Instead you should figure out why the gconf communication fails (assuming that 
is the cause of your problem).

You tried another user and it still didn't work you said ? Did the path to the 
home directory for that user also contain the () ?

Geert