Overwriting a .HDF with the same name

ransom1122 · 14 November 2018, 00:06

Hi Toni.

When I create a HDF with the same filename as one on my hard disk it says do you want to replace it? When I choose yes I get a creation Error Failed to create hard disk image file..

Is it possible to overwrite a hdf with a new hdf or not?

DamienD · 14 November 2018, 00:15

I assume that you are trying to do this in the same session and the "old" .HDF is locked, so to speak, as that's what has been originally added?

That's normal.

ransom1122 · 14 November 2018, 00:25

Correct. So we cannot overwrite a HDF in the "locked" state it is in even although I get a prompt asking me to overwrite?

DamienD · 14 November 2018, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransom1122

Correct. So we cannot overwrite a HDF in the "locked" state it is in even although I get a prompt asking me to overwrite?

Not that I'm aware of as it's in currently in use / locked... just remove the old .HDF from the "CD & Hard drives" section, reset, press <F12> and create again using the same name

ransom1122 · 14 November 2018, 00:33

Need to quit winuae to unlock, delete, then restart winuae to achieve this, it's a fairly annoying process.. If you could overwrite would save so much time..

DamienD · 14 November 2018, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransom1122

Need to quit winuae to unlock, delete, then restart winuae to achieve this, it's a fairly annoying process..

...and takes what; 30 seconds maximum?

Anyway, you could just do the following instead:

Say the .HDF is originally named "System.hdf".
You're doing what you need to do, then realise you've make a mistake and want to start again.
Create a new .HDF named "System1.hdf".
Finish everything as desired and quit WinUAE.
Now delete "System.hdf" and finally rename "System1.hdf" --> "System.hdf".

This way you didn't need to end WinUAE at all

AMIGASYSTEM · 14 November 2018, 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransom1122

Need to quit winuae to unlock, delete, then restart winuae to achieve this, it's a fairly annoying process.. If you could overwrite would save so much time..

There is a remedy, even if drastic but not dangerous (done hundreds of times), I use it when I have to delete or overwrite one or more files. In practice, just install on Windows Unlocker or IObit Unlocker (more updated). Once this is done, just right click on one or more files and choose unlock (you can also rename or delete).

ransom1122 · 14 November 2018, 07:13

@DamienD Yes I follow those steps, but pretty much rename the HDF to Gamename (1) as I cannot use Gamename, then Delete, Rename. But yes it does take time.

I have 5,734 HDF's x 30 Seconds > 172,020 Seconds compared to Zero seconds if Replace was implemented

@AMIGASYSTEM Yes IObit unblocker works perfect. It unlocked the HDF while it was still active in winuae, and I was able to replace the HDF with same filename by Overwriting.

@Toni Is it as all possible to add a simple script to UNLOCK & DELETE when REPLACING?

thomas · 14 November 2018, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransom1122

Need to quit winuae to unlock, delete, then restart winuae to achieve this, it's a fairly annoying process..

No need for this. Just click on Restart and it will be unlocked.

Or quit and restart WinUAE, load the config and overwrite the HDF *before* you start emulation. It's only locked while emulation is running.

DamienD · 14 November 2018, 09:19

Updated the thread title to something more appropriate: "Create a HDF" --> "Overwriting a .HDF with the same name"

DamienD · 14 November 2018, 09:49

Hmmm, I have a vague memory of you asking this previously ransom1122...

Ah yes; Creating HDF over an existing HDF with same filename.

ransom1122 · 14 November 2018, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamienD

Hmmm, I have a vague memory of you asking this previously ransom1122...

Ah yes; Creating HDF over an existing HDF with same filename.

I swear I had Deja Vu when adding this issue. Obviously nothing was done about it, lets see if it's within Toni's reach to address?

DamienD · 14 November 2018, 10:33

Thing is; it's not really a WinUAE issue but a normal OS feature to stop corruption of data.

Files get locked when they are in use... as AMIGASYSTEM has provided, there are external tools to get around this though.

ransom1122 · 14 November 2018, 11:51

The purpose of the thread was is it possible?

Why should I use an external tool if it is possible to do?

Tomislav · 14 November 2018, 14:21

When emulation is stopped with F12, emulation is not finished, it is calculated as running and anything in use by emulation is still locked. You need to end emulation which finally unlocks file.

Only two ways are to unlock it. First is to quit WinUAE. Second is to press "Restart" button that is near "Reset" and "Quit" buttons which shows only when emulation is still running.

Only exceptions are floppy, CD and tape for which you need to press "Eject" button and then "OK" to continue emulation. Those 2 main steps unlocks floppy, CD or tape image file.

It is logically that program needs to close handling of file that you can do other things like deleting or renaming of that file.

AMIGASYSTEM · 14 November 2018, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomislav

When emulation is stopped with F12, emulation is not finished, it is calculated as running and anything in use by emulation is still locked. To unlock you need to end emulation which finally unlocks file.

Only two ways are to unlock it. First is to quit WinUAE. Second is to press "Restart" button that is near "Reset" and "Quit" buttons that shows only when emulation is still running.

It is logically that program needs to close handling of file that you can do other things like deleting or renaming of that file.

What you say is normal, the problem is another, the "Reset" still does not solve the files remain in use anyway, you must exit WinUAE

If you, for example, consult dozens of archives, or files of any types, these can not be deleted if WinUAE is not closed, the only clean way to solve "Unlocker" mentioned above

Toni Wilen · 14 November 2018, 15:30

HDF is always "in use", they are only released (file handle closed) during reset but HD controller emulation opens it again almost immediately (to get size, partition table etc). It is also by design write locked because any external write would corrupt the filesystem because part of data is always cached by HD controller driver and/or filesystem. (which is also the reason why statefiles can't work with read-write HDFs)

"Restart" is the only supported way to release/free HDFs. (and it is a bug if it isn't released after restart)

I guess with "1 second boot delay" enabled, it should be possible to keep HDFs unlocked until delay ends but HDFs really aren't designed for on the fly swapping.

AMIGASYSTEM · 14 November 2018, 15:41

Yes Toni, the Hardfiles after i "Reset" they are free to be renamed, deleted, etc. I referred to all the files dragged on the Worbench (archives, data files, sound, images, etc.)

thomas · 14 November 2018, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMIGASYSTEM

What you say is normal, the problem is another, the "Reset" still does not solve the files remain in use anyway, you must exit WinUAE

You should read more carefully. Nobody said that "Reset" will free the HDF. We are talking about "Restart" which is a different button.

Foebane · 14 November 2018, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

You should read more carefully. Nobody said that "Reset" will free the HDF. We are talking about "Restart" which is a different button.

Yes, "Reset" is the Amiga reset, as in Ctrl+LAmiga+RAmiga, and in WinUAE also achieved with (RAlt+)RCtrl+Insert+Home.

"Restart" is to close the current running WinUAE emulation and get ready to run a new config: that's why the emulation window disappears. Then, you should be able to do the task you want, before selecting a config and thus restarting emulation.

As for the HDF file, in my case I usually use different copies of the same HDF but with different contents, so I never need to change the config.

14 November 2018, 00:06	#1
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,813	Overwriting a .HDF with the same name Hi Toni. When I create a HDF with the same filename as one on my hard disk it says do you want to replace it? When I choose yes I get a creation Error Failed to create hard disk image file.. Is it possible to overwrite a hdf with a new hdf or not?

14 November 2018, 14:21	#15
Tomislav Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Zagreb / Croatia Posts: 302	When emulation is stopped with F12, emulation is not finished, it is calculated as running and anything in use by emulation is still locked. You need to end emulation which finally unlocks file. Only two ways are to unlock it. First is to quit WinUAE. Second is to press "Restart" button that is near "Reset" and "Quit" buttons which shows only when emulation is still running. Only exceptions are floppy, CD and tape for which you need to press "Eject" button and then "OK" to continue emulation. Those 2 main steps unlocks floppy, CD or tape image file. It is logically that program needs to close handling of file that you can do other things like deleting or renaming of that file. Last edited by Tomislav; 14 November 2018 at 14:34.

14 November 2018, 15:41	#18
AMIGASYSTEM Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Brindisi (Italy) Age: 70 Posts: 8,248	Yes Toni, the Hardfiles after i "Reset" they are free to be renamed, deleted, etc. I referred to all the files dragged on the Worbench (archives, data files, sound, images, etc.) Last edited by AMIGASYSTEM; 14 November 2018 at 15:46.

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14 November 2018, 00:15	#2
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	I assume that you are trying to do this in the same session and the "old" .HDF is locked, so to speak, as that's what has been originally added? That's normal.

14 November 2018, 00:25	#3
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,813	Correct. So we cannot overwrite a HDF in the "locked" state it is in even although I get a prompt asking me to overwrite?

14 November 2018, 00:33	#5
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,813	Need to quit winuae to unlock, delete, then restart winuae to achieve this, it's a fairly annoying process.. If you could overwrite would save so much time..

14 November 2018, 07:13	#8
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,813	@DamienD Yes I follow those steps, but pretty much rename the HDF to Gamename (1) as I cannot use Gamename, then Delete, Rename. But yes it does take time. I have 5,734 HDF's x 30 Seconds > 172,020 Seconds compared to Zero seconds if Replace was implemented @AMIGASYSTEM Yes IObit unblocker works perfect. It unlocked the HDF while it was still active in winuae, and I was able to replace the HDF with same filename by Overwriting. @Toni Is it as all possible to add a simple script to UNLOCK & DELETE when REPLACING?

14 November 2018, 09:19	#10
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	Updated the thread title to something more appropriate: "Create a HDF" --> "Overwriting a .HDF with the same name"

14 November 2018, 09:49	#11
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	Hmmm, I have a vague memory of you asking this previously ransom1122... Ah yes; Creating HDF over an existing HDF with same filename.

14 November 2018, 10:33	#13
DamienD Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London / Sydney Age: 47 Posts: 20,420	Thing is; it's not really a WinUAE issue but a normal OS feature to stop corruption of data. Files get locked when they are in use... as AMIGASYSTEM has provided, there are external tools to get around this though.

14 November 2018, 11:51	#14
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,813	The purpose of the thread was is it possible? Why should I use an external tool if it is possible to do?

14 November 2018, 15:30	#17
Toni Wilen WinUAE developer Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Hämeenlinna/Finland Age: 49 Posts: 26,505	HDF is always "in use", they are only released (file handle closed) during reset but HD controller emulation opens it again almost immediately (to get size, partition table etc). It is also by design write locked because any external write would corrupt the filesystem because part of data is always cached by HD controller driver and/or filesystem. (which is also the reason why statefiles can't work with read-write HDFs) "Restart" is the only supported way to release/free HDFs. (and it is a bug if it isn't released after restart) I guess with "1 second boot delay" enabled, it should be possible to keep HDFs unlocked until delay ends but HDFs really aren't designed for on the fly swapping.

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