How to change the temporary files folder used by ProteinLynx Global Server (PLGS) 3.0.3 - WKB3874

OBJECTIVE or GOAL

Change the location of the temporary files folder used by ProteinLynx Global Server (PLGS) 3.0.3, in order to avoid filling up the system drive (C:\) with temporary files.

ENVIRONMENT

• PLGS 3.0.3
• Windows 7, 64 Bit, Professional Edition
• Windows 10 Enterprise, 2016 Long Term Service Build (LTSB 1607)

PROCEDURE

1. Log in with an administrator account with full admin privileges.
2. Close ALL programs, including PLGS, and terminate relevant processes.
3. Create a System Restore point.
4. Open the Start Menu.
5. Search for "Environment Variables".
6. Click on "Edit Environment Variables for your Account".
7. Create a folder named "Temp" where you want the new folder to be located (if you haven't already done so).
   • For PLGS processing PCs, the root of the data drive (D:\) is a good place for the new temp folder.
8. Click on "Temp" variable and click "Edit...".
9. Specofy the new Variable Value (the location of your new folder; for example, "D:\Temp") and click OK.
10. Select "TMP" variable and change its value to the same folder.
11. Click OK and restart your computer.
12. Verify that the change is correctly applied. Open the Start Menu and type "%Temp%" without the quotation marks.
13. Open the "Temp" folder that results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• If simply changing the options mentioned above do not work (though they should), try also changing System Variables, by scrolling down in "System Variables" to TMP and TEMP.
• You can also open "Environment Variables" by going to System Properties (right-click "My Computer"), clicking "Advanced System Settings", and clicking "Environment Variables".
• Always create a restore point. You will regret it if you don't. If after restart for some reason you can't log in or receive an error about "Interactive logon process failure", your restore point is your only hope.
• Do not attempt to install anything after the change without restarting.
• It's best to close ALL programs and terminate relevant processes BEFORE this change.

This article is based on information gleaned from this website, which has screenshots of the various steps: http://goo.gl/4arnbH

In earlier versions of PLGS, there was a setting in the ProteinLynx Global Server preferences file (e.g., C:\PLGS3.0.2\bin\ProteinLynx Global Server.ini) to specify the location of the PLGS temporary files folder. This was removed from PLGS 3.0.3 because it didn't work.