Introduction: In this tech support article, we'll address an issue encountered by Fire Studio users when OneDrive interferes with its functionality. OneDrive, a cloud storage service integrated into Windows, can automatically sync and redirect the default "Documents" folder to the cloud, which may conflict with Fire Studio's local file operations. If you've experienced errors or problems with Fire Studio while using OneDrive, this guide will help you navigate the issue and find a resolution.
Problem Description: If OneDrive is activated after Fire Studio has been installed, it can lead to complications. OneDrive may redirect or remove your local C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents folder, moving it to a cloud-synced location (e.g., C:\Users\<YourUsername>\OneDrive\Documents).
Fire Studio is designed to create and access a folder at the default local path C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents\FireStudio7 (or FireStudio6 for older versions) to store critical files like fs7ddl.lbl, the master Library file. When this folder is redirected or missing due to OneDrive, Fire Studio cannot write to or read from it, resulting in functionality issues. Currently, there is no manual option to redirect Fire Studio to save its required files to a different location other than the default local C:\Documents\FireStudio directory.Symptoms:Users may encounter the following symptoms:
Inability to save or create simulations.
Multiple "File not found" errors.
Activation failures.
Solution: To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
Check OneDrive Settings:
Open OneDrive settings (right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and select "Settings").
Under the "Account" tab, check if "Documents" is set to sync. If it is, OneDrive may have moved your local Documents folder to the cloud.
Create Local Documents Folder:
If there is no local C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents folder (due to OneDrive redirection), create it manually:
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\.
Right-click, select "New" > "Folder," and name it "Documents."
Ensure this folder is not inside the OneDrive directory (e.g., avoid C:\Users\<YourUsername>\OneDrive\Documents).
Disable OneDrive Sync for Documents (Preventive Measure):
In OneDrive settings, go to the "Sync and backup" tab.
Under "Back up these folders," uncheck "Documents" to stop OneDrive from syncing or redirecting this folder.
This ensures Fire Studio uses the local Documents folder instead of a cloud-synced version.
Run Fire Studio:
Launch Fire Studio. Upon startup, the program will automatically create a FireStudio7 folder within the local Documents directory. This folder will be populated with necessary files, including fs7ddl.lbl, required for the software to function correctly.
Verify Folder Location:
After running Fire Studio, confirm the C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents\FireStudio7 folder exists and contains the fs7ddl.lbl file. Avoid saving custom backgrounds or simulations until this is verified.
Important Note: DO NOT delete the FireStudioX folder located under C:\ProgramFiles\DigitalCombustion, as it serves a different purpose (e.g., program installation files) and should remain untouched. Changes here can cause additional errors.Prevention Tips:
Install Fire Studio Before Activating OneDrive: Set up Fire Studio on a system with a local Documents folder before enabling OneDrive to ensure the program initializes correctly.
Exclude Documents from OneDrive: Permanently disable OneDrive sync for the Documents folder to prevent future redirection (as described in Step 3).
Monitor Updates: Keep Fire Studio updated, as future versions may offer options to customize file save locations.
Conclusion: By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively address the issues caused by OneDrive interference with Fire Studio. Preventing OneDrive from managing the Documents folder is key to avoiding these problems. If you encounter further difficulties or have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our technical support team for assistance.