topic scratch space, path allocation, and ERROR 010029 in ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Questions

Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

DavidStrip — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:47:30 GMT

I'm trying to create a contours layer from an elevation raster. It fails with a 9999 error, followed by
(esriDataSourcesRaster:GdalDriver") Failed to copy raster dataset
then error 010240 Could not save raster dataset to ...\temp\g_g7634

There is no name conflict in the temp file where it's trying to copy, and there's plenty of disk space.

My raster is 16bit x 23,500 x 19,500, or about 1GB.
Is that too big?

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

SteveLynch — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:19:29 GMT

Which version of ArcGIS?
- If 10, do you have Service Pack 3 installed?
- output going to shapefile or file geodatabase?
- what happens with a larger contour interval?

Thanks
Steve

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

DavidStrip — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:33:03 GMT

License type: ArcView
Version 10, SP3
Saving to file geodatabase
Failure in original message was with 10' contour interval
Retried with 100' interval, success after 15 minutes, 17 seconds.
Tried with 20' interval - ran for a while, showing progress, then failed at 15 minutes with 9999 error msg and no other info - just "Failed to execute (Contour)"

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

SteveLynch — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:55:35 GMT

Could you zip the input DEM and email it to slynch@esri.com ?

or

External users who need to FTP a file to Esri should be instructed to login to ftp://ftp.esri.com/ using the anonymous login and providing their e-mail address as the password if prompted (Note: Most browsers and FTP clients will log in using the anonymous account automatically).

Once connected, the external users should navigate to the pub/incoming folder, create directories as needed and upload their content.

Thanks
Steve

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

WilliamWood — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:36:52 GMT

Same exact issue here.

The folder it's trying to write the GRID to (C:\Windows\System32 :confused:) is read only and requires admin privileges as dictated by user profiles assigned by our IT. I can't find anywhere in the environment settings where I can redirect it to a folder in which I do have permission to write.

Permissions are a recurring issue here (nearly exclusively with ESRI software) and there is no negotiating for increased admin privileges.

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

SteveLynch — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:42:56 GMT

William

What version of ArcGIS are you running?
Please set your current and scratch workspace to a location where you have write access to.
What format is the raster in, fgdb, grid, tif, img or ?
What format are you writing to ? (shapefile, fgbd, ?)

Can you try with grid input and shapefile file output ?

Thanks
Steve

scratch space, path allocation, and ERROR 010029

RandyRandolph — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 08:15:40 GMT

despite defining c:\t as my scratch space in ArcCatalog, I get a message that appears to be a permissions problem for \windows\system32 when running PathAllocation in python script and from toolbox/ArcCatalog

arcpy.PathAllocation_sa("U:/Clusters2006/h99B99p30/h99B99p30_s","C:/t/PathAll_h99B1","U:/Clusters2006/imped_h/g99Bi30pir","#","#","BINARY 1 45","#","BINARY 1 -30 30","#","#","VALUE","#","#")

leading to

Messages
Executing: PathAllocation U:\Clusters2006\h99B99p30\h99B99p30_s C:\t\PathAll_h99B1 U:\Clusters2006\imped_h\g99Bi30pir # # "BINARY 1 45" # "BINARY 1 -30 30" # # VALUE # #
Start Time: Wed May 30 09:26:33 2012
ERROR 010029: Unable to create the raster C:\windows\system32\t_t017. Path Distance mapping is Failed
ERROR 010067: Error in executing grid expression.
Failed to execute (PathAllocation).
Failed at Wed May 30 09:26:34 2012 (Elapsed Time: 1.00 seconds)

if I run the same thing on a machine that doesn't have a locked-down windows directory, it executes correctly

arcpy.PathAllocation_sa("U:/Clusters2006/h99b99p30/h99b99p30_s","C:/t/PathAll_h99b1","U:/Clusters2006/imped_h/g99bi30pir","#","#","BINARY 1 45","#","BINARY 1 -30 30","#","#","VALUE","#","#")

and

Messages
Executing: PathAllocation U:\Clusters2006\h99b99p30\h99b99p30_s C:\t\PathAll_h99b1 U:\Clusters2006\imped_h\g99bi30pir # # "BINARY 1 45" # "BINARY 1 -30 30" # # VALUE # #
Start Time: Wed May 30 09:32:44 2012
Succeeded at Wed May 30 09:35:45 2012 (Elapsed Time: 3 minutes 1 seconds)

This doesn't happen with other spatial analyst items like: KernelDensity, Flow, Sink, and map math functions.

what can I change?

Thank you,
Randy

Re: scratch space, path allocation, and ERROR 010029

RandyRandolph — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:17:31 GMT

OK, I found it: the windows environment/system variable ARCTMPDIR

http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/techarticles/detail/29559

There is a difference between temp space and the scratch workspace ...

Thanks anyway,
Randy

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

GreggHadish — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:43:35 GMT

Same exact issue here.

The folder it's trying to write the GRID to (C:\Windows\System32 :confused:) is read only and requires admin privileges as dictated by user profiles assigned by our IT. I can't find anywhere in the environment settings where I can redirect it to a folder in which I do have permission to write.

Permissions are a recurring issue here (nearly exclusively with ESRI software) and there is no negotiating for increased admin privileges.

William were you able to resolve this issue; I have the same issue where ArcGIS is trying to write to the System32 directory where there is a permissions issue (not writable).
Thanks

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

ClaireInbody — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:37:10 GMT

Same issue for me, but dont think its a system32 folder issue. Its just fails creating the contour data. Anyone get this resolved??

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

TraceyOwens — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:49:17 GMT

I changed my environment settings within the contour tool. I changed the workspace to the database I am currently using; instead of the ArcGIS default gdb.

I am using version 10.0 sp 5. I was running the tool in ArcMap.

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

SteveLynch — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 10:54:49 GMT

Try using a smaller extent or larger interval

How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

Anna-MariaMueller — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:55:01 GMT

I am trying to run IDW interpolation with barriers. The process fails to convert the barrier into a shapefile in the Windows\System32 folder (where I don't have full write permission). First of all I don't understand why it needs to convert the barrier into a shapefile, even when I provide it in the form of a shapefile. But more importantly, I would really like to know how to redirect Spatial Analyst to a different folder. I saw somebody had the same problem years ago. An ESRI person suggested to set the current and scratch workspace to some other folder. That does not resolve the isse. It is STILL trying to write to the system32 folder.
In the old thread the problem never seemed have been resolved. So I am starting a new one.
I would really appreciate getting this resolved.

Anna-Maria Mueller

Re: How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

curtvprice — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:07:41 GMT

I am trying to run IDW interpolation with barriers. The process fails to convert the barrier into a shapefile in the Windows\System32 folder (where I don't have full write permission).

Have you tried either setting ARCTMPDIR to a writeable location, or starting ArcMap in a folder you have write access to? This has been an issue with topological processing in ArcGIS and the IDW barriers functionality may use some of that code.

KB 29559 - Problem: Certain geoprocessing tools will not execute or work unless the user is an administrator

(By the way, setting the current and scratch workspace to the same location [preferably a folder workspace] is best practice for heavy raster processing, so even if it didn't help you this time, it's a good idea anyway.)

Re: How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

Anna-MariaMueller — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:10:28 GMT

Thanks for the note. Yes, it did have to do with to do with administrative permissions.
When I run ArcGIS as Administrator it is ok. What I didn't know is that in Windows 7 there is a difference between "Run as Administrator" and just running a program under a user account that is a member of the Administrator group. That's an awfully subtle but important distinction.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/difference-between-run-as-administrator-and/58e7ed23-a704-4f4d-b59e-4dd29d442ff1

and links therein

I also found out that instead of always having to right-click on the ArcMap shortcut to access the "Run as administrator" one can go to "Properties" (also accessed through right-click) then go to the "Compatibility" tab and check "Run this program as administrator". Then it will always run with full administrator privileges. Looks like that solved the problem.

AM

Re: How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

curtvprice — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:52:21 GMT

Thanks for the note. Yes, it did have to do with to do with administrative permissions.
When I run ArcGIS as Administrator it is ok.

Anna/Donald:

That's because as administrator you do can write garbage to the aformentioned system32 folder. Not that you really want to,and not that you want to be logged in as administrator while doing your work (this is extremely hazardous to your computer's security). You should only use admin accounts while installing software or making system tweaks, and DEFINITELY not when not browsing the web or reading email.

It's a much better fix to set the environment variable ARCTMPDIR to a writeable location (best practice- a local disk drive).

Re: How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

Anna-MariaMueller — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:40:48 GMT

Anna/Donald:

It's a much better fix to set the environment variable ARCTMPDIR to a writeable location (best practice- a local disk drive).

Well, that makes good sense. My problem is I am new to ArcGIS and don't know how to set ARCTMPDIR. Could you point me to some step-by-step instructions.

I do appreciate your help. Thanks!

AM

Re: How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

curtvprice — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:20:53 GMT

Well, that makes good sense. My problem is I am new to ArcGIS and don't know how to set ARCTMPDIR.

This is covered in the KB article I referenced above, under a link labeled "show me".

The easiest way to get to user environment variables in Win 7 is to enter "env" in the search box on the start menu.

Re: How to keep Spatial Analyst from trying to write to system32 folder

Anna-MariaMueller — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:15:47 GMT

This is covered in the KB article I referenced above, under a link labeled "show me".

The easiest way to get to user environment variables in Win 7 is to enter "env" in the search box on the start menu.

Ah! Thank you! Now I see. I think the first time around I ended up in the wrong KB article. For some reason the link didn't take me all the way to 29559. But I got it now. I appreciate it.

Re: Error creating contour - failed to copy raster dataset

curtvprice — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 22:30:53 GMT

I just ran into this issue with ArcGIS 10.2.2 ArcCatalog.

I'm running a script tool that runs CreateConstantRaster and I get exactly the same GDAL error.

(esriDataSourcesRaster:GdalDriver") Failed to copy raster dataset

then error 010240 Could not save raster dataset to C:\system32\temp\g_g7634

The tool runs fine from ArcMap.

Setting ARCTMPDIR to a writeable folder before launching ArcCatalog solved my problem.