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Previous versions

Version 3.2 improved the way it handles changes not induced by the program itself, but for instance by copying files to a directory currently inspected using TreeComp. Monitoring threads "watch" the trees for changes and will eventually incorporate the changes. If you encounter problems with this feature there is still the possibility of switching it off using Options | Monitoring Thread.

Version 3.3 allowed for opening files using its associated program by using the context menu. Furthermore, backups of files that are older can be stored in a new directory with a name based on the current day.

Version 3.4 introduced a build-in FTP client, so since then it is ideal for updating your home page at your Internet Service Provider. The selection of directories to compare is facilitated by using a new software component that resembles the left pane window of Windows Explorer. A help file is released since this version. If you have a question unanswered by the help file, feel free to drop a line!

Version 3.5 was the first version distributed as FREEWARE! Various bugs were solved. Version 3.5 solved a problem comparing files on a remote server under Windows 95/98.

Version 3.6, introduced an option for multithreaded comparison. This allows for very fast comparisons: comparing 2 directory trees with 121.000 files having a total size of approximately 13 GB divided over 2.040 directories, took less than 11 minutes!

Since version 3.6, different ways of comparing both trees are present. Comparisons now can be done based on any combination of timestamp, content and attributes. This behavior can be controlled using command line parameters.

The last major improvement of TreeComp 3.6 is its ability to synchronize a complete branch from the left hand side to the right hand side, using the context menu of the treeview and selecting "Advanced" | "Synchronize left to right" or the other way around.

Version 3.7 added stable multi-threading and support for ZIP files. FTP support is now based on WinInet FTP APIs. This should allow for handling a wider variety of FTP servers. The user interface for selecting the way the comparison should be performed is now highly flexible. Another new feature allows for displaying recent files only.

Version 3.8 added support for profiles to store frequently used pairs of directories and support for the popular RAR file format.

TreeComp 3.10 contained a minor fix related to sorting of Norwegian file names, where Aa follows Z. Furthermore, special characters are now correctly stored in the snapshot (.TCS) file. It also added support for profiles to store frequently used pairs of directories, ZIP and RAR files.

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Known issues

• TreeComp seems to be somewhat unstable on Windows 2000 (Win2k) platforms. I've been informed that reapplying service pack 2 (SP2) possibly solves this. If you have any additional information, please let know!
• Watching a directory on a Novell server crashes TreeComp. In this case, switch the monitoring thread off using "Options" | "Monitoring Thread". It turns out that FindFirstChangeNotification and ReadDirectoryChangesW are not supported on Novell servers, while this is not documented.
• When contacting an FTP server the message "Could not connect to ftp server <server>. Probably the password is incorrect " appears, while the entered password actually is OK. The problem is that TreeComp decodes passwords containing "%xx" incorrectly. The bug will be fixed in TreeComp 3.8, but currently the only workaround is to re-enter the password in the "File | Select Directories" dialog.
• A directory watched by one of the above mentioned threads can not be deleted outside TreeComp. This problem is very hard to solve.
• Windiff reports "<filename>" not found. The solution is to install Windiff version 4, size 147,680 bytes, or higher.
• Version 3.5 reports "MachineIsNTServer(): Unsupported for non-NT platform." This problem only occurs on Windows 95/98 machines. The solution is to switch off the monitoring thread using Options | Monitoring Thread, or start using TreeComp 3.6.

• Using Version 3.5 it is not possible to select a drive (i.e. C:\) to compare. Symptons are: "Directory C:\ not found", while C: (or any other drive like A:, G:) in fact does exist. Then the program reports "Cannot focus a disabled or invisible window". TreeComp 3.6 fixed this problem.

  If one wants to continue using version 3.5 use TreeComp's command line interface. Open a command prompt and then type "<path to TreeComp>\TreeComp.exe C: G:". By default, the path to TreeComp is "C:\Program Files\TreeComp". In that case type at the command prompt: '"C:\Program Files\TreeComp\TreeComp.exe" C: G:', without the single quotes but with the double quotes.

• The application might not show its window under certain conditions. This is due to the fact that the window position sometimes is not correctly saved to the registry. To fix this problem close the application by right clicking on the TreeComp taskbar button and select 'Close'. Open regedit by selecting Start | Run..., then type regedit and press OK. Be very careful now, because you can screw up your whole system if the wrong registry branch is removed!! Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Quirt\TreeComp\WindowPos, then press delete to delete the WindowPos key. Now restart TreeComp. If the problem persists, send an e-mail to the
• TreeComp's appearance might not be as expected. Symptoms are icons not showing up or problems with the display of the list view. The problems occur on a platform with no IE 4 or later installed. TreeComp requires that comctl32.dll has a version number 4.72 or later. This version of comctl32.dll is shipped with IE 4.01 or later. The problem can be solved in 2 ways. The first option is to update the DLL by installing IE 4.01 or 5. Easier than updating to IE4.01 or later is just run the comctl update that can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/ieplatform/ie/comctrlx86.asp

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Screen shot

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Download

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GuestBook/Suggestions

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Freeware note

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Part of the source

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TreeComp on the Web

• dmoz Open Directory Project
• "ein mächtiges Synchronisations-Tool" (c't 3/2001, page 129)
  • Read the relevant article
• Windows magazine rated TreeComp as January 1999 Top Ten Shareware!
• ZDNet's review
• Download.com
• TUCOWS
• Crow's nest
• TreeComp's icon listed in the Iconolog

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About the author

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