Certain files in the system32 directory are not listed

[Dave Korn]

On 07 June 2007 17:55, John Cooper wrote:

> Dave Korn wrote:
> 
>>> (could that fact that I'm using x64 be contributing to the problem?)
>>   Unlikely to be related.
> 
> It turns out that x64 is indeed causing the discrepancy.
> From http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/06/05/x64/default.aspx :
> 
> "File activity from a Win32 process that would normally go to the
> System32 directory instead goes to a directory named SysWow64."

  Argh.  I guess we have to extend the old joke: these days, Windows is a
64-bit file-system redirection on top of a 32-bit patch to a 16-bit shell for
an 8-bit operating system written for a 4-bit processor by a two-bit company
without one bit of sense!

> Perhaps something similar should be added to cygwin, as otherwise it's
> impossible to access any files in the "real" system32 directory.

  Conceivably we could insert a call to 

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/fileio/fs/wow
64disablewow64fsredirection.asp

but who knows what it might break?  We'd have to do a lot of testing first.

> Incidentally, would cygwin be able to exec such 64-bit programs?

  Well, if calling CreateProcess works on them the same as it does for 32-bit
programs, it /ought/ to work, but GOK what M$ might or might not have done
behind the scenes to sabotage us.  For example, cygwin won't be able to exec a
64-bit program if the O/S fakes us out that the .exe isn't even visible ...


    cheers,
      DaveK
-- 
Can't think of a witty .sigline today....


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