FAQ: Duplicate GUIDs (Globally Unique Identifiers)

Question:       When I try to add a new application, I get a message dialog telling me that a duplicate GUID exists. What is a GUID, and why do I get this message?

 

A:        A GUID or "Globally Unique Identifier" is a unique alphanumeric string that VTS assigns to each new application you create. In the event that you have two different version of the same application on your workstation, VTS will notify you that it has detected two applications sharing the same GUID. (These two applications may, or may not have the same title and/or application directory name; however, if their GUIDs are the same, it is indicative that one of the two applications is a revised copy of the other.) As indicated by the dialogs, duplicate GUIDs may cause errors in remote applications; therefore, the GUID for the offending application must be reassigned.

The GUID for each application is identified in the application's GDI.wif file. Each application has its own GDI.wif file that is used by VTS to identify a directory on your hard drive as being an application directory (see .wif Files for further information).

In the event that an application with a duplicate GUID has been added to the VAM, the procedure is to force VTS to assign a new GUID for one of the two applications; typically the second application that has been added. The steps below will help guide you through this process.

The VAM should be open and displaying the names of the two applications whose GUIDs are the same.

1.   Using the Windows Explorer (or the file management utility of your choice), open the VTS product directory.

2.   Navigate to the application directory for the second of the two applications that has a duplicate GUID. (This will be the application you just added to the VAM.)

3.   Open the application directory.

4.   Navigate to the GDI.wif file in the application's directory.

5.   Use the text editor of your choice to open the GDI.wif file. The information within it should appear similar to the information shown below.

My Application

VTS\

bd6458c8-29e9-11d5-b3b7-00104bc92dae

System

fileDSN=^VAccess.DSN;DBQ=^APoints.MDB

The third line of the GDI.wif file is the Globally Unique Identifier or GUID.

6.   Delete the GUID (the third line of the GDI.wif file). The GDI.wif file should now appear similar to the example below.

My Application

VTS\

System

fileDSN=^VAccess.DSN;DBQ=^APoints.MDB

7.   Save the GDI.wif file.

8.   Close the GDI.wif file.

9.   Return to the VAM.

10. Click the Compile button. The Compile dialog opens as shown below.

11. Click the OK button. The application compiles. VTS notes the absence of a GUID in the GDI.wif file and assigns a new one.

12. Click the Run button. The application now runs without error.