Also the user settings should not be stored in the programs folder. It will not be able to save the settings running as regular user under Win 7 (you must run as admin to make modifications to the folder).
UIh....what? First time I have ever heard of this problem.
For apps in PROGRAM FILES or other WinOS dependent directories, this is a problem (ish) with work arounds. For user generated directories, this problem should not exist unless something got borked.
Could it be possible to "clean" textures? If the texture isn't actually used, but it's included on the material list, ignore it so it won't get loaded. Probably leave the material slot empty or shift everything down one. Include the "-normal", "-heigh" "-shine", "-glow" maps in this. No need to have them on the texture list.
The problem with shifting texture slots up or down, is that it would require a pointer rebuild. Which, being as it is internal to PCS, might be accomplished. But with the current mediavp's, we did run in to a problem (I think when removing the

modeled thrusters) that texture slot shifts did not carry over as it was, which led to bad mapping problems or just some textures listed but not displaying on the model.
If this is something that _should_ already be possible, a step course on how to achieve it properly would be appreciated.