Python scripts using the win32com client module only run once from within PythonWin or IDLE at ArcGIS 9.2

Description

** This bug has been fixed at ArcGIS 9.2 Service Pack 2. Download ArcGIS 9.2 Service Pack 2 from the link in the Related Information section below. **As long as Python is installed properly and the Windows file associations are set properly, there should be no problems running win32com scripts from within ArcToolBox. There is, however, a known bug that causes win32com scripts to work only once from PythonWin.

Cause

This is a known issue with version 9.2 final and 9.2 Service Pack 1. This issue has been resolved at 9.2 SP2.

Workaround

• Delete the geoprocessor at the end of the script. For example, see the following simple Python script:
  
  

  Code:
  # Import system modules
  import sys, string, os, win32com.client
  
  # Create the Geoprocessor object
  gp = win32com.client.Dispatch("esriGeoprocessing.GpDispatch.1")
  
  gp.overwriteoutput = 1
  
  # Load required toolboxes...
  gp.AddToolbox("C:/Program Files/ArcGIS/ArcToolbox/Toolboxes/Analysis Tools.tbx")
  
  # Local variables...
  cities_Buffer1_shp = "C:\\ESRI\\ESRIDATA\\CANADA\\cities_Buffer1.shp"
  cities_shp = "C:\\ESRI\\ESRIDATA\\CANADA\\cities.shp"
  
  # Process: Buffer...
  gp.Buffer_analysis(cities_shp, cities_Buffer1_shp, "1 DecimalDegrees", 
                     "FULL", "ROUND", "NONE", "")
  
  print "done"
  

  
  Add the following line to the end of the script:
  
  

  Code:
  del gp

  
  Do this for all scripts that use the win32com client to be edited or run from PythonWin or IDLE.
• Convert the script to use the new arcgisscripting module available at 9.2. It does not need to delete the gp object after the execution of each Python script. This is a better workaround because performance is improved when the gp is reused. For example, this is the the above script converted to use the arcgisscripting module:
  
  

  Code:
  # Import system modules
  import sys, string, os, arcgisscripting
  
  # Create the Geoprocessor object
  gp = arcgisscripting.create()
  
  gp.overwriteoutput = 1
  
  # Load required toolboxes...
  gp.AddToolbox("C:/Program Files/ArcGIS/ArcToolbox/Toolboxes/Analysis Tools.tbx")
  
  # Local variables...
  cities_Buffer1_shp = "C:\\ESRI\\ESRIDATA\\CANADA\\cities_Buffer1.shp"
  cities_shp = "C:\\ESRI\\ESRIDATA\\CANADA\\cities.shp"
  
  # Process: Buffer...
  gp.Buffer_analysis(cities_shp, cities_Buffer1_shp, "1 DecimalDegrees", 
                     "FULL", "ROUND", "NONE", "")
  
  print "done"