Export function not writing in tGB 1.5.1

I am trying to write out to a prefs file but it seems all directories are write protected I have tried many variations and all give same error message:

Unable to open file 'C:/Documents and Settings/schatman.GOLDENDOODLE/Application Data/Independent/SmashEmoticons/game_vars.cs for writing.


export("$game_vars::*", "game_vars.cs");

I have played with getUserDataDirectory();
I have played with getPrefsPath();
I have rolled my own version

function getWriteablePath()
{
   %modpath = findfirstfile("*/game/main.cs");
   if(isFile(%modpath))
   $mymodpath = filePath(%modpath);
   else
   {
      %modpath = findFirstFile("*/game/main.cs.dso");
      $mymodpath= filePath(%modpath);
   }

   return $mymodpath;

}
$PREFS_PATH = getWriteablePath() @ "/prefs/game_vars.cs";

My question how are we suppose to write out our game prefs files. How do we find a writable driectory.