I'm using R'n'D Jue II and I'm in "Classic Level Sets" and, under that, "Exception Two," and I'm on level 34. I'm not sure of the program version or how to check on that.
Usually, you can just check the version number on the "info screen", but unfortunately, Jürgen has replaced the info screen with his own version, so it cannot be accessed. But you should be able to easily see the version number in the propgram title bar when in windowed mode.
The latest version is version 1.2.0 that can also be downloaded from the artsoft.org website.
Note the arrow control for the balloons right below me. I've pressed against it with no results - even tried multiple times. I've done all I can do on the level at this point, but the arrow block just doesn't work. (It's worked in other levels of this set.)
I have just checked this (with the same level set "Exception Two" and the same level 34), and it works as expected (pressing "cursor key down", which lets the balloons move to the right). That's strange!
I even ran the solution to figure out what was wrong, in case I missed something. The solution presses the button, and continues, but the actions are erratic after that and the guy eventually just runs into the vat of acid the row of balloons should go into when I use the arrow to move them to the right. That makes me think something is just messed up and somehow it's not working. I know these levels are uneditable, so I don't know what to do to make it work.
That's even more strange -- for me, the solution works without problems, and plays just fine until the level is solved!
I would recommend downloading version 1.2.0 and triy playing the solution tape again -- you ca find that version here:
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https://www.artsoft.org/rnd_jue/#rnd_jue_ii
I tried another level and have the same issue. I also ran into more issues. I started R'n'D Jue II again this evening and it started like it had never been run and all the saved tapes are gone.
That means that your personal game data directory has vanished -- if R'n'D cannot find it, it starts with all defaults (and creates a new personal game data directory).
I would highly recommend checking your computer for malware, and then (if it is clean) restore the directory "Documents/R'n'D Jue II" from your last backup!
I use SyncThing to sync a lot of data between my two Macs, and I have been syncing data between my study computer and my workshop computer this way for a good while. That's included data for a few games, including R'n'D Jue II. I haven't had issues with the synced data in the past, but I'm bringing that up for completeness.
Maybe it has removed the mentioned directory due to some malfunction?
I restored the save/settings folder from a backup from earlier today, from before playing it earlier today and everything working. It did load to the correct level set and level, but the tapes were still missing. At this point, though, the keyboard shortcuts were restored.
OK, this sounds like at least your settings were successfully restored from the backup. Could you please check your backup if it also contains the directory "Documents/R'n'D Jue II/tapes", and if that directory contains your missing tapes?
Then I downloaded the latest version (1.2.0) and installed it over my current install and it didn't change anything.
Did you use the above URL? Version 1.2.0 is definitely the correct, latest version! Maybe you should try renaming the old version, so the newly installed version is 100 % the same as a newly installed one (although I do not expect problems from some potential leftover files). Please check especially if the solution tape for the level mentioned above works now!
1 - Where are the tapes for our moves on a level stored? Since I restored the R'n'D Jue II folder and all the subfolders, I would think that should restore the tapes.
See above! The solution tapes are part of the game package, while your personal (self-recorded) tapes go into your personal directory under "Documents/R'n'D Jue II/tapes".
2 - If I can restore the level tapes and my settings, what about wiping out the program and the data folders (not the stored/saved versions), re-installing it, then copying saved "safety" folders to where the game looks for them so I could restore functionality (like the balloon arrow controls) and the tapes?
Reinstalling the program should do it, as this does not touch your personal settings, levels and tapes (that you have created by yourself). But you may have to restore those personal settings, levels and tapes from your backup if they have been removed from your computer for whatever reason.
If you still have such strange behavior, I would recommend to check with a second computer: Cleanly install the game from scratch from the above URL and check if the solution tape works. Also check if the balloon arrow controly work as expected now (you can quickly check this in the level editor by setting the player above a balloon switch and test the modified level directly in the level editor).
Please let me know if you were able to sort out these problems! If you should still have problems, I will be happy to help!