Yes for me at least it is unusual. I use an ftp client (FireFTP) to copy files from my computer to my web server. I do not know what published or unpublished means.
Does your gallery work if you run it from your c: drive? Double click on your index.html locally. Do you have this file structure:
root
.....your_gallery_#1
.........images
.........thumbs
.........gallery.xml
.........index.html
.........swfobject.js
.........viewer.swf
When you say you delete an existing album and create a new one, what do you mean? What software are you using to "create a new one". Genreally speaking simpleviewer is easier to create if you do it manually IMO.
You need to be very specific when talking about your process and software etc.
Regards
Phil
http://www.phillipnorman.com