FreeStyler crashes when try to add a new fixture Topic is solved

[jonny b good]

I assume you need to send a bug report to Raph.

[LJ_krede.dk]

it sounds weird... its like when the programs trying to read the fixture files they crash... have you tried to install FS in another location of the computer? could it be the hard drive which is damaged or something?

[Bobby D]

I'm having the same problem. In fact I haven't been able to get started with one fixture. It crashes at the same point as it does for mmax. No problems on my Gateway laptop, but this older Dell with XP Pro crashes at the add fixture page. I just want to be able to back up my light shows on another PC.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times. Running ccleaner didn't help.

[jonny b good]

Well plenty of people have it running on all sorts of operating systems, so it must be something to do with the way your machines are setup, dpi, language, who knows what could be different to cause you the problems you are having.
I am not saying it is not FreeStyler ... but.

[lj_raph]

Hi All

Try to rename the file FreeStyler512.exe.manifest to FreeStyler512.exe.old and try again.

Do you have MS Office 2007/2003 installed on your computer?

Raph

[jonny b good]

Thanks for the tip Raph.
I do not have any problems.
I do not have UAC turned on on my Vista laptop so I do not get the manifest files.
I do not use a 64bit OS.
I only have Windows XP Pro and Vista.
I do have Office 2007 installed on all my computers as is FreeStyler.

I am also Onge, well I was, on this forum.

[lj_raph]

Strange issue, I have met similar problem on a Windows 7 32bit system.
Everytime I select a fixture which has more than 14 characters FS crashes, If I disable the manifest file the problem seems to be solved.

[Bobby D]

Raph, thanks for responding, but...

Renaming FreeStyler512.exe.manifest to FreeStyler512.exe.old didn't help, crashing the same. MS Word 2000 is on both laptops.

The crash occurs exactly when a fixture is clicked on. i.e. Scroll through Martin, click MX-1 = crash.

There's something about this particular laptop that isn't compatible. FS works fine on the other laptop.

[lj_raph]

After a long night searching for a solution, I've found several posts on the internet regarding crashes and tabtip.exe.
This error isn't a bug in FreeStyler, but a conflict between some controls in comctl32.dll and tabtip.exe

I will look if I can replace the comctl32 controls, but until then I suggest following solution:

SOLUTION: Disable the following service: "Tablet PC input service"
Raph

[Andre]

Hi,

I have the same problem but in fact its not nessecary to disable the Tablet PC Service, cause it is one and I just want to use the functionality it provides. So I tried to find a solution by myself and it seems that this http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... 662F5F62FE can fix the problem. I hope you can fix this quickly. Good Luck.

Greetings André

By the way, thanks for this great Program!

[remco_k]

Raph, how do I disable the "Tablet PC input service"?

If Raph means a windows service (which I think he is) then this is how:

1. Start->Run, type services.msc
2. Search for the Tablet PC input service.
3. Double click it, disable it for boot up.
4. Click the stop button to disable immediately.
5. Ok.
6. You're done.

[remco_k]

Ive figured it out. But it hasnt worked. FS is crashing again, again, "all over again".

You might want to give more information about it in order to have a chance that it gets solved one day.

Second: If FreeStyler crashes, it does not automaticly mean that the problem is in FreeStyler.

[Andre]

Hi,

I tried to rename the manifest file and now it seems to work. if i have enough time i'll test it together with an interface and a few fixtures.

[Random Discourse]

lj_ralph has it correct.

Part of this issue is inherent with Touchscreen's. Specifically, the "Tablet PC input" service seems to cause Freestyler problems only when adding/removing fixtures.

Luckily, FS operates fine with this service running (so long as you don't add or remove a fixture, and it depends on which fixture. I found that some work fine and others don't). So you don't have to give up the touchscreen. Simply, disable the service, add or remove your fixtures, then re-enable the service.

While this isn't quite a fix, it doesn't impede the usability of FS.

If you're encountering this problem and you don't have a touch screen, I'm not sure I can offer anything helpful, other then it seems to specifically involve MS common controls (comctl32.dll). My guess is anything else that may be utilizing this library/driver will cause this same problem to happen in FS.

[bastian]

I wouldn't want to hijack your thread, but I used to have that prompt when starting Freestyler (do you want to disable the tablet pc input) until by mistake I clicked "do not warn me again"... now everytime I start freestyler it stops my tablet service automatically and would like to leave it running

Would you know how to get it back?

[djmaq]

Hello.

I want to pick that thread up again. I haven't been here for a long time 'cause of less time. I also haven't updated my freestyler for a long time but when I figured out that the touchscreen interface 2 got sliders instead of jog wheels I did a update.
After that update I got a very similar error to this one. Everytime I try to edit/create a scene (any kind of programming) freestyler crashes an I got an error message.
I haven't tried if I do have that problem when I add fixtures but that wouldn't help me anyway if I can't programm something.
While I was starting Freestyler there was a PopUp that asked me for quitting the 'tabtip.exe' but I made no diference if I chose 'Yes' or 'No'

Now I asking you for help. What can i do to solve that problem. To reinstall Freestyler didn't help. I don't want to loose touchscreen functionality but I don't need OnScreen Keyboard or something like that.

Maybe someone can that. I would be very thankful.

regards
djmaq

[Jan_K]

Just a quick question.

Did you uninstall the old version before installing the new.

Also have you tried to disable the Touchscreen.

/Jan

[djmaq]

Sorry fot Late reply.

I tried to install it without uninstalling the old version at first. That caused the described error. Maybe Than I tried to uninstall the old one and than to install the new one. But I'm not absolutely sure about that. Maybe I can try that.
I haven't tried to disable the touchscreen 'cause I need it a disabling it ist not an option. Apart from that I do not even know how to do that

Regards
Djmaq

[Jan_K]

Well you have to track the problem down by breaking it into small pices (as small as possible) to see what works and what don't

I will say disable touch and see if that changed anything.
Clear the location and new fixture (not the one you normally use)
See if you then can make a sequence without errors.

I don't know if you have tried to remove freestyler from the registration database.
And I am not 100 % sure how to clean up this part but there are others that may be able to help.
( Spirit ? )

/Jan

[Jan_K]

I just added some reset info to the wiki.

Have a look.

http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/f ... leshooting

/Jan

[djmaq]

I will give it a try. But that will take some time. I've a lot to do at the moment.

Can you tell me how to disable the touchscreen function in the right way?

[Jan_K]

You have to do it under "External Control"

http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/e ... screen_ui2

/Jan

[RobbyG]

Hi there guys , I have exactly the same problem..
... after trying to find a fix i came upon this thread and so have followed all the steps..
( I never used UAC anyway)
So im on a Win 7 32bit Dell Laptop with Eurolite DMX USB cable all working ok , and im having the same issue as above. I programmed my rig on v 3.3.9 and could import the fixtures ok even they function.. but if I use the add fixture area and it dies.

Tried : running it on another comptuer .. its ran fine
Tablet input off .. Touchscreen functions in FSdmx OFF.. changed the .manifest filename ... Given full permissions to the Freestyler folder +rw ... Have tried this with both latest and old versions of FS .....
Cleaned registry by search string "freestyler" ... shooting aliens to keep me calm ...

Has anybody any idea why this might be happening.. ?
Ive finally got a machine that will do the video too now and its a real pain if im adding more lights to the show !!

Thanks for your brilliant work Raph n the Devs !!

[RobbyG]

^^^ After a lot of thought and re-reading... I will go ahead and say that this is because of " Dirty installing ".

I too had installed a newer version and then an older version, and I think the problem lies there with file placement or registration.
I wonder if the devs could come up with some kind of a "cleaner" that would remove all file entries and registry entries for all versions of FreestylerDMX.
-------------------------------------
MY WORKAROUND :
I am able to import settings from my old saved locations, so I can edit on another computer, and just import the Location file and it works. (editing cues and sequences is not a problem)
-------------------------------------
I am now running a DAW and controlling the FS Submasters by midi to Sequence my shows. This is the best way to get VERY tight seequences. I hope to post you the results very soon !! PEACE !!