X3 hang splash screen "InitComMan" w/AMD Catalyst 11.10 WHQL

[Tanquen]

Wow, I have the same issue. It’s hard to believe that a video drive update stops a Windows desktop program from running. This has been a problem for 4 or 5 months, are they going to fix it? I’ve been trying to work with email tech support but they just keep giving me caned “Is your PC on?” responses.

[Crawdaddy79]

Wow, I have the same issue. It’s hard to believe that a video drive update stops a Windows desktop program from running. This has been a problem for 4 or 5 months, are they going to fix it? I’ve been trying to work with email tech support but they just keep giving me caned “Is your PC on?” responses.

It might have something to do with Eyefinity implementation. Even so, it should be an easy fix. Not sure what Corel is doing about it. I've bought PSP 7, 9, and most recently X3. Assuming that it isn't going to be fixed, this is the last Corel product I will buy.

[mecdave]

Wow, 4 months and the problem has not been resolved. I just tried to fire up X3 for the first time in a couple months and when it didn't, I eventually found my way here.

I "solved" the problem just as the others have by rolling back my AMD drivers from 12.3 to 11.9. I did try the X4 Trial Version and it works with 12.3, but I won't be purchasing the upgrade any time soon, if at all. Time to check out the competition.

[BillMGreen]

I can confirm this. PSP X stopped working (hangs at splash screen) after changing from Intel HD 4000 to AMD Radeon HD 7950 with latest Catalyst 12.6.

No chance of starting the software. Was just about to buy X3 for 20 bucks but then I found this thread and as this problem persists with newer PSP versions I'll save my money at this point of time.

Sys: i7-3770k, 16 GB, 7950, W7 x64. On the same system PSP X works flawlessly when using the built-in Intel GPU.

Even more info on this problem: http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33988489

[Monadian]

Very similar problem with 12.6 drivers and X2 Ultimate. PSP X2 hangs every time. Furthermore, I cannot uninstall the product (PSP), can't perform a repair through the control panel, and can't reinstall. It is worth noting that the reinstall/repair/uninstalls all hang when it tries to "register modules". I suspect there is something keeping PSP from writing to the registry. (Yes, I am administrator.)

With AMD 12.6 drivers uninstalled, problem goes away. For confirmation, I tried installing only the drivers; no Catalyst Control Center, no other modules, just the video drivers. Problem came back.

Confirmed same issue with 12.3 drivers.

So this issue has been going on for... what, 7 years now?

[MentalAtrophy]

I just upgraded my video card today. Upon installing the Catalyst 12.6 software and drivers, I am experiencing the same issue. The launcher hangs on the "Initializing Command Manager" phase.

[MacAlister]

Same issue here:
I can't use Paint Shop Pro X2 since i changed my graphic board for a Radeon HD7750 and installed Catalyst 12.4.
In case no solution arises : is there a convenient (software) possibility to switch from a graphic card to an embedded Intel's GPU, when running specifically PSP ?

[AdamB5000]

This is pathetic. I upgraded my video card to a 6950 and updated the drivers and I cannot boot the program.

I reformatted my pc with Win7 64-bit and it just hangs.

I'm ready to learn Photoshop or just use a freeware program.

[crusader]

This is pathetic. I upgraded my video card to a 6950 and updated the drivers and I cannot boot the program.

I reformatted my pc with Win7 64-bit and it just hangs.

I'm ready to learn Photoshop or just use a freeware program.

same thing happened to me (i upgraded to 7770)

[nashnet]

I just managed to fix this issue, and thought I'd share the solution. I attached a debugger to the process and found that the problem appears to be caused by atigktxx.dll. The solution is to swap the file installed by more recent Catalyst drivers for the one in 11.9. Fortunately, swapping in this old file doesn't appear to cause any other issues. You can download the correct file here:

http://www.kn00tcn.net/site/cities-in-motion-startup-crash-fix/

There are known problems with more recent versions, leading to incompatibilities with other apps and games (e.g. see link). More seriously, the issue can also lead to freezes when using standard Windows open/save file dialogs (freeze occurs whenever the dialog tries to show an image thumbnail*), which can cause users to lose work, because the program hangs before (or, rather, as) they save it. Despite my sending detailed bug reports, AMD appears unable or unwilling to do anything about it - there have been several new driver iterations since I reported the issue.

Here's hoping 12.9 finally addresses the problem, but in the meantime, I hope this gets you going.

Best,
Chris

(* Note to Corel Devs: I don't know if you guys install some Windows Explorer-integration that affects thumbnail display. If so, you might want to check that it isn't an incompatibility between it and newer atigktxx.dll versions that causes these issues. This is of greater import than PSP simply not running, since these freezes can occur in any application that uses a save dialog - including, for example, MS Office.)