Upgraded to PhotoImpact 11 - other Ulead software crashes

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:09 am

Hi People

I have recently upgraded from PhotoImpact 8 SE to PhotoImpact 11 (full version), installing Photo Explorer 8.6 at the same time.

When I try to open Photo Explorer, it starts to open, shows the splash screen, then disappears (not responding in Windows Task Manager).

This also happens with Ulead Cool 360. The 'viewer' programmes for both seem to work fine.

The PhotoImpact 11 programme itself runs fine on the desktop pc, but no other Ulead products (well actually PhotoImpact 8 still runs). I tried installing everything onto my notebook. PhotoImpact 8, then 11, then Photo Explorer 8.6, and it works perfectly.

I completely wiped the Ulead installs from my desktop (using the Ulead uninstaller, using 'Total Uninstall', and also deleting temp files, and using regedit to delete entries as described in some posts on this forum), and reinstalled one by one, but no better. Am running same security software on both systems, so prob not anti-virus etc.

The only difference is that I'm running Ulead DVD MovieFactory 3 SE on my desktop pc. I completely uninstalled MF 3, including old common files, in case they were upsetting other Ulead software...no luck.

Started XP in diagnostic mode, and re-installed (safe mode not working at present), in case driver conflicts but still won't run.

I uninstalled MF 3, to see if there is any conflict with Photo Explorer. Didn't help, so I reinstalled MF 3.

Now that doesn't run either. Starts with the opening menu screen. If I select 'create video disc', or 'create slideshow disc', the programme tries to load, but doesn't respond (in task manager), and flicks back to the menu screen.

I tried reinstalling my older version of Ulead Video Studio 5 SE, and that doesn't even attempt to open (although it used to work fine).

Please help if you can!!! ...I hope that you can follow my install / uninstall processes ok

p.s. Ulead support have told me to try running progs in Windows 98 compatibility mode, as XP SP2 may be a prob...no better

All in all, I like Ulead products, and don't want to have to look at purchasing other programmes!

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:52 pm

I had similar problems when upgrading PI 10 to PI 11. Not as severe but problems none the less.

Because I have always been saying that a great many problems are system dependend, I really went out of my way to try to prove this to myself in this particular case. I had tried every avenue suggested here, had help from Ulead tech support etc. I just could not fix it. Finally I had srewed up my system disc to the degree that I had major problems all over the place.

In the end I actually bought a new hard disc and installed XP Pro SP2 on it and one ULEAD program after the other to make sure they work. Finally, I was able to get this to work as expected. Sure, my remedy was a bit drastic but I did not want to completely wipe the old system disk because some vital stuff still worked on that one.

To cut a long story short, all went well, I could use PI 10 and PI 11 (still don't particularly like that one) and MSP 7.3 worked also. Just recently, I noticed that I did, in fact, not install MovieFactory 3. Not sure why I overlooked this, just didn't need it that time around. After I installed MF 3, my original problems with PI 10/PI 11 were back.

Uninstalled MF 3 again and all was back to normal. Figure that

I have since upgraded to MF 4 Disc Creator and all seems well. It looks like the order in which ULEAD programs are installed has a bearing on what gives also. There doesn't seem to be any logic to it. When I had my original problems, after adding PI 11, the problem would not go away after I removed PI 11. PI 10 was still playing up. This time around, the problem was identical to what I experienced before, it went away again after I removed MF 3

Pitty that, meanwhile, I wiped my old system disc. Could have tried to remove MF 3 from that installation to prove a point

I do believe though that some ULEAD programs have an issue with Windows. Not a good excuse but that's the way it is.

I'm sorry that I can't give you any constructive ideas for your problems other than recommending a fresh install of Windows and only the programs you need to use on your PC. Virus scanners and fire walls have cause many a problem also, not necessarily during the running of the programs, but the installation phase. It is for that reason, that my editing PC is not connected to the www, never will be. Every downloaded program goes through my laptop prior to being installed on the PC to ensure I don't introduce any virus.

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:44 am

Thanks Heinz-Oz for your rapid, and comprehensive reply

I had pretty much resigned myself to a hard disk reformat, and reinstall, so we both reached the same point.

After re-installing XP, and security software, I'll next install the Ulead progs, one by one.

I was going to start with the oldest progs first, but as you suggest, that may not even be the solution.

You may not have a solution, but it's still good to know that it's not only me with these major install issues

Cheers

Xyzzy2 · Post by **Xyzzy2** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:34 am

I'd like only to add that PI uninstall leaves a lot of entries in the registry (also a few non-obvious ones) and they are not fixed by latter reinstalls of the same or different version (like some entries point to files of uninstalled PI10 after installation of PI11).
In my opinion also PI often "shoots itself in the foot", damaging its own configuration files (that's for sure) and (presumably) corrupting/improperly registering registry entries.
I have not conducted any "scientific research" though.

I think that Windows reinstallation and then careful installation of Ulead's apps is reasonable attempt at solution for those who may/want do it.

X.

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:41 am

I always use 'Total Uninstall' when installing new software. For those who don't know, this software takes 'before' and 'after' snapshots of your system, then logs any changes. This enables a complete uninstall of software, presumably including registry entries not uninstalled by the softwares own uninstaller (that's a lot of uninstalls in one sentence).

Anyway, this should have completey cleaned my system of Ulead files and entries, but didn't (i presume, cause still doesn't work).

Time to look for my XP install disk!!!

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:54 am

Hi bigred,

not sure if you are aware of this, I found out the hard way too, ULEAD programs also leave traces and temp folders for every other user, including the "default user" account. Maybe one of these temp files is still around, allowing PI to find things that are supposedly no longer there

happened to me

Xyzzy2 · Post by **Xyzzy2** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:25 am

BigRed wrote:I always use 'Total Uninstall' when installing new software. For those who don't know, this software takes 'before' and 'after' snapshots of your system, then logs any changes.

I think that Ulead apps may also perform some install activities (like registering components) at first launch.

X.

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:51 am

Yep, I'm sure that you are right.

Before i run the final 'snapshot' of the system with Total Uninstall, i run the app first, incase it does some of post install registering. Sometimes this requires a reboot of Windows, so should pick up all changes!!!????

Therefore, when i do an uninstall, everything (i think) should be returned to a pre-install state.

Yet i still can't run 1. Photo Explorer 2. Cool 360 3. DVD Movie Factory 4. VideoStudio after the uninstall / reinstall (about 10 times so far)

Cheers BigRed

p.s. Heinz Oz..i'm pretty sure that i deleted all temp files. That i could find anyway. Found some left-overs in 'application data' folders also.

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:09 am

a note in closing (hopefully)

I carried out the procedures that I had resigned myself to above.

1. Reformat

2. Re-install XP Home (and security patches)

3. Install essential security progs

Then re-installed Ulead in this order

1. UMF 3

2. PI8

3. PI11

4. PEX 8.6

5. Cool 360

6. VideoStudio 6

After this, the Ulead software was running so well, thought I would tempt fate, and re-install some progs that could cause conflicts.

Nero 6.6, Cyberlink PowerDirector Pro, Roxio EMC 8.

All running swimmingly...fingers and toes crossed

Ta for previous help (and prob future help)

BigRed

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:36 pm

Glad you got it going. Good luck and keep those digits crossed