VS11 wont start

[jont]

I have problem getting Videostudio 11 to start at all - and Corel support have not been able to solve it. I have reinstalled a paid-up version of VS 11 over a trial version that has expired - and I have done a total clean as suggested by Corel including deleting registry and installation data.

But the software simply wont start (using XP Home) - absolutely nothing happens except seeing a hour glass for a few seconds. When I start with "run as" then I get the message "Limit users can not try this product. You can use normally after successful activiation". The problem is I need to start the software to activiate - but it wont start unless already activated - catch 22!!!!!

I tried using the main Administrator account in safe mode (in XP Home the only way to do this), but in safe mode a component is missing so the software wont start.

Other than doing the millionth reinstall, any ideas how to activate without starting or to run as main administrator in XP Home?? Or any ideas what to do.


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Another strange issue found after I repaied XP and followed Corel's instructions for a full clean uninstall:

QUOTE
Launch Windows Explorer and go to "Tools > Folder Options > View" to check "show hidden files and folders";
Purge/delete all the files in these folders: "C:\Windows\Temp" "C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Local Settings\Temp" (for WinXP);
It is safe to delete all contents of these folders. However, leave any files you can?t delete for now;
Delete these folders/directories: "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems" "C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 11.0" "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio\11.0" "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SmartSound Software Inc" (for full versions);
Go to "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information";
Delete the folder "{E188D820-1218-4E28-8BCA-91134C3664C2}", or {F99F9E24-EE2F-47FD-AEB0-FDB82859B5C9} on Vista
Go to Start-->Run;
Type "regedit" then "OK";
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Uninstall;
Locate and delete the identity enclosed in curly brackets that corresponds to Ulead VideoStudio 11: "{E188D820-1218-4E28-8BCA-91134C3664C2}"; or {F99F9E24-EE2F-47FD-AEB0-FDB82859B5C9} on Vista
Go to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio";
Delete the folder "11.0";
Go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio";
Delete the folder "11.0";
Close Regedit and restart Windows;
Go to Start | Run
Type msconfig and click on OK
Go to Services and click on "Hide all Microsoft Services" and then on "Disable all"
Go to Startup and click on "Disable all"
Click on OK and restart the computer
Install VideoStudio 11 Plus and all updates
Go to Start | Run
Type msconfig and click on OK
Choose "Normal Startup" and click on OK
Note: You need to have "Administrator" privileges on your computer. "Limited" or "Guest" accounts won't let Ulead software install or run properly on your computer
UNQUOTE

Things to note:

1) All files were successfuly deleted (I had stopped all non-Windows start-up programms)
2) At uninstall I had to delete the keys that relate to Vista, because no XP keys were listed. I told Corel about this, but it got zero response from them - as if it were not important
3) After reinstallation again only Vista keys (but I have XP)
4) When I downloaded the new patch (available from 8 November) and tried to install, I got the message that it could not find VideoStudio 11 installed on my computer

Help please!!!!!

[Cos Graham]

Hi there,

I am having a similar problem with Windows Vista. I registered the product and now cannot open VS 11 and I get a generic Windows message to inform me VS has 'stopped working'. Very disappointing since it worked well before I paid for the full version.

Hopefully Corel will start to pay more attention if more customers are experiencing the problem.

I will let you know if I find a resolution to the symptoms.

cg

[jont]

Hi Cos Graham!

Many thanks - it seems I am not alone. I paid for the software in August, but have not been able to use it since reinstalling in September. Corel need to get their act together better!

Functionally great software - just can't use it!!!!

[jobryw]

Same problem here with VISTA - VS 11 won't start on one laptop, but works fine on identical machine (HP Pavilion) bought at same time.
Both have VISTA preinstalled.
I have reinstalled VS several times with help from support but nothing happens - no messages, nothing...! PDF guide opens fine, though.
On first install the program kept asking for a series of missing dlls which I extracted from the CD, now it doesn't ask for anything or do anything, either.
There is evidently some ***-up somewhere in the original VISTA installation on this machine but sfc scan shows nothing and I daren't do a re-istall from the HP restore partition.
Both HP and MS don't seem interested....

[Ken Berry]

I daren't do a re-istall from the HP restore partition

Not sure why you feel you don't dare do this. For what it is worth, I bought a HP Pavilion 9000 earlier this year, preloaded also with Vista Home Premium. For reasons completely unrelated to VS, I had to reformat the hard disk, and used the HP back-up on the restore partition to good effect.. The only annoying thing about it is that it also restores all the other junk that HP preloads, which they obviously think is designed to help users.

[Cos Graham]

Hello again,

I have tried uninstalling and re-installing VS 11 a few times but keep experiencing the same problem that VS will not open. I tried following the Corel recommendation for removing all traces of VS and starting again. The instructions are for both XP and Vista and (maybe due to driver error) not all of the Vista instructions seemed to correlate with my installation of Vista. I did what I could and I think you can guess the outcome...

Unfortunately I only have Windows restore points back to just after the problem occurred (of course...) so I have no options left, unless anyone has any more suggestions... The thought of reformatting the HDD does not fill me with enthusiasm, especially as I have also purchased Adobe Premier Elements which functions normally, even if it is a little complex to use.

Any helpful suggestions would be accepted gratefully.

cg

[Cos Graham]

I just thought I would send an update on the VS 11 problem...

Corel support did respond promptly to my requests for assistance but I was only given fairly generic suggestions for repair of VS11. In the end I managed to get VS 11 to load and open (I have not tested it fully yet though) by doing the following:

I followed the instructions from Corel for the complete removal of the non-operational instance of VS11 but... I supplemented the instructions with some improvisation. When I had removed the references to the VS11 application {curly brackets} from the PC, I also removed any references from date and time that I installed the original TBYB version. I also had to remove the references to an installation of VS7 I had made as an experiment. I noted all of these long {reference numbers} and searched the locations suggested by Corel for them (e.g. registry) and deleted them all.

I then searched the registry for 'Ulead' and found LOTS of related references - all of which I deleted manually. It took a good 20 minutes to complete this, after which I searched the root directory (C:\) for 'ulead' also and found a few files / folders, which I also deleted.

I emptied my recycle bin, disabled the services as recommended by Corel (MSCONFIG), re-booted and then re-installed VS11. I installed it from a back-up disk that I had created from the original download installation file (in case the original was corrupted).

I then opened VS11 without problem, and with considerable relief.

I will caveat my instructions with a general warning that making changes to the registry can mess up your PC very easily, but I seem to have got away with it...

Good luck.

[2Dogs]

I'm happy to hear that you may have solved your problem, and it sounds like it was related to a faulty install.

You do have to be careful when pruning the registry. It's not for those of a nervous disposition! Some of the references to Ulead may well be in registry keys relating to anti virus and anti spyware programs, and you shouldn't delete those - you could all too easily weaken your defences.

A sensible precaution is to first make a registry backup, so you can recover from a minor foul-up.

I use Norton Ghost to make regular backup images of my OS partition, so I feel quite brave about purging the registry of stuff I don't like! It then takes only about ten minutes or less to recover from a full disaster.