Video Studio 11+ crashes when importing files

[Anna]

Hello,

no matter how many times I uninstall and reinstall this program which was bought to replace the error-infested Movie Maker, it keeps proving that even Corel can't produce a correct working software (don't get me started about what Painter X crashes for).

Everytime the same scenario: 2, 3 projects work no problem... and one day, upon importing no matter what filetype, it shuts down as soon as I confirm the list of files to be imported.

My computer is brandnew and certainly not to blame. Windows XP, enough memory. Unfortunately, something disables system restore. Which I don't care about since it's Video Studio that's being a bother and nothing else (except other Corel products..).

Well tomorrow is the deadline for a video I had to make for school. Thanks Corel for getting me an F for not having a video to show. Been overseas to shoot the footage, and after all this trouble, Video Studio screws it up. It'll go like, spent $1200 for that film school, $6000 on trip and equipment, $130 on software and have the latter get me a dropout before I could enjoy that investment for as little as 2 months.

I'd really appreciate any help on this.

[2Dogs]

My computer is brandnew and certainly not to blame.

According to your "system" information, you have no computer. Rather than decide that Corel is the cause of the problem, however, it is far more likely to be a pc configuration problem. Many new pc's, especially those from the Tier One manufacturers such as HP, Gateway and so on, come larded up with all manner of "stuff". Windows messenger is enabled by default, and you may also have screensavers and so on, along with all the software that connects to the internet to check for updates.

You have provided scant information on your problem, so all I would suggest would be to look for a bad file in the trouble-causing project.

Unfortunately, something disables system restore.

You should be able to configure system restore. If not, I would suspect the presence of malware on your pc, or that you are working from a non-administrator account.

[Anna]

My system information is something I don't learn by heart.
Also, why, even after cleaning up the registry after the last uninstall, are there still files to overwrite upon new installation??
here's all I got:
Pentium D CPU 2.80GHz
2.79GHz, 1 GB RAM

76487-OEM-0011903-00824 whatever that is

[2Dogs]

Hi Anna

Also, why, even after cleaning up the registry after the last uninstall, are there still files to overwrite upon new installation??

Unfortunately, most programs require you to manually delete things like empty folders after an uninstall - and many leave all kinds of traces or "orphans" in the registry. The only ways I know to ensure a really thorough uninstall are to use System Restore or a drive imaging program, such as Norton Ghost, to revert the pc to it's condition prior to the install.

here's all I got:
Pentium D CPU 2.80GHz
2.79GHz, 1 GB RAM

So if you log on to your profile, you can fill in the system information, and you won't have to repeat it every time you post. It's easier all round.

You've already said that you can open two or three projects with no problems, but that your VS crashes when you try to import any file after some time. It's not clear if you are referring to importing those same files that previously worked in previous projects, or if these are new files.

If they are new files, I would check how they played in another program, such as media player for example. That could identify a corrupt file.

If, on the other hand, they were files previously used successfully in your earlier projects, I might suspect a problem with the pc.


To rule out some posibilities, make sure that your anti virus program is up to date and run a full scan on your pc.


Make sure you have an anti-spyware program installed. I have been a long time user and supporter of the freeware Spybot SD (with optional donations which I make from time to time) Run a full scan with that or whatever anti-spyware program you use.


Also make sure that your Windows operating system has all the latest security updates.


There are just so many possibilities that you have to make an effort to eliminate as many as you can in order to track down the problem. Try looking in your Event Viewer logs. Although much of the information is rather arcane, it can sometimes give you a clue as to which program module is causing the crash.

Good luck, and sorry if I came across too sarcastic!

[Ken Berry]

I see you are confirming 'a list of files'. Can you import individual files in that list, one by one? That would also help identify if one of them might be corrupt.

Also, are they all from the same source and using the same format?

Have you installed any mega codec packs on your computer? If so, that in itself could be a source of conflict with VS.

[Anna]

Thanks all and sorry if I came across a bit angry - I was, such things just drive me nuts.

Well, now it workds again, even "mass imports". The previous were .gif files, however NOW they work fine and there were times that the program shut down upon importing regular wmv or avi files.

I have that one K-Lite codec pack, yes.

It's really strange.... it seems to be (not) working under random circumstances. I'm trying to pay attention to exactly what I'm doing when it happens and when it doesn't, but I just don't see a pattern

[Ken Berry]

That sort of random hang is just the sort of thing that happens when a mega codec pack -- including specifically K-Lite -- is installed. Those packs are thrown together with every imaginable codec. Quantity is the aim, rather than quality, and those who sell the packs seem blissfully unaware of the fact that many of the codecs in the pack conflict with each other, let alone with codecs already on your computer.

Don't get me wrong -- codec packs have a use, but you have to be discerning with them. I have used them myself. But I usually have an idea about a specific codec I am after, so I fire up the codec pack installation program, but then only select that codec I am after, rather than simply accept the default of installing the whole pack holus-bolus.

You could always try uninstalling K-Lite and see whether that adds any stability to your system. If it does, but you still want specific codecs, then you could follow my suggested approach to installing just those codecs you need from the pack.

[2Dogs]

-- including specifically K-Lite -- is installed. ....and those who sell the packs seem blissfully unaware of the fact that many of the codecs in the pack conflict with each other, let alone with codecs already on your computer.

The K-Lite pack is of course free, which explains why so many people use it. But I agree, just check the codecs you want when running the installer and add them one by one. Also use System Restore!

@Anna - glad to hear you're OK now!

[Anna]

The problem is:
Without that codec pack, I can't WATCH.
With the codec pack, I have trouble EDITING.
And I'm a bit of a computer n00b, so umm..

[Ken Berry]

What precisely are you trying to WATCH??? What format, what program?

[Anna]

Mostly AVI. The thing is, even if they play (Nero Showtime and Windows Media Player), I can't take screencaps wchich will turn out green or with a fat green bar.

[2Dogs]

Without that codec pack, I can't WATCH.

What format are you trying to watch?

If it's DivX, there seem to be no problems related to installing the DivX codec, currently 6.7 I think. For H.264, you can install Quicktime, currently version 7.3, which also seems not to disrupt VS. Both entirely free, of course. If you do install either or both of the above, be sure to uncheck all the boxes for automatically looking for updates or for "keeping you informed" (i.e. spamming you)

In addition to the above, I have successfully installed ffdshow, and haven't found anything I can't watch yet, (at least in terms of format, if not content!) whilst at the same time not experiencing difficulties with VS. So you may yet be able to solve your conundrum.