Many crashes

[run53]

I just downloaded the trial version and clearly like all the features. Before I buy however, I need to know why I can't get through editing a small show without crashing the program. Here's what I did....

1) add about 7 .jpg files (most are 2100 X 1500) formerly edited in Photoshop CS2

2) I've added a .mp3 file for background

3) I've used one of the "themes"

4) The program always crashes when I try to edit a slide to put custom motion and fading. Sometimes I get "an attempt was made to access an unnamed file past it's end". Other times, I just get a crash (no messages). Of course, at this point all changes are lost and i have to restart.

Seems very unstable

Just FYI...I am also evaluating Microsoft Photostory 3 using the same .mp3 and .jpg 's and never have any problems. So I know my files are ok.

I prefer PictureShow becasue of it's enriched feature set, but not worth it unless I can solve these crashing issues.

[michaeltee]

Hi run53, welcome to the forum!

My experience has been that DVDPS4 is a reasonably stable program. That said, video processing apps can sometimes be a bit unpredictable from one machine to the next. In other words, what runs well on one PC might be problematic on another. This is why I always urge forum members to try-before-buy.

In any case, I'll make a few suggestions that may help...

1) Try converting your "mp3" file(s) to "wav". Although mp3 is a compatible audio format for DVDPS4 some users have reported better results using wav files in their projects.

2) Try reducing the size (in pixels) of your images. As long as you don't go below 720x480 you shouldn't experience a drop in quality.

Please report back and let us know if any these suggestions were of help.

Good luck
-Mike

[run53]

I reduced the jpg sizes to under 800 x 600 (in most cases I got a warning that the image resolution may not be high enough, indicated by a red cross in the image thumbnail). I also converted to .wav using audacity.

Things got better and i was able to work for longer periods of time before it crashed. It still crashed a couple of times though and i lost my changes. This was with a project of 60-70 slides. I need to do a 300 slide project and i am concerned that it may get worse with more slides.

The good news is that I was able to burn my project to DVD and it played very well on my stand-alone player.

[Ron P.]

Did you purchase it? When I downloaded the TBYB version, It would only allow 10 images, which is normal for the trial version. Just curious on how you managed to get 60-70?

[michaeltee]

Sorry to hear you're still having problems. If you've purchased the software you're entitled to tech-support and I would definitely recommend contacting them. Before doing so I might suggest a clean install as this has been recommended by tech-support in previous similar incidents. If it fails to resolve the problem be sure to advise tech-support of the results.

In the meantime, save your project file periodically (and often) throughout the slide show creation process. This will save you some time should crashing continue.

CLEAN INSTALL PROCEDURE:

If any of the files or folders specified below are not found on your system continue with the procedure moving on to the next step.

1. Launch Windows Explorer and go to tools\folder option\advance setting to check "show hidden files and folders"
2. Please clean first your hard drive: Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools then click Disk Cleanup. Choose the system drive to clean (ususally drive "C" then click OK. Check all boxes for cleanup and click OK to clean your hard drive
3. Go to your Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and uninstall PictureShow 4
4. Go to "C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems"
5. Delete the folder for CD & DVD PictureShow 4
6. Delete "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems" (***please don't delete if you have other Ulead programs installed.
7. Go to "C:\Program Files\InstallShield Installation Information" and delete the folder {1F6199F9-9BED-4B43-9E5C-8495086EE714}
8. Click Start: Run: Type "regedit", click OK
9. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\, please delete: {1F6199F9-9BED-4B43-9E5C-8495086EE714} folder if present
10. Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Ulead Systems\,please delete Ulead CD & DVD PictureShow 4 folder
11. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Ulead Systems\,please delete Ulead CD & DVD PictureShow 4 folder
12. Close regedit
13. Install CD & DVD PictureShow 4 again

-Mike

[run53]

[quote="vidoman"]Did you purchase it? When I downloaded the TBYB version, It would only allow 10 images, which is normal for the trial version. Just curious on how you managed to get 60-70?[/quote]

I needed to make a quick purchase becasue I have a project due in the next week. It had some features that PhootStory didn't have. I do have to say, though that PhotoStory 3 was rock solid in terms of performance and stability, right "out of the box" - no tweaks required. Handled large jpg and mp3's witout any problems whatsoever. I would have gone with it if it had more features.

Having said that, reducing jpg sizes and using .wav did make a noticable difference. As long as remember to do a lot of saves, I think it will be managable.

I think, I will try the fresh install, just to see if that helps.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!!!

[sjj1805]

run53

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