How I finally got Corel PSP X2 to STOP crashing/freezing.

jrock28 · Post by **jrock28** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:30 am

OKAY, if anyone else is having the same problem with Corel PSP X2 v12 crashing all the time and is running window's XP, I think I figured it out.

After several unsuccesful uninstallations/reinstallations, I may have narrowed it down -

1. First thing I did was uninstall it and then completely cleaned my registry a few times using the freeware program CCleaner (you can get it on download.com for free).

2. Next, I disabled the services Corel tries to load in my startup file using CCleaner.

This includes the I/O Photo Downloader and some other service you don't need called PSIservice.exe. I don't know what it does, but it's included with the installtion and you don't need either one to run the program. Using Ccleaner, navigate to tools --> startup and remove them.

Now, restart your computer.

When it boots back up, Hit Ctrl + Alt + Del and check to make sure these aren't running in the background. If they are, simply disable them.

3. DO NOT UPDATE to the v12.01 patch. For some reason, it runs fine for me now unless I update. If it update, it starts crashing again.

Simply disabling these .exe processes running in the background and removing them from your startup file makes the program work flawlessly for me now. At least so far.

Hope that helps anyone whose having the same issues!

michaeltee · Post by **michaeltee** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:16 pm

jrock28,

Disabling PSIservice.exe isn't a good idea. If the process isn't running, PSPPX2 will either stop working 30 days after installation (even if you've successfully entered your serial number during the install) or (in some cases) will fail to launch. Have you received any prompts asking you to "activate" the software (usually they appear just after you close PSPPX2)? The activation must complete within 30 days of the installation date in order to keep the software working -- however if PSIservice.exe isn't running, the activation process will fail. Unfortunately, once PSIservcie.exe has been disabled, simply re-enabling it won't fix the problem. In that case you would have to uninstall, reboot, and re-install PSPPX2. Do not disable PSIservice.exe before OR after reinstalling. I don't know anyone who appreciates the endless background processes that many software developers feel they need to include, but suggesting that PSIservice.exe be disabled will cause more problems for users than it will cure.

creolejazz · Post by **creolejazz** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:47 pm

I have completely given up and purchased Photoshop and am finished with Corel. I'm amazed how unstable PSP has become. Mostly I'm disappointed. I long for the Jasc days.

My requests for Corel support take days to get a response and when they do come they contain stock, formula, worthless information. You can't reply, you have to go back to their site where they have, of course, closed your support ticket. Finally, I'd had enough, bit the bullet and went to Photoshop. I wish you good luck, however.

michaeltee · Post by **michaeltee** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:38 pm

creolejazz wrote:I have completely given up and purchased Photoshop and am finished with Corel. I'm amazed how unstable PSP has become. Mostly I'm disappointed. I long for the Jasc days.

My requests for Corel support take days to get a response and when they do come they contain stock, formula, worthless information. You can't reply, you have to go back to their site where they have, of course, closed your support ticket. Finally, I'd had enough, bit the bullet and went to Photoshop. I wish you good luck, however.

You might be able to get some help in this forum but you'd have to let us know what sort of problems you're experiencing.

Larry4511 · Post by **Larry4511** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:44 pm

This sounds uncomfortably familiar. I hope he figures it out. PSP seems to be able to do everything we could want. Geez, I don't WANT to go back!

It's sort of like buying a Buick and getting home and having the key not work.

michaeltee · Post by **michaeltee** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:23 pm

Larry4511 wrote:This sounds uncomfortably familiar. I hope he figures it out. PSP seems to be able to do everything we could want. Geez, I don't WANT to go back!

It's sort of like buying a Buick and getting home and having the key not work.

I'm totally happy with PSPPX2, especially after upgrading to X2 Ultimate. Factoring in upgrades, I've probably purchased a dozen or more Corel/Ulead products over the last 5 years. From my experience, the build quality continues to improve and become more robust with each version. I haven't used Corel's tech-support often so it's difficult to comment on the quality of their response. That said, I've never run into a problem I couldn't resolve either on my own or through the forum.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:39 am

It always tickles me when someone posts on the User to User Web Board that they didn't get any help from Corel support and so are giving up.
Now lets stop and think for a moment.

1. Corel have provided us with this Web Board.
2. The User has actively sought out this Web Board.
3. Having found this Web Board the user doesn't bother to say what the problem was, or if they do they don't wait for a response from anyone here who may either know the answer or is able to offer some suggestions.

In fact this Web Board is so well thought of by Corel they have even directed some users here. I have on occasions had emails forwarded to me directly from Corel to see if our members know of a cure.

This is not to say that Corel are not experts in their own software, quite the contrary, they acknowledge that many problems experienced by users are not the fault of the Corel Software but of some other factor such as a software conflict.

Computers are very complex machines able to do a wide range of tasks ranging from photo and video editing to robotics, word processing, entertainment centres, communications, gaming and washing machine controls, controlling satellites and more other purposes than one could imagine.

I therefore see nothing wrong in seeking help and suggestions from as wide an audience as possible, even the author of a book will consult a dictionary or thesaurus.

Perhaps if these users with problems were to post the problem here and then have some patience - we volunteers cannot be logged on 24/7 we also have our own jobs and families to attend to but we do what we can when we can.

Larry4511 · Post by **Larry4511** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:59 pm

I wholeheartedly concur with that. This site is an invaluable resource to share experiences and pussibly solve problems.

Though I understand the sentiments of the user who started this thread, I too wondered just why an near-exact description of how PSP was crashing wan't offered. What were you doing when it happened? What was the result? Were you experimenting with new commands? Is it possible that a certain shortcut key is pressed at the wrong time?

Once you purchase software, you have to give yourseld a chance to make it work. Time is precious, of course, but the reward for success is most times worth it.

There are limits. Some four years ago, I was using Roxio Creator 6 and 7 to process some 8000 photos into video dvd's complete with merged music. For some reason and at unpredictable times, the program simply disappeared. This was particularly vexing because for repetitious projects, you have to get your mind into a work flow and it is wrenching to have it interupted, especially if work is lost.

I kept at it, though, until I finished my 35 dvd's successfully, but I haven't used Creator since and likely will not even though it came installed on my new computer.

Persistence is the key. Eventually, the answer may come and, if not, you buy Paint Shop Photo and VideoStudio and try again.

See ya.
Larry