Can't get X4 to fully open

[MagsGraphics]

I need help.

I have used PSPx7-X3 over the last several years, so I'm experienced at installing new versions.
This change to PSPX4 has been giving me fits!

At the moment, only PSPX4 has been installed PLUS the 1st Service Patch.

PROBLEM:
When I start, it hangs on the first start up screen with the photo of the girl and the words "Starting Up..."
It won't go any further.

I have tried:
1. Uninstalling and re-installing.
2. Uninstalling, running the Corel PSPX4 Clean-Up Tool, and re-installing.
3. Holding "shift" while opening.
4. Running as administrator - although I'm the only user on this laptop. There are not other accounts BUT administrator.
5. I have tried removing the the Corel folder from the app data folders - both in local and in roaming.

Additional Info:
I had NO problems with PSP (x3 before Christmas) until Dec. 22 when Windows ran an automatic update which caused HAVOC with my computer. In the next few days, I had to do several system restores and un-stalls of PSPX3 just to get it running to finish up Christmas gifts. I can't just NOT do the critical Windows updates - but I don't know if they are causing an issue with PSP.

ANY HELP you all can give me would be MUCH appreciated!
Thanks so much,
Maggie

[Joelle]

Ouch, that's not a nice way to see in the New Year!
You have done everything that I can think of too, hmm.
Have you tried restoring your computer to an earlierSystem Restore point, from before the new Microsoft update?
Microsoft always sets Restore points, so you can roll back.
Can't think of anything else.

Joëlle

[MagsGraphics]

I have done so many restores in the last five days, there aren't any more...

[Joelle]

I have done so many restores in the last five days, there aren't any more...

The only other thing I would do is to remove anything to do with Corel and PSPX4 in the Registry, but ONLY if you are confident rummaging in the Registry !
Export the whole of the Registry to somewhere safe first though.

Before you do that, wait for LeviFiction to pop up, he is very good at thinking up something to solve problems

Joëlle

[MagsGraphics]

Not confident rummaging through the registry!
I think the Corel Clean up utility that Corel provided is supposed to remove all traces of PSP in the registry - which *should* have fixed a registry problem when I un-installed, ran it, and re-installed.

I've been on the online-chat with Corel - they are stumped too... *sigh*

[df]

The first thing I would try is to uninstall using a third party uninstaller. I use Revo Uninstaller http://majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html
To use this you open it, it lists all programs it sees on your computer. You then click the program you want to uninstall (PSP X4 in this case) and click Uninstall. If you use the Windows or Corel uninstaller first this program can't work.
When prompted tell the program to do the deepest cleaning it can. Follow the onscreen prompts.
It will then use the Windows uninstaller to uninstall the program, after that it will check the registry and you'll have to authorize what it finds (pay attention that it didn't mistake an errant file to a different program), it then checks the rest of the computer for leftovers which you'll have to authorize cleaning of as well.
Reinstall.

There's also the trick of uninstalling, creating a new account on your computer with admin privilages, installing the program on the new account, then when the program installs properly you can delete the other account and use the program on your main/regular/only account. Personally I'd have 2 accounts on your computer minimum. If something were to happen to your computer having a second admin account would make it useable until you got it fixed. You could even access the other information on the main account. My 3 year old changed my password once and I was locked out of my own computer, I'll never make that mistake again.

[Ken Berry]

Please note that I have split these posts off from the original thread of "Bugs and Fixes" in the stickies above. This was because Magshop's problem is not demonstrably a bug; and (b) the point of the Bugs and Fixes thread was to list in a relatively brief way the various identified bugs and whatever fixes might or might not have emerged to remedy them. Instead we were getting into a rambling discussion more appropriate to a separate thread.

[MagsGraphics]

Thanks for putting my question in the right place - I appreciate it, and apologize for placing in the wrong spot in the first place!

I'll give the Revo-Uninstaller a try and see what happens. Crossing my fingers!

[MagsGraphics]

Removed PSPX4.
Now when I insert the disk to re-install, it gives me this message:
"Your system has not been modified. To complete installation at another time, please run setup again."

When I press "OK," it closes the installer.

[df]

Try creating a new account on your computer with admin rights and installing there. Turn off all security features including anti-spyware and antivirus, make sure your firewall is turned off and if you have a third party firewall make sure that Windows Firewall isn't on also (Windows Updates turns that on for me occasionally, nice eh). Also turn off User Account Control. Then try installing on the other account. If it works you can turn it all back on the way it was and even delete the other account.

[MagsGraphics]

Thanks for your idea, Dan - unfortunately, when I tried to re-install it on the separate admin account, it gave me the same error message as above.

*knocking head against wall*

[df]

I'm stumped. Usually Revo will erase anything left behind and reinstalling is as if on a new machine. It's probably time to contact Corel directly.

[MagsGraphics]

I talked to Corel yesterday and they were stumped too.
I restored to yesterday morning so I'm back to the original problem of PSP hanging on start-up. And I installed PSPx3 - it does the same thing.

I really think SOMETHING is in the way of it starting up - and my first thought is Windows because it was their update that screwed it up in the first place. 2nd thought is Webroot - although I disabled it and tried to run PSP yesterday and that didn't fix it.

I'm really worried I'm looking at a full system restore to factory settings here...

In a (possibly)-related situation, other programs aren't working correctly either. Internet and email are fine (thankfully), but MSWOrd is glitching, freezing, and not printing...

???????

[wds937]

I really think SOMETHING is in the way of it starting up - and my first thought is Windows because it was their update that screwed it up in the first place.
...
I'm really worried I'm looking at a full system restore to factory settings here...
...Internet and email are fine (thankfully), but MSWOrd is glitching, freezing, and not printing...

You could possibly revert to a restore point from prior to the Windows update. Keep in mind you could lose system changes (good and bad) that occurred since that restore point.

[MagsGraphics]

I've done so many system restores that there aren't any more.
I'm backing up files, bc I anticipate a total system rollback to factory settings in my future. I just can't figure out what could possibly be left to try.