PSPx5 will NOT start (plus other issue...)

[serloren]

I've been using PSP since version 4 in the Jasc days, and I have to say that I never had an issue with the app of any sort until after Corel took over the company. Since then, every version has had continued issues, bugs, and just plain serious annoyances. Due to this, I stuck with X2 for quite a while, and actually only bought X4 a handful of months ago, and I only just bought X5 because with the sale and upgrading price, it was $29.95.

I am now wishing I hadn't bothered to move from X4 - although it took me some screwing with for a while, it was running decently overall except for what has been a BIG complaint from me for a very long time: ridiculously bad at handling large files (say anything over 5MB tops before crud starts to stall, hang, crash out etc).

So, I installed X5, downloaded all the content and installed it, along with the update (apparently the CD itself is pre-SP1), and everything installed just fine, and even after loading up all my plug-ins, it ran without a problem (as did X4 which I still had installed as well). At this point, my only "issue" was that the app no longer allows me to dock palettes to any edge of the window as it had in the past, but will ONLY dock to the facing left (east) side of the main window - this is utter baloney and hacks me to no end as I have used the opposite side for years! But I figured, if I found no answer to this problem (anyone?), and it was the worst problem I ended up with - I'd learn to live with it (grudgingly so!).

Before I go any further, below is a layout of my system:

Dell Inc. Inspiron 546
2.70 gigahertz AMD Athlon II X2 215 Dual-core
6GB DIMM
1.2 Terabytes total storage
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 video card (audio is onboard)

Windows 7 Professional (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)

I have Adobe Master Collection CS4, and have not had these issues at all with any of these apps, or any other graphics intensive progs I use (such as: DxO FilmPack2, Portrait Professional, etc).

Plugins I use (and added to X5):

Alien Skin Snap Art 2
Almathera
Flaming Pear collection
KPT Collection
Nik Software:
(Color Efx Pro 3.0 Complete, Dfine 2.0, Sharpener Pro 3.0 (both pre and output), Silver Efx Pro, Viveza 2)
Redfield
Topaz Labs BW Effects

Now on to the problem at hand...

I did this installing and checking yesterday, and tonight when I sat down to use the program to edit some photos from our very recent family vacation...it refuses to load/open AT ALL. Nothing I do or try has managed to make it start up. X4 still starts up and runs fine, but X5 never goes anywhere. I see a slight flicker which is likely the splash screen trying to open (I always turn that off), but it's just that - a minor flicker - and then nothing else. In my system processes, it jumps around non-stop, up-n-down repeatedly (never using more than 50-55 %), and never going higher than 30-35,000K of memory (and before anyone asks, I only have both versions going in the JPG to illustrate my point - although I have tried it every which way, including changing settings to high, above normal, etc,).

Like I said, X4 ran fine before this, and still does, X5 ran fine YESTERDAY and now won't load at all. I have a sneaky suspicion that somehow one of my plugins IS causing this, but without being able to open the app...I am unable to remove them from X5 (and resetting databases did NADA to change anything).

I gotta tell you, I'm about ready to give up on Corel entirely and forever at this point - every version comes riddled with bug crap, adds bunches of crud I don't want/need, takes out functions I use, and does a poor job of handling files. Like I said, I have a full Adobe boat, but I got used to computer graphics work using PSP, and liked the simplicity of function well enough that Adobe gets opened when I need it only...but that is about to change at this point.

Any ideas that anyone has (over and above the standard usual stuff (like reinstalls etc (I "work" in IT/IS for a living, my art is hobbyist)) will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas!

serloren

[LeviFiction]

By "Resetting databases" you mean resetting the program to factory defaults?

If it is a plugin you just have to change the folder name or file extension to remove the plugin from the program. Plugins are loaded dynamically so you just have to remove them from PSP's sight to get rid of them.

[serloren]

"By "Resetting databases" you mean resetting the program to factory defaults? "

No. Cannot reset to factory defaults without starting the program. I mean using the Resetting DB function in X5 which is found right in the start menu folder.

"If it is a plugin you just have to change the folder name or file extension to remove the plugin from the program. Plugins are loaded dynamically so you just have to remove them from PSP's sight to get rid of them."

If you mean to suggest that I go in and rename each of my plugin folder names that would be a royal pain, and would likely cause me to have to "relocate" each one of them again not only in PSP (if they are even the problem), but in the other apps I use from Adobe and others that utilize them.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[serloren]

Attempted folder/plug name changes - nothing changed: still hangs during startup at about 50-ish% cpu usage, and 35,000k-ish memory...

Going to try uninstalling X4 (though it should not cause this), and then trying again. If that doesn't do it, will uninstall X5, clean out registry of Corel refs, and try a "new" install.

If this doesn't work, I may very well call Corel insist on the 30-moneyback, and dump PSP and Corel altogether (No upgrading my Painter or other Corel stuff either).

[serloren]

I've got it all in and so far it is working (plugins apparently weren't the issue as it works with them all installed (though I have decided to forgo a couple of my Nik ones that I seldom use and can still access via Photoshop, Illustrator, etc)).

Now we'll see how LONG it runs!!

Also, still not happy and want a solution to being limited to right-side docking of palettes - so any info/ideas/help there would be appreciated.

Marry Christmas and God bless y'all!

[LeviFiction]

You're not the only one upset by the palettes. I complained about it during the beta. Still holding out hope that they'll give us back the docking options but there is no real workaround.

And you don't have to start the program to reset it. Well....technically you do. Start the program while holding down Shift. It should ask if you want to reset to factory defaults. A little late, though I am glad you found a solution.

[Jane]

Dear Flaming Pear plug in users,

I would like to know which Flaming Pear plug ins you have successfully installed on PSP x5? I have Photoshop CS6 on Mac and Flaming Pear's Flexify is crashing. I also cannot use Designer Sextet and Creative Pack because I think the maker has not updated them. I am thinking of installing Windows 7 on my Mac mainly so I can run these plug ins, but I would be very grateful if someone could tell me which Flaming Pear plug ins work on PSP x5.

Thank you,

Jane

[Kathy_9]

Hi Jane,

It would probably have been better to start your own thread with a title that referenced Flaming Pear Plug-ins; maybe a mod will do that for you.

I'm running X5 on Windows 7 Professional and all the Flaming Pear plug-ins work fine for me. I have all the freebies in addition to Flood and Flexify 2.

Kathy

[Jane]

Thank you Kathy,

I have purchased Win 7 Home to install on my Mac and PSP x5 so I will find out soon whether the older Flaming Pear software works or not. Thanks for the encouragement.

PS I do not know how to start new thread---sorry about that

[JStanley]

FWIW:
I haven't had any problems using the Flaming Pear Freebies in any recent PSP versions...

[DPainter]

Haha... The palette docking is the tip of the ice burg what don't like about X4 X5. The list is just to long. Despite the upgraded tool coding in the newer versions the interface is just far to over complicated adding steps to function that can be done simpler and quicker in older versions. I haven't seen X2 or X3. I have X1 and just bought X4 over X5 because the difference is so small and the online purchase system wouldn't work. (PayPal.) I found X4 in at a local store. After trying to get used to X4, to much of the basic functionality of X1 was gone. X4 is slow and fickle in comparison.

I've just gone back to X1. It's far more functional and user friendly without all the clutter and unnecessary Manage, Adjust modes that work just find if not better in the Organizer and workspace of X1.

I don't edit photos. I use it to paint. Create textures for 3D models. I use the organizer constantly. Change files and look for objects I have. I create lots of Vector based logo's and brands. I edit text in vector.

X4 and X5 have just made the work I do far slower and frustrating.

Unless Corel totally rethinks the direction their taking this product and makes the tools function as fast with the clarity they used to I want be buying another version again.