PSPx9 suddenly slow to launch

[Puzzle33]

Hi, new to these boards but have been using PSP since version 4.
Recently noticed that my launch time has significantly increased (from a few seconds to almost a minute 'updating cache') and was wondering what might have caused this. I don't use macros or any plugins but really only process images and diagrams for worksheets as I am a teacher. My x9 is basically exactly the same now as it was when I installed it, apart from what has been automatically updated over the year.
PSPx8 was always slow launching and had the additional frustration of posting adverts on start up, so I was very glad to move to the much speedier x9.
Never had this problem until now with x9, but find it interesting that this issue is occuring after the release of 2018 and when I am being encouraged (by pop ups when I close the application) to upgrade to pro2018 for 'improved launch time'.
Do Corel's updates to older versions actually sabotage performance (in the same vein that Apple has been sabotaging its outdated iphones)?! Just seems very strange to me.
I'd be interested if others have experienced a similar pattern.
Regards
Darren

[Ken Berry]

I like a good conspiracy theory as much as anyone else, but I serious doubt this is a Corel plot to get people to upgrade... My PSP versions have always taken ages to open. In fact I just timed the opening of the dread PSP 2018 you are being urged by pop-ups to buy, and it came to 1 minute 10 seconds (timed) to be ready for use. But it has always been that slow and I guess I have just become used to it. Others will no doubt report quite different start-up times. I should also mention that that was the first start of PSP after rebooting the computer. Subsequent restarts of PSP within the same boot period are usually much faster.

Have you done anything within PSP which may have affected start-up. I note that you mention the cache being updated. That usually suggests to program is looking for any new photos or collections you may have added. So I have to ask what mode you start PSP in: Manage or Edit? (Many of us, myself included, choose Edit, though I acknowledge that quite a few users prefer Manage.)

This thread might also be worth reading: http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 67#p351267

[hartpaul]

One thing that might be causing a problem and this has occurred in just the last couple of months.
I noticed that after first boot up when I used any browser and tried to access any web page that there was a long delay , up to 2 minutes.
If I did something else locally and then say 10 minutes later used any browser it behaved normally.
This suggested to me that Windows 10 (in my case) was using up net access to such an extent that it slowed down any immediate attempts to connect.

Now since PSP phones home it might be running into this problem after start up.
Now that everything has settled in after 1 hour of being on line PSP 2018 started in 22 seconds and after closing, waiting for 30 seconds and then restarting , it opened in 13 seconds. In both cases I stopped timing when the new document dialog first appeared.

How does the start up time compare if you close internet access both after a first boot and a second opening of PSP 2018?

[JoeB]

Here's my experience with a test I just ran this evening. I hadn't used PSP since this morning.

1) Did a system restart (not a cold boot from turning off the computer and turning it on again, just the normal Restart procedure, because my system is a desktop and runs 24/7/365).
2) Clicked on my PSP 2018 32bit shortcut and immediately started the timer.
3) PSP loaded in 26 seconds to the workspace, with the rotating blue circle stopping and the program ready to go.
4) Closed PSP, waited a minute to make sure everything calmed down, and again started PSP and my timer.
5) PSP loaded in 10 seconds. Closed PSP 2018 32bit.

6) Without doing a Restart I started PSP 2018 64 bit. It took 21 seconds to load fully.
7) Closed PSP 2018 64bit, waited a minute, and then started it again. It took 10 seconds.

In all cases I am able to see that my plugins are available for use (I have Plugins 1 and Plugins 2 showing in my menu because I have lots of them!). I mention that because others have mentioned that their plugins don't load fast even if their PSP does.

I also open PSP in Edit mode by default. I have the Manage tab available, which I use all the time, but don't use Collections, only the Computer tab in the navigation panel.

I have my Zone Alarm firewall set to deny internet access to virtually all of my programs, including Corel's, but also have those programs set as Trusted. If I do a manual Check for Updates it checks for updates. I have PSP - and my other programs - set to never check for updates on their own.

I don't have slow loading with any of my PSP versions, unless anyone thinks the times I have set out above are slow.

[Jean-Luc]

I have similar times like JoeB. Tested 3 times.
Closing 2018.
CLosing my Chrome browser.
10 seconds waiting.
Starting 2018 :
Splash Screen appears after 3 to 4 seconds
Workspace appears after 11 to 14 seconds
Toolbars are responsive only after 20 seconds (rotating blue circle stopping)
I have a SSD.

[rondo]

PSP X9 on Windows 7- 64 bit PSP takes about 3 seconds to open into Manage space. I do have an SSD which does speed things up.

Seems to be all PSP versions with Windows 10- which Corel won't issue patches to keep up with the problems that the Windows 10 updates can cause. If they want to stay in the game they need to.

Suggest trying to run PSP in Compatibility mode for Windows 7- worth a try.

[Ken Berry]

rondo -- given what you said in this last post, can I ask if the details in your Profile under your avatar are still correct. You say there you are still using Vista, yet here are recommending using Win 7 in compatibility mode -- an option which would not be available in Vista...

If as I suspect you now have quite different equipment, could be please update your Profile?

[rondo]

Ken Berry-

Guess I hadn't updated my profile since I joined the forum- strange for you to be checking anyway what I have.

Currently using Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, Intel I5 6600k 3.5 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Crucial 2TB SSD, & Nvidia 1060 GPU with a Wacom tablet on my desktop PC.
Laptop- Fujitsu T935, Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, Intel I5 -5300U, 500 GB HD, 8GB RAM,Intel HD Graphics 5500, Wacom Dual Digitizer.

Currently using Corel PSP X6 & X9 32 & 64 bit versions.

Started with Corel Paintshop Pro X in 2005.

[JoeB]

Ken Berry-

Guess I hadn't updated my profile since I joined the forum- strange for you to be checking anyway what I have.

It's not strange in the least for Ken or others to be checking your profile to determine the system you are using and the PSP products. That's what the profile is for. Different issues can be the result of different systems and different PSP versions, and accurate profile information makes it easier for those responding to issues to determine in advance if the issue might be system specific based on our previous experience with postings. Otherwise we often find ourselves providing possible solutions that - once more specific information is provided by multiple (unnecessary) posts - we would have known weren't the correct solution given the system/PSP version being used if the poster had just provided accurate info in his/her profile to start with. And outdated info in the profile that conflicts with info provided in a post will cause an otherwise unnecessary request for clarification as to which info is correct.

[Ken Berry]

Thanks Joe. Definitely couldn't have said it better myself. And for Rondo, the only reason it might have been strange for me to have raised this at this late stage was having your Profile saying you were using Vista, but recommending someone else use compatability for a later Windows version. That just tickled my interest. But thanks for updating so quickly...

[Ozric]

At first, slow loading had become an issue with PSP 2018, now it is becoming an issue with older versions as well. My theory is it has something to do with the Windows Creators Edition Update. I think Microsoft made some major changes under the hood that Corel will need to address through Updates. I am using PSP 2018 and it was fine until the Windows Update.

[rondo]

I think Ozric identified the real problem- Windows 10 Creators Edition update. It's not just PSP experiencing problems with it, but I've seen issues in other software forums I participate in from the update. Why I will stick with Windows 7 as long as I can.

With the Windows 10 forced automatic update model there is no way for the average user to identify a problematic update- although you have 30 days to roll back to the prior version, but then you are only postponing the forced update that will come back.

With many software companies not yet use to the fact that these updates are often impairing and/or crippling their programs, the one or two patches issued per software cycle just doesn't cut it anymore. The burden is on them to stay on top of problems caused by Windows 10 updates.

An afterthought- without checking everyone's profile for their system specs, how many with SSD drives are experiencing a serious slowdown? For me, having upgraded to a SSD significantly sped up opening of all my programs. Prices are falling on SSD drives and their are a lot of sales frequently- it might help some.

[Puzzle33]

Thanks to Ken, and others who have contributed.
I tend to agree that the problems conincided with the Windows 10 creators update. Interestiingly my load times have returned to normal, but I have observed that occasionally the load is still really slow. I am starting in editor mode so the 'updating cache' delay isn't anything to do with loading thumbnails etc., but if the application is phoning home then this would be affected by other stuff my pc is processing at any given time.
I will continue to monitor and if I find out anything of significance will post back.
Best regards,
Darren

[Lonnie West]

PSPX9 on my system suddenly switched from launching within 5 seconds to over 3 minutes. I first noticed this behavior in November and have tried all the tips for clearing cache, changing folders to be indexed, resetting to defaults... to no avail.

I am running Windows 10 64 bit on a i7-4770. I've 16gig RAM, a 1TB Samsung EVO 850 SSD, and an nVidia video card with 4GB. The software ecosystem has been stable on this computer for well over a year (it is a production machine I primarily use for heavy audio and video production).

All other programs (and I've got some resource-hungry ones on this machine) are working perfectly, and performance test show everything is the same as it was a year ago.
Except for PaintShop Pro X9, which now needs 3 minutes instead of 5 seconds to open.

The comments about the Creator's Update intrigued me, so I tried setting the Compatibility Mode for PSPX9 to Windows 8.
Guess what? I'm back to a 5 second load time again!

Thought I'd share in case it helps anyone else.

Cheers!

[Joelle]

PSPX9 on my system suddenly switched from launching within 5 seconds to over 3 minutes. I first noticed this behavior in November and have tried all the tips for clearing cache, changing folders to be indexed, resetting to defaults... to no avail.

I am running Windows 10 64 bit on a i7-4770. I've 16gig RAM, a 1TB Samsung EVO 850 SSD, and an nVidia video card with 4GB. The software ecosystem has been stable on this computer for well over a year (it is a production machine I primarily use for heavy audio and video production).

All other programs (and I've got some resource-hungry ones on this machine) are working perfectly, and performance test show everything is the same as it was a year ago.
Except for PaintShop Pro X9, which now needs 3 minutes instead of 5 seconds to open.

The comments about the Creator's Update intrigued me, so I tried setting the Compatibility Mode for PSPX9 to Windows 8.
Guess what? I'm back to a 5 second load time again!

Thought I'd share in case it helps anyone else.

Cheers!

Yup, it's Microsoft again.

Oh how I wish PSP would run on a Mac so I could get rid of Mother-knows-best Microsoft!!
Or, not a chance of course, I could go back to Windows 7, where everything worked perfectly.
Can't say that for my new all singing and dancing computer, that has lots of everything and the ghastly Windows 10, grrr (

Joëlle