Observation: X9 extended start up time

[Davidk]

After long period of disuse (of X9) - probably well over a year, since I updated with the service pack that introduced the welcome page to this version - I was re-visiting a project I began using that version, and planned to use X9 for the changes/additions. And the program just would not launch: the splash screen appeared and the running dots just kept going forever, or so it seemed. Task manager showed no VS app or service running. And it seemed the only way to stop the forever splash screen was to re-start, which I did. The result on trying to launch x9 was the same, as was a subsequent cold start.

Seriously puzzled by this; the last time I used the program it launched and worked fine. But, it finally occurred to me that this was the sort of behaviour one got with the very first start after program installation. So I tried again, and this time just let it run. And after several really long minutes, the main workspace appeared. After I'd shut it down (later), I tried a re-start after about 5 sec (as one would for the 2nd start of the software after install) and the launch went as normal: splash screen for about 15 sec, then the workspace.

It strikes me that after a long period of disuse, the software may actually be programming for an "initial" start at the next launch - which seems the only explanation that fits what I observed. Has anyone else observed/experienced this?

[mxyzptlk]

I just encountered this exact behavior! I haven't touch VS9 for a while, but when I launched its behavior was exactly as you described. I got so frustrated that I contacted Corel tech support who talked me into reinstalling VS9. After all the cleanup prep, downloading, reinstalling, nothing changed! Still the same splash screen with the scrolling dots. But after reading your post, I just waited longer (reaaaallly long) and voila! the normal menu screen appeared. Thanks for your post, but no thanks to Corel tech support!