Having problem opening program

[Cheyenne]

Hello,
When I attempt to open my program (using the shortcut I created) The program begins to open (splash screen showing) then the computer makes noise and the program closes. I can click 4 or 5 times before I get it to open, and when it does the deck is not the same one I closed with, although my settings are for it to open with last deck used. This is in the error log
Date: 2/3/2008 2:33:25 PM Version: 8.4.1.2 Error:
Parameter is not valid.

Can you help?

[Programmer]

It might relate to a problem which I came across last week. Someone wrote to me because the program would not start up at all. It was to do with the DeckCollection.xml file being corrupted. I uploaded a fix for it (8.4.1.2 >> 8.4.1.3 I think), so if you install the current upgrade you should get it. Please post back if this does not fix it. Thanks!

Richard

[Cheyenne]

Hello Richard.
Installing 8.4.1.3 did not fix it same problem, it wont open for 4-6 tries and the last deck does not show when it does open. The deck is not so much a problem but not being able to open is frustrating. Thanks for your reply and your help.

[Cheyenne]

As an add on a new error message in the log with the newer version

Date: 2/3/2008 4:31:00 PM Version: 8.4.1.3 Error:
Main Error(7): Main Error(7D): Window class name is not valid. at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.WindowClass.RegisterClass()
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.WindowClass.Create(String className, Int32 classStyle)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.CreateHandle(CreateParams cp)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateHandle()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.get_Handle()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateGraphicsInternal()
at System.Windows.Forms.ThreadExceptionDialog..ctor(Exception t)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.OnThreadException(Exception t)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProcException(Exception e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnThreadException(Exception e)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
at System.Windows.Forms.SafeNativeMethods.ShowWindow(HandleRef hWnd, Int32 nCmdShow)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.ShowDialog(IWin32Window owner)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.ShowDialog()
at ap.a(String[] A_0) at ap.a(String[] A_0)

Thanks again

[Programmer]

Hi Cheyenne,

Well, as far as the deck being forgotten each time is concerned, that is easily explained. The program detects when it has closed as the result of an error and doesn't load any deck the next time round. This is to prevent any bug related to a particular deck endlessly repeating.

The error report is interesting. I have done a Google search on the underlying error ("Window class name is not valid") and the bad news is that it seems to be a DotNet bug which Microsoft haven't managed to fix yet, because they haven't been able to repeat it consistently. Like you, it seems that when other people get the error it is not all the time, which makes it hard to resolve. The only thing I can think of for the moment is to make sure that you are up to date with Windows updates.

There is something that puzzles me though. It looks to me as though the error is occuring just when the registration form appears, which only happens if the program is not registered. That would mean that on the odd times that the error doesn't happen, the registration form ought to appear OK. If so, as you are a registered user, why don't you enter your unlock code and register online? That would prevent the error from happening again because the program would bypass that sequence.

A kind of solution would be for me to change it so that the program runs instead of crashing, but in unregistered mode. Is that the case when you manage to run it anyway?

Cheers,
Richard

[Cheyenne]

Hello Richard,
The deck was not exactly forgotton, each time I reopened it loaded with the traditional tarot pack, and it didn't matter which deck I had been using previous, but I guess since the program had partially opened and then shut your explanation works for me.
I have registered on line and that particular error message has not repeated but it still takes 4 or 5 tries to open the program on my XP loaded laptop. This is the message repeated each time In the log.Date: 2/6/2008 9:21:48 PM Version: 8.4.1.3 Error:
Parameter is not valid.
Oddly enough I just bought a new machine running Vista home premium and the only problem so far is/was the shortcut problem. The program tried to reinstall the first time so again I deleted it and created my own. But it does open and load first click so far.
Following are 2 event messages from my XP computer that repeat in the event log each time I start the machine. Maybe this has something to do with it.


Event Type: Information
Event Source: Orphalese Deck Service
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 2/10/2008
Time: 2:24:25 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CHEYENNE-F892F7
Description:
AsyncCallBackActivateMachine: Can not connect to the remote host "gtcp://www.si-vs635.com:4999". System error message: The requested name is valid and was found in the database, but it does not have the correct associated data being resolved for.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


Event Type: Information
Event Source: Orphalese Deck Service
Event Category: None
Event ID: 0
Date: 2/10/2008
Time: 2:24:25 PM
User: N/A
Computer: CHEYENNE-F892F7
Description:
AsyncCallBackActivateMachine: EndInvoke can only be called once for each asynchronous operation.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
I hope this info helps out in some way, I love your program and I am impressed with the level of support you have given. Thanks, Cheyenne

[Programmer]

Hi Cheyenne,

As far as the problem on the Vista machine goes, I will put some better error handling in the next release so that at least users can get to run the program, even if it is unregistered mode. It will be better than nothing until I can find what is causing it.

As far as the XP machine goes, that "Invalid Parameter" error is always caused by the shortcut, in my experience. I see it myself sometimes if I have uninstalled and then reinstalled. What I tend to do is copy the shortcut created by install onto my quick launch bar. This means it is a copy of the old shortcut, but Windows Installer doesn't remove it on uninstall because it is in an unexpected location. Maybe you are doing something similar, in which case deleting it and making a new shortcut should fix it.

The errors in the Event Log are from the DeckService.exe, which is used by the File Exchange. Out of interest, do you ever use the File/Deck Exchange, and do you have any problems in doing so?

Thanks,
Richard

[Cheyenne]

Hello Richard,
Ok on the XP machine I deleted every shortcut I could see for Orphalese and pinned the .exe from the program to the start menu, it still does not open correctly even trying directly from the program file results in the same thing, the splash screen loads and then the program closes. The first time it worked fine, closeing and trying to reopen didn't work right. I have used the file exchange with no problem, that's actually how this all started, the last time I tried it would not connect and I found the update that way. Previous versions of the program worked fine but in the event viewer I would often see the deck service hung at startup. Thanks

[Programmer]

Hi Cheyenne,

Sorry I got the wrong end of the stick there because I read your previous post in a hurry. The "Invalid Paramter" error I was talking about is a windows error which appears as soon as you click on the short cut.

It sounds like whatever caused that "Window class name is not valid" error is causing other errors futher down the line, whether the registration form shows or not. I don't have anything more to go on at the moment but I will try to find out more about the error.

Cheers,
Richard

[Programmer]

Hi Cheyenne,

I was trying to find out some more about this "class name" error and I came across a couple of web pages suggesting it might have something to do with Windows "visual styles" not being applied correctly. Visual styles are, for example, if you have Windows XP you can have a space age type look or a traditional type look etc.

I thought it might be worth testing this idea, so I have compiled a version of the executable that doesn't do anything with visual styles, i.e. when you run it all the buttons etc will have the traditional look. It would be interesting to see if it fixes your problem though.

To make it easy I have uploaded it to the server as a single, zipped up executable. You can download it here: http://www.orphalese.net/downloads/tarotexetest.zip. Just unzip it to your tarot directory replacing the existing exe and let me know how you get on (take a back up of the exe first in case it doesn't work, of course).

Cheers,
Richard