Vectorworks 11 & 11.0.1 crash shortly after loading

[Steve_S]

System & application info:

Application: Vectorworks 11 (First complete version)

Application Versions: 11 & 11.0.1(Update)

Licensed Products: Vectorworks & Renderworks

Operating System: Windows XP Professional -Service Pack 2

Computer: Gateway ATXAEG LX2 700XL

Manufacture Date: 07/12/02

RAM: 2 GB

File System: NTFS

Hard Drive Size: 120 GB (disk - 26 % full)

Graphic Board: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4600 (Updated to latest display driver - 11/09/04)

Memory: 128 MB

Bios Information: Version 4.25.0027

Security software: Norton Internet Security 2005 (enabled)

Mouse: Logitech MX1000 Laser Cordless (latest driver / software installed)

Monitor: Wacom Cintiq 18SX Interactive Display

Before I updated my NVIDIA driver, Vectorworks 11 would always display an error message immediately upon exiting the program:

The message read: "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library - RUNTIME ERROR! - Program:C:\Progra~1\Vector~1\Vectorworks.exe - Abnormal Program Termination"

It would then close down abruptly. After updating the driver, the application exited normally and everything within Vectorworks functioned properly. The application appeared to be quite stable.

At this time Service pack 1 was installed. Because another newly installed graphics program was behaving erratically, I had to correct the problem by installing Service Pack 2.

After installing the second Service Pack, Vectorworks launched /loaded properly but only stayed open for approximately 60 seconds before abruptly crashing. No error messages appeared at all. I can hasten the crash by clicking on any of the menu selections at the top of the screen, once the application completely loads.

At this point, the application is totally useless because it just won't stay open.

I've uninstalled the program several times and reinstalled it with and without the update. It always behaves the same way, crashing within the first minute of loading. I don't even have to touch anything with the mouse or move anything on the screen. It automatically crashes every time within the first 60 seconds that it's opened.

I've also tried several installations with Norton Internet Security disabled (both anti-virus & firewall protection disabled)

I suspect that maybe this problem may be linked in some way to a registry corruption only because it's one of the only other things I haven't looked into at this point.

Any suggestions as to how I can resolve this problem would be greatly appreciated.

[ 01-01-2005, 06:18 PM: Message edited by: Steve_S ]

[Steve_S]

That's the solution I was looking for, Katie.

Thanks for your assistance with this. Much appreciated.

I hope your new year's a happy and prosperous one.

__________________________________________________

ON FRIDAY 12/31/04 AT 9:07 AM ET KATIE ROBERTS WROTE:

Steve,

Yes, it sounds like a registry entry problem - most likely a culprit of SP2.

To edit the registry, follow the steps below very carefully.

Go to the Start menu and select Run.

Type in REGEDIT

Click OK

Along the left side you will see a number of keys.

Click on the plus sign next HKEY_Current_User

Click on the plus sign next to Software

Right click on the Nemtschek folder and select Delete.

Repeat the above steps for HKEY_Local_Machine

Click on the plus sign for HKEY_USERS

You'll see two folders that have a really long number - one ends in classes and one does not end in classes.

Click on the plus sign next to the one that does not end in classes.

Click on the plus sign next to SOFTWARE.

You may or may not see a Nemetschek folder. If you do, delete it as you did in the above steps.

Once this is done, go to the menus at the top and select Exit from under Registry or File.

Restart the computer and launch VW again. You will be prompted to enter a user name and serial number again.

I will only be in the office part of the day today. If you need assistance after one pm eastern time, send me an email. I won't be able to get to it today, but I should be able to check my mail tomorrow and Sunday. Otherwise, I'll be back in on Monday.

Katie Roberts

Tech Support Specialist

Nemetschek North America

(410)290-5114 x678

katie@nemetschek.net

www.nemetschek.net

[ 01-01-2005, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: Steve_S ]

[Kevin]

Katie is the best! Thank you for another year of generous help and advice.

[Guest]

Thank you!

[TerriP]

I had exactly the same symptoms as Steve_S: VW 11.0.1 would load fully, I could use the toolbars etc, but as soon as I clicked on any menu item, the application abruptly aborted without any error messages. The problem appeared shortly after I had updated NVIDIA drivers to version 66.93. My system has a similar spec. to Steve_S's, but the graphics card is GeForce4 Ti 4200 and the O/S is Windows XP Home - SP2.

Katie's solution worked for me too. Thanks!