System lockups

[rwparker]

I just installed VSL for the first time, and my computer (which has been behaving flawlessly for years) has begun to lock up: mouse doesn't move, system doesn't respond to keyboard including CTRL+ALT+DEL; and then it won't reboot until I run some sort of low-level CHKDSK (usually with /p from the recovery console).

I thought it might have something to do with the USB key, since the problems started before the libraries were installed. I don't know if it has to do with the engine, since I've not even been able to produce a single note yet.

I suppose I could dredge up another machine and try it with that system instead...

And, by the way, is there any official technical support for this product provided by the manufacturer, or is the kindness of strangers on this forum all that stands between me and the abyss?

Thanks!
Robert

[cm]

welcome robert,
although it is titled VSL userforum you will find a lot of VSL team members here answering questions, but of course you could also write to support@vsl.co.at or contact the seller of the product.

since you mention CTRL-ALT-DEL and USB i'd assume we talk about some ViennaInstruments product on PC.
because you also mention the need of running checkdisk and the recovery console it seems you're either on windows 2000 or XP and i'm wondering if your system disk might be still formatted with FAT32 instead of NTFS.
unfortunately the Syncrosoft License Control Center does not work on FAT32 formatted partitions, so if my guess is correct you had to convert your filesystem to NTFS (what i'd recommend anyway)

*mouse does not move* could also be a hint to a MIDI-loop, but for further ideas we would need a little bit more information ...
christian

[rwparker]

Thanks for the support address--they're my next step.

Silly me for not being for immediately forthcoming with system info. Windows XP SP/2, dual core P4, 4GB Ram, 32MB video RAM, separate OS and audio HDDs, MOTU 196HD via firewire for sound, a separate MOTU 8-port MIDI device (I forget the device name at the moment) via USB; and no, the disk is not Fat32 (shudder), it's DEFINITELY formatted NTFS.

I haven't even gotten to the point where I can try to play the sounds. The machine hung just trying to start the VSL stand-alone engine. It also hung the first time I tried to post to this forum, without any VSL/VST/MIDI/sound applications running.

My initial guess is that it's a USB problem with the security dongle, but that's as yet unsubstatiated by experiment.

Robert

[cm]

so let's go through the next steps ...
- you installed the license control center and can see the license(s) for your product(s) listed there.
- you have installed the vienna instruments software (which seems to have been successful, otherwise you couldn't launch the standalone)
- possibly you have actually installed your collection(s)

are there any firewall and/or anti virus applications running on your system (besides the built in firewall) and what in detail makes you considering it is not a USB problem?
strange behaviour though ... christian

[rwparker]

@Another User said:

are there any firewall and/or anti virus applications running on your system (besides the built in firewall) and what in detail makes you considering it is not a USB problem?

No firewall. McAfee is installed but not running on-access scans; it's only there to do on-demand scans. I thought that it was a USB problem because the problem began occurring the minute I plugged in the USB key.

Robert

[cm]

re-reading through your posts i have to admit not to know exactly where to start searching for the culprit ..
please duoble check your mcAfee application has not installed any additional firewall, then clean uninstall Vienna instruments software (from START - Settings - Control Panel - Add/Remove Software) and the license control center (in this order) - you don't need to remove the data files of your collection(s).
make sure you have the latest version of both (syncrosoft.com/downloads and vsl/user area/Vienna Instruments/) and re-install first LCC having the key already plugged in after a reboot of the machine.

if the behaviour is still *normal* install VI software and launch the directory manager to re-assign data paths according to the video (i'd recommend the drag&drop method) http://vsl.co.at/en-us/68/375/243.vsl

let me know how things continue ... christian