V-com PowerDesk Pro remains in memory

[M. Treloar]

I use V-Comm PowerDesk Pro as an Explorer replacement. I
have been using PDesk Pro for a decade (Win95, NT, 98,
2000) and love it. However, with a recent upgrade to Win XP
Pro, PDesk remains resident in memory when I close the
program. After opening and closing 2 or more times, PDesk
refuses to open until I start Task Manager and kill the
multiple instances of PDesk still in memory.

V-Comm has not responded to my query and there is nothing I
can find on the net via Google.

This sounds like a more general problem ('program fails to
release memory') that should be well known and have some
utilities to trouble shoot.

The problem is consistent on 2 machines running XP Pro, so
I don't think it is an installation-specific issue. The XP
Pro installations were 'clean', not upgrades

 

[Malke]

I use V-Comm PowerDesk Pro as an Explorer replacement. I
have been using PDesk Pro for a decade (Win95, NT, 98,
2000) and love it. However, with a recent upgrade to Win XP
Pro, PDesk remains resident in memory when I close the
program. After opening and closing 2 or more times, PDesk
refuses to open until I start Task Manager and kill the
multiple instances of PDesk still in memory.

V-Comm has not responded to my query and there is nothing I
can find on the net via Google.

This sounds like a more general problem ('program fails to
release memory') that should be well known and have some
utilities to trouble shoot.

The problem is consistent on 2 machines running XP Pro, so
I don't think it is an installation-specific issue. The XP
Pro installations were 'clean', not upgrades

Unfortunately, you've already got your answer. The version of PDesk
you've got apparently doesn't work well with XP, a different operating
system. If V-Comm doesn't have an upgraded version or a patch, then you
are forced to deal with their tech support. Try them again. Otherwise,
sadly, you will have to accept that this software isn't coded properly
for XP, which is a PDesk issue. Perhaps you can find a user group or a
newsgroup dealing with this software?

Good luck,

Malke

 

[Bob Johns]

Unfortunately, you've already got your answer. The version of PDesk
you've got apparently doesn't work well with XP, a different operating
system. If V-Comm doesn't have an upgraded version or a patch, then you
are forced to deal with their tech support. Try them again. Otherwise,
sadly, you will have to accept that this software isn't coded properly
for XP, which is a PDesk issue. Perhaps you can find a user group or a
newsgroup dealing with this software?

Good luck,

Malke

Which version of PowerDesk are you using? I use v5.0.1.2 and it shows
none of the problems you are experiencing. It works fine with XP Pro.

Maybe you can try to remove PD and do a reinstall.

Bob J.
Guam U.S.A.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

Unfortunately, you've already got your answer. The version of PDesk
you've got apparently doesn't work well with XP, a different operating
system. If V-Comm doesn't have an upgraded version or a patch,

M. Treloar might also want to consider trying Novatix
ExplorerPlus, which is sort of a newer version of PowerDesk. I
saw "sort of" because Vcom is still in business, and still
offering PowerDesk, while Novatix is offering ExplorerPlus 6.0
(6.0 as compared to PowerDesk 5.0); what the relationship of the
two companies is, and why Novatix is offering what is essentially
a newer version of a Vcom product, I don't understand.

But I use ExplorerPlus here without problems, and like it a lot.

 

[mrtee]

It sure does. I have been in contact with V-Com support and have a new version which does the same thing. It even does it in safe mode.

The behavior had disappeared from my machine for about the last 4 months and it (not unloading) started again.

The way I handle it now is to minimize to the systray (prefrences).

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

| I use V-Comm PowerDesk Pro as an Explorer replacement. I
| have been using PDesk Pro for a decade (Win95, NT, 98,
| 2000) and love it. However, with a recent upgrade to Win XP
| Pro, PDesk remains resident in memory when I close the
| program. After opening and closing 2 or more times, PDesk
| refuses to open until I start Task Manager and kill the
| multiple instances of PDesk still in memory.
|
| V-Comm has not responded to my query and there is nothing I
| can find on the net via Google.
|
| This sounds like a more general problem ('program fails to
| release memory') that should be well known and have some
| utilities to trouble shoot.
|
| The problem is consistent on 2 machines running XP Pro, so
| I don't think it is an installation-specific issue. The XP
| Pro installations were 'clean', not upgrades
| --
| Murray

 

[Jerry]

Glad to hear someone identified a problem with PowerDesk Pro. I've been
using it for a while too and was getting very upset with its inability to
work with my XP Pro. Finally had to remove it. I was not able to figure out
what the problem was but I like your explanation.

Also, had problems with V-COM's Fix-it and had to remove it too. Must be
something they don't like with XP Pro.

I was runing PowerDesk Pro 5 and Fix-it 5.

It sure does. I have been in contact with V-Com support and have a new
version which does the same thing. It even does it in safe mode.

The behavior had disappeared from my machine for about the last 4 months and
it (not unloading) started again.

The way I handle it now is to minimize to the systray (prefrences).

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

| I use V-Comm PowerDesk Pro as an Explorer replacement. I
| have been using PDesk Pro for a decade (Win95, NT, 98,
| 2000) and love it. However, with a recent upgrade to Win XP
| Pro, PDesk remains resident in memory when I close the
| program. After opening and closing 2 or more times, PDesk
| refuses to open until I start Task Manager and kill the
| multiple instances of PDesk still in memory.
|
| V-Comm has not responded to my query and there is nothing I
| can find on the net via Google.
|
| This sounds like a more general problem ('program fails to
| release memory') that should be well known and have some
| utilities to trouble shoot.
|
| The problem is consistent on 2 machines running XP Pro, so
| I don't think it is an installation-specific issue. The XP
| Pro installations were 'clean', not upgrades
| --
| Murray

 

[mrtee]

Right now I am doing a complete reinstall to see if I can find out why it is not unloading. V-com said "
Response (V Communications Technical Support) 03/09/2004 01:49 PM
Try disabling all virus scanners for a while and see if that helps. Some other application is holding these threads open."

That didn't do anything, so I restored an image from November and am working with it. So far no problem.

What problem did you have with Fix-It?


--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

| Glad to hear someone identified a problem with PowerDesk Pro. I've been
| using it for a while too and was getting very upset with its inability to
| work with my XP Pro. Finally had to remove it. I was not able to figure out
| what the problem was but I like your explanation.
|
| Also, had problems with V-COM's Fix-it and had to remove it too. Must be
| something they don't like with XP Pro.
|
| I was runing PowerDesk Pro 5 and Fix-it 5.

 

[M. Treloar]

In

M. Treloar might also want to consider trying Novatix
ExplorerPlus, which is sort of a newer version of PowerDesk. I
saw "sort of" because Vcom is still in business, and still
offering PowerDesk, while Novatix is offering ExplorerPlus 6.0
(6.0 as compared to PowerDesk 5.0); what the relationship of the
two companies is, and why Novatix is offering what is essentially
a newer version of a Vcom product, I don't understand.

But I use ExplorerPlus here without problems, and like it a lot.

Thanks Ken. I am using the latest paid version (1.017). I
had the same problem with 1.012, which is the upgrade
version from the previous Software publisher (Mijenix)

I too have been using the minimize to systray workaround.

I will try Novatix.

 

[dh]

Installing Roxio software caused this in powerdesk for me.

 

[Mark]

The problem is consistent on 2 machines running XP Pro, so
I don't think it is an installation-specific issue. The XP
Pro installations were 'clean', not upgrades

I've never had any problems with PowerDesk 4 and 5 on XP Home, certainly
nothing you describe.

Mark

 

[mrtee]

Do you (or another poster) by any chance have HP photosmart software installed?

I did a complete reinstall and when I put on the HP software the not unloading issue returned. HP of course is no help since their software is working - to 'ell with anybody else.

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| I've never had any problems with PowerDesk 4 and 5 on XP Home, certainly
| nothing you describe.
|
| Mark
|
|
|

 

[luminos]

I had to remove Pro 5 and return to the version in System Suite. They are
worthless in support. The folder synchronize function GPFs every time under
XP Pro. They could care less. This is what happens when a good product is
bought out by some marketers, which is all V-com is.

 

[Mark]

Do you (or another poster) by any chance have HP photosmart software
installed?

I did a complete reinstall and when I put on the HP software the not
unloading issue returned. HP of course is no help since their software is
working - to 'ell with anybody else.

Not here, I did but unticked "PreloadApp" in Startup Control Panel by Mike
Lin to stop it loading at startup. It isn't necessary to be loaded at
startup.

Mark

 

[mrtee]

To stop WHAT? from loading at startup? Or what "PreloadApp" did you stop?

I have used "Startup Manager" for about 6 years: http://www.mlin.net/, works great.

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

| Not here, I did but unticked "PreloadApp" in Startup Control Panel by Mike
| Lin to stop it loading at startup. It isn't necessary to be loaded at
| startup.
|
| Mark
|
|
|

 

[Mark]

To stop WHAT? from loading at startup? Or what "PreloadApp" did you stop?

I have used "Startup Manager" for about 6 years: http://www.mlin.net/,
works great.

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________


| Not here, I did but unticked "PreloadApp" in Startup Control Panel by
Mike | Lin to stop it loading at startup. It isn't necessary to be loaded
at | startup.
|
| Mark

You asked if any one had HP photosmart software installed. I do but stopped
PreloadApp from running at startup. This is listed in Startup Control Panel
as a HP photosmart program. Not sure if it makes andy difference but I don't
have any problems with PowerDesk.

Mark

 

[mrtee]

Okay, I have 5 items from HP running at statup in Startup CPL, they are:

1) CamMonitor | C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Unload\HpqCmon.exe


2) HPDJ Taskbar Utility | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb07.exe


3) HPHmon04 | C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon04.exe

4) HPHUPD04 | C:\Program Files\HP Photosmart 11\hphinstall\UniPatch\hphupd04.exe


5) Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon | C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe

Which one (if you have the same) is "PreloadApp"?

In task manager there are 6 processes running:

1) hpgs2wnd.exe [matches #5 above]

2) hpgs2wnf.exe [C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnf.exe]

3) hphipm11.exe [C:\Program Files\HP Photosmart 11\hphinstall\w2kio\hphipm11.exe] and [C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphipm11.exe]

4) hphmon04.exe [matches #3 above]

5) HpqCmon.exe [matches #1 above]

6) hpztsb07.exe [matches #2 above]

So #2 and 3 have been added and #4 [from above] is missing but appears in TM if I click on Web Update from the menu.

Does this match what you have? Thanks for the help.


--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

|
| You asked if any one had HP photosmart software installed. I do but stopped
| PreloadApp from running at startup. This is listed in Startup Control Panel
| as a HP photosmart program. Not sure if it makes andy difference but I don't
| have any problems with PowerDesk.
|
| Mark
|
|
|

 

[Mark]

Which one (if you have the same) is "PreloadApp"?

None. I only have in one line with the program name PreloadApp:
c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\hphprld.exe
c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\setup.exe -d

I've no idea where it came from or what it is, it was installed on the laptop
when I bought it. I don't use Photosmart.
I have no processes running.

Mark

 

[mrtee]

Thanks Mark.

Still looking to see if I can find the problem (hook that is keeping the program open). The wortst part is that I get the same behavior with ExplorerPlus and 2 other file manager programs that I have tried.

Press "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" to bring up task manager, I'll bet that you have processes running!

--
Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

| mrtee (hingelicker@new$.rr.com) wrote:
|
| > Which one (if you have the same) is "PreloadApp"?
|
| None. I only have in one line with the program name PreloadApp:
| c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\hphprld.exe
| c:\hp\drivers\printers\photosmart\setup.exe -d
|
| I've no idea where it came from or what it is, it was installed on the laptop
| when I bought it. I don't use Photosmart.
| I have no processes running.
|
| Mark
|
|
|