PD9 fails to start - Support not helping

Bubba in TX

Senior Contributor Location: Central Texas Joined: Dec 12, 2009 21:32 Messages: 1332 Offline

Solved by

Mar 24, 2011 15:23

My Geforce 8400 worked fine in PD with only 500 meg.... I only updated my video card so I could play a particular game. I still have two 8400 series cards that work fine.

Frank.... there are lots of PCI cards available out there. Not as many AGP any more. But finding a straight PCI card should be no problem. Tiger Direct and a lot of other places have them http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=28&sel=Detail;55_158_2872_2872 and at good prices.

And AGP http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=28&sel=Detail;55_158_2064_2064

From what I can remember from using PD5 way way back then... compared to what I can do now in PD9 is that really it isn't the same program.

The following is not addressed to anyone in particular, but is something I have wanted to say for years in here. I guess I am lucky as I have never had any real problems with any version of PD except Version 7. I am by no means a computer guru. I was using computers back in the 70's. (military) I have had to write my own programs before I could use them (unix) My first hard drive was 5 meg. (I was so excited over that) Remember tape drive? Had them... 10 inch floppies.

You guys give up too easily...... yes you may have to upgrade hardware.... no the software world is not fair. It may work flawlessly on one computer, and not at all on another. But anyone that thinks it's always the software's fault, needs to get around that way of thinking. I am not defending PD9 as it is the same with all software. Any forum search for any brand of software will show the same results. Some love it with no problems, some hate it with problems.

The bottom line is, how much effort you want to put into making the software work on your machine. I have built hundreds of computers by hand. (parts off the shelf) Even using the SAME hardware, (motherboard, cpu, power supply, hard drive, cd drives, memory) some will behave differently.

Just keep plugging along and hopefully all the PD gurus in here can figure out what it is that your particular computer needs to have done to get PD9 going. If Dafydd or Adrian , and others could actually have your computer plopped down on their desk I am sure they would see what was going on quickly. But since that is not an option, all we can do is ask you questions, even if you do not see any reason for some of them, and DO NOT get insulted when someone says your computer is a little below the power line. Just because you have a "new" latest and greatest computer does not mean a lot when it comes to software. There are just so many simple things that will make software stumble.

Do not give up.... but remember it is a combination of things, your computer, Your OS, your software (don't forget that installed software can conflict with each other too), and your frame of mind.

At least I am glad I do not have to write my own code like 35 years ago. That's one mans opinion, you mileage may vary.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Mar 24. 2011 16:26

__________________________________________
Windows 8 Pro 64 bit

CyberLink PowerDirector 10 Tutorials
PDtoots PowerDirector Tutorials

**NOTICE**
When you are asked to provide a DXDIAG you go the following link and do part "B". Your posted specs are NOT what we are looking for as they tell us nothing. The specs on the box of your computer mean nothing. The DXDIAG shows us how your computer is configured as it runs.

DXDIAG Link

garioch7

Senior Contributor Location: Port Hood, Nova Scotia, Canada Joined: Feb 07, 2011 06:45 Messages: 852 Offline

Mar 24, 2011 15:42

Well said, Bubba! Have a great day.

Regards,
-Phil

wychwoods

Newbie Joined: Feb 24, 2011 15:32 Messages: 7 Offline

Mar 24, 2011 18:10

Hi Dafydd,
Thanks for the information about the 30 day refund. Now I'm a week over that time because it took me so long to realise you guys on the Forum were the ones to help me.

I must admit I didn't realise there was a trial version of PD9. Buying the full version was perhaps a kneejerk reaction on my part based on satisfactory experience with the PD5 Special Edition plus a glowing review of PD9 in PCPro magazine.

Looks like it is a case of mea culpa.

But... here's a thought.
Given that nobody is short of disk space to distribute or use software nowadays, and the fact that software can identify all the hardware components inside a PC, why doesn't a demanding package like PD9 actually check the hardware available during installation? That way nobody would end up with an unhelpful stalled splash screen but would instead have an error message detailing the problem and indicating the solution?

So the bottom line is I'm prepared to take the rap for not reseaching enough before buying, but CyberLink really should do some work to design their system a little better. If PD9 has very specific hardware requirements, then use the power of software to check and see if the hardware is up to the job.

Enough - thanks for your help - I appreciate it.
Frank

wychwoods

Newbie Joined: Feb 24, 2011 15:32 Messages: 7 Offline

Mar 24, 2011 18:13

Hi Bubba,
It's good to hear that there might be some graphics cards out there that could help me - so thank you!

You make a good point about not giving up too soon when trying to get a new package working. This is my mentality too (along with actually repairing domestic appliances rather than trashing them, kids cannot do that now). However, surely software today is a commodity that should follow the expectations of most other purchases and just work, first time, without the need for assistance from tech support?

Oh, and I do remember punching cards at college and the one-week turnround to find you had an error on card #1. What fun!

Thanks,
Frank

Bubba in TX

Senior Contributor Location: Central Texas Joined: Dec 12, 2009 21:32 Messages: 1332 Offline

Mar 25, 2011 02:11

Thanks Frank...

We actually do know how you feel, we wish we had better input Cyberlink too. But those that get in here and rant and rave about cant download, wont open, ect ect are preaching to the choir. Sad as it is, we have absolutely no influence on Cyberlink in here.

If it wasn't for the collective use of intelligent long time users in here helping people like you and me from their own aggravation and experiences we would not be able to get much done on our own. I normally have no problems because i am not trying to do anything in HD. I am happy with 4:3 at 720p. The only time I do the HD stuff is to try to replicate a problem someone else is having. Sometimes I get the same error, sometimes it works like it is supposed to do. I have been using PD since version 5. For me its still far better than what I used to use. Even between the version updates that cause problems. I always find the version that my machine likes best and use that one. I was very happy with PD6. PD8 was another one my then new machine liked. We won't talk about PD7 in my house

I am in the middle of one of my annual projects. A graduation video for the local High School. A 2 hour 10 minute slide show video this year (this year it will be dual layer DVD's due the the length because of more Seniors this year) with around 800 pictures this year. Only a couple of 30 second videos, with about 850 transitions and probably almost 900 titles. All animated (moving) with whatever music the kids are listening to right now. I make 250 copies to hand out and it gets shown to about 1,800 people on a 20 square foot screen with awesome sound system. (at no cost to the school, students, or parents) I only do it for one reason. The standing ovation they give me after the show ends is worth it all.

Plus it really is a great show. Takes me two months to make it.

I get all of my DVD's off ebay. Only way I can afford so many. I go through at least 100 a month on a slow month.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Mar 25. 2011 02:16

__________________________________________
Windows 8 Pro 64 bit

CyberLink PowerDirector 10 Tutorials
PDtoots PowerDirector Tutorials

**NOTICE**
When you are asked to provide a DXDIAG you go the following link and do part "B". Your posted specs are NOT what we are looking for as they tell us nothing. The specs on the box of your computer mean nothing. The DXDIAG shows us how your computer is configured as it runs.

DXDIAG Link

rsm

Newbie Joined: Feb 28, 2011 15:41 Messages: 16 Offline

Mar 25, 2011 09:14

Hi Robert2 S

I note what you say but I thought that the cards listed were for use with Nvidas CUDA. Tech support in initial replies have not said anything about my graphics card being underpowered. When I purchased the software my pc including the graphics card meets the minimum requirements to run the software on the box.

At present I would just like it to open to even see what it is like.

Strange why Pinnacle studio 15 will run quite happily and PD9 won't even open.

thanks

rsm

Bubba in TX

Senior Contributor Location: Central Texas Joined: Dec 12, 2009 21:32 Messages: 1332 Offline

Mar 25, 2011 10:10

rsm....

That's just the thing about minimum requirements.... in the software world that actually means minimum performance. Video editing is the most strenuous thing you will ever put you video card and CPU's through. Those "super" games don't even come close. They use the super video cards just to get good on the fly graphics rendering and frame rates. The same thing helps with your video rendering.

You cannot compare the reason why Pinnacle will run and PD9 wont. They may both be video editing software but that's all they have in common. When I go into Pinnacle forums I see the SAME issues there too.

Everyone gets confused when one software will run and then another one wont. Even those of us that do not have issues. Why does it run well on my computer and not yours? Unfortunately in all of the Power Director Forums PD6 - PD9 you see a lot of people with the wont start issue. What you don't see a lot is when a solution works, they never come back and let us know it worked. And another thing you never see is what the actual volume of sales are or actual volume of people that have no problems at all. Normally people only come here when the need help. If you look at the numbers, that's really not very many people. Even out of that number there are those that just ask editing "hot do I" questions.

I chase around in 21 different forums for other software and hard ware. it's the same in all of them.

So far I have always been able to get all the pesky software to run on my machines. There is a reason it won't and you have to figure out why it won't. When Pissta.... er Vista came out, almost none of my good old software I was using would run on it. So I spent a LOT of money getting upgrades. Then Win7 came out, I use the 32 bit version, and now I am running 25 year old 16 bit software with no problems other than I have to be careful naming files at times. (the old 16 character thing)

It took a while on some but I usually figure out what I have to do to get it to run. Usually a registry tweak or rebuild. There is a reason it will not run on your computer and it is not ALL PD's fault.

By the way I tried Pinnacle in the past.... it cannot do hardly anything I can do in Power Director. It's title use and structure still sucks. Windows Movie Maker is better and it's free.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Mar 25. 2011 10:11

__________________________________________
Windows 8 Pro 64 bit

CyberLink PowerDirector 10 Tutorials
PDtoots PowerDirector Tutorials

**NOTICE**
When you are asked to provide a DXDIAG you go the following link and do part "B". Your posted specs are NOT what we are looking for as they tell us nothing. The specs on the box of your computer mean nothing. The DXDIAG shows us how your computer is configured as it runs.

DXDIAG Link

Hal9000

Newbie Joined: Jul 11, 2011 18:27 Messages: 5 Offline

Jul 11, 2011 22:47

I look at Senior Contributor Robert2 S's reference to:
http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector/requirements_en_US.html

It seems a tad curt. We out here are looking a references like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_gpu

and wondering if support is Robert2 S's motive.

I just read the entire cover of a PD9 deluxe retail carton, and I see no reference to GPU or video card requirements. There's a lot of stuff on the cover, but with the severe GPU restriction absent, an accident no doubt. Take a look yourself, but bring a magnifying glass, it's apparently not designed for humans to read with the naked eye.

But perhaps I'm insubordinate. Perhaps we should be QUIET involuntary beta-testers.

Robert2 S

Senior Contributor Location: Australia Joined: Apr 22, 2009 05:57 Messages: 1461 Offline

Jul 11, 2011 23:09

Hal, if you want curt you could actually look under "Requirements" in my posted link and you would see in black and white the requirements for PD.

I get tired of people with old computers or underpowered laptops complaining how PD doesn't work properly or crashes all the time. If you don't like PD go spend $800-$1,000 on some of the competitors editing programs and see if you do any better. My youtube channel====> http://www.youtube.com/user/relate2?feature=mhsn

Dafydd B

Senior Contributor Joined: Aug 26, 2006 08:20 Messages: 11973 Offline

Jul 12, 2011 04:42

I for one have always appreciated Robert's willingness to assist a fellow editor. Giving of his time freely and not mincing around, straight talking which can be understood by all (we have many non-English speakers here who rely on online translations). Please reconsider your view Hal, it is not the one I hold of Robert.

Hal, I have taken a quick look over your posts on this forum so far. Umm - not a good start, I see a number of senior editors have passed comments on your contributions so far.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Jul 12. 2011 04:52