Problem with installation of PixInsight 1.8.6

[Susan]

This is my first time posting to this forum... I recently upgraded from PixInsight 1.8.5 to PixInsight 1.8.6, but am having a problem with the new version. I uninstalled the old version of PixInsight and rebooted my computer. I then installed PixInsight 1.8.6 and successfully reactivated it. When I launch the program, the workspace window opens as normal, but when I move the cursor over the Process Explorer tab I get the following system error message, "The program can't start because api-ms-win-core-libraryloader-l1-2-0.dll is missing from computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem." The program then hangs up. I have enclosed a screen shot of the error message. I have tried uninstalling and then reinstalling PixInsight 1.8.6 multiple times, but the system error persists. So I am at a loss as to what to do. How do I rectify this problem? PixInsight 1.8.5 was working fine for me. So why do I have this problem with the installation of PixInsight 1.8.6? Assistance would be much appreciated.

[RickS]

What version of Windows are you running?

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Susan,

This problem has been reported in several occasions after the 1.8.6 release by Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. Please note that this is a machine-specific problem with your Windows installation, which lacks a required file pertaining to your operating system. PixInsight is not causing these issues.

The information given in this Microsoft support request may help you. See also this Microsoft support article about restoring missing or damaged system files. If nothing of this helps, I strongly recommend you perform a complete reinstall of your operating system, preferably upgrading to Windows 10.

[bulrichl]

Hi Juan,

this is the same appearance that I encountered. I performed the check that you recommended, and in my case, Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

Please read the post of oldwexi:
https://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=13062.msg79482#msg79482
Taking his workaround (starting PI, starting a second instance of PI by typing "!!PixInsight -n" in the process console, then exiting the first instance), I can access Process Explorer with no error message and no black GUI.

Like oldwexi I don't think that the Windows 7 installation is corrupted. I installed all recommended Windows updates, and my system is running flawlessly for the rest.

My first impression was that only Intel Core i, "2nd generation" processors (Codename: Sandy Bridge) using the on-board graphics, HD Graphics 2000 or 3000, are affected. Intel has discontinued supporting these graphics on 24.06.2016 and does not support these graphics for Windows 10. According to Intel, HD Graphics 3000 supports Open GL 3.1. Please tell me whether Open GL 3.1 is sufficient for PI or not.

I wonder whether this issue is specific for certain processors and the usage of on-board graphics and want to encourage people who have this issue to report their processor, graphics and operating system (here: Intel i7-2600K, HD Grapics 3000, Windows 7 SP1).

Bernd

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Bernd,

The workaround that you've found, that is, running a second instance of the PixInsight core executable, is really weird to say the least. Needless to say, I have absolutely no idea why this is happening. However, if that works for you and solves the issues you are experiencing, then I am glad to know and have nothing else to say. As I have said many times, problematic graphics drivers may cause really odd problems, which in occasions may appear like magic. This looks like one of these cases.

According to Intel, HD Graphics 3000 supports Open GL 3.1. Please tell me whether Open GL 3.1 is sufficient for PI or not.

OpenGL 3.1 should be sufficient for PixInsight 1.8.6 (although any decent graphics driver should be providing OpenGL 4.0 at the very least today). The problem is not with the OpenGL version supported, but with the OpenGL implementation. In the case of Intel HD graphics drivers on Windows, these implementations are often defective. This happens frequently on Windows 7—which we no longer support as one of our mainstream platforms—, and rarely on Windows 10 with the latest driver versions. Of course, none of these problems exist on Linux and macOS, where OpenGL implementations are correct and up-to-date in virtually all cases.

Unfortunately, PixInsight 1.8.6 requires a working, fully standards compliant and fully operative OpenGL implementation (in theory, OpenGL 2.1 should be enough, although version 3 or higher is recommended). The difference with respect to version 1.8.5 is that the new version depends on more OpenGL features and hence is more demanding in this regard. Unfortunately, some Windows 7 machines, especially laptops and tablet-like machines with integrated Intel graphics, do not provide valid graphics drivers. This explains all of these weird problems on Windows. I'm afraid there is nothing I can do, besides recommending running the application on different machines and/or upgrading to Windows 10 with the latest graphics driver versions installed.

[Susan]

Thank you all for your replies...

Hi RickS... I am running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on a ThinkPad T420 with 8.00 GB RAM, Intel(R) processor Core(TM) i7 2620M CPU @ 2.7 GHz and Intel HD Graphics 3000

Hi Jaun... As you suggested, I first ran the System File Checker tool which did not find any "integrity violations" (as ...

I did a search on-line and downloaded the api-ms-win-core-libraryloader-l1-2-0.dll files that were missing on my computer and successfully installed them in their respective system file folders. I am now able to open PixInsight 1.8.6 without getting the system error message, BUT (always a but :-) when I move the cursor over the Process Explorer tab, the window goes black (as described by Bernd and other PixInsight 1.8.6 users, see https://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=13062.msg79482#msg79482). The work around described by Bernd has also worked for me.... Thanks Bernd! :-)

Now I am looking to see if there are driver updates that may be required on my computer (like graphics drivers etc.)... My Windows Updates are all up to date.

[Susan]

I discovered I do have the most up-to-date drivers for the HD Graphics 3000 card... Since Intel is no longer supporting the Intel HD Graphics 3000 card, and doesn't provide Windows 10 drivers either, then upgrading my Thinkpad T420 laptop to Windows 10 will not resolve the Process Explorer problem with PixInsight 1.8.6, will it?... Buying a new Windows 10 computer may be my only option if I want to use PixInsight 1.8.6?... Or use the "work-around" for now (or go back to using PixInsight 1.8.5)... But why does the work-around, i.e. running a second instance of the PixInsight core executable, resolve the Process Explorer problem. I am an engineer but not a computer engineer. I wish I was a computer engineering guru so I could figure out why (sigh)...

[Susan]

Hi Guys... It's me again... I just tried, for the fun of it, the PixInsight - Reset Settings and guess what? The problem with Process Explorer is now resolved!... Of course all my customized settings are gone, but that's okay. As long as I can use PixInsight 1.8.6 without having to buy a whole new Windows 10 computer! The little bit of extra work will be worth it!   

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Susan,

I am glad to know it's working! So, there is something in your previous configuration that has been causing, or at least triggering, these issues. Interesting, and very odd indeed. Believe me that all of these reports with strange problems on Windows are painful for me, especially because there is basically nothing I can do to solve them. So any report of success is very welcome!

[bulrichl]

Hi Susan,

according to your suggestion I tried the Reset PixInsight - and it worked for me as well. Of course this is even better than the workaround. Thank you for sharing your finding!

Hi Juan,

I appreciate that you took the time to answer. And I'm glad that I don't have to purchase a new computer - perhaps the old one is sufficient for me for some years. 

Bernd

[msmythers]

Of course now the question is will it happen again at some point?

Juan,

Is the PixInsight.ini in \AppData\Roaming\Pleiades\ the only file that changes when someone does a reset? Maybe someone who still has the problem could save that file for you to examine before they reset.


Mike

[bulrichl]

Hi Mike,

with the reset, in C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\Pleiades\ only the file  "PixInsight.ini" is removed, and it is saved to C:\Users\{username}\ as "PixInsight-{date+time}.conf".

If this file is useful, I can upload it.

Bernd

[msmythers]

Bernd

I think that will be the file of interest but Juan needs to answer on that.



Mike 

[Susan]

Hello Guys... I'm back. Unfortunately the problem I was experiencing with PixInsight 1.8.6 Process Explorer is back again. It happened when I tried to access the Online Video Tutorials. When I clicked on "RESOURCES", then "Learning", then "Online Video Tutorials", the window immediately went black and Process Explorer problem re-manifested; if I move the cursor over the Process Explorer tab, the window goes black!

Juan, I have enclosed a .zip file containing 1) the "PixInsight-20190102205856.conf" file that was created when I used the Reset Settings yesterday and 2) the "PixInsight.ini" file that was created this morning after the Process Explorer problem re-manifested and I subsequently closed PixInsight 1.8.6. I hope the PixInsight Technical Support Team will be willing to have a look at these files and can figure out what the problem is with PixInsight 1.8.6. Let me know if you require any additional information from me. Your attention to this matter is much appreciate.... In the meantime, I am going to uninstall PixInsight 1.8.6 and go back to using 1.8.5.

[oldwexi]

Susan,
as i found out and mentioned already on December 28th you dont have to
reinstall 1.8.5 again.
1.8.6 perfectly works on Win 7 Prof when starting a second instance of PixInsight. I tested this extensively.
(it costs only 2 mouseclicks...)

In my opinion its an issue with the graphic driver of my(your?) notebook,
because 1.8.6. worls perfect on my Windows 7 main PC which has a much better and newer graphic card.

Here again what i posted last year:
Have installed PI 1.8.6.1448 on PC with
Windows 7 Professional
When moving the mouse over the vertical "Process Explorer" bar,  i get a black workspace window without tools.
Pressing STG + ALT + H (or R..) opens the HistoryExplorer AND gets all other parts of the screen ok back again.
So, blacking out the WS Screen in my installation is connected only with the Process Explorer Bar.

Found a solution for the screen blackening on my Win 7 installation.
Open a second instance of PI which works than perfectly, no blackening of WS when moving the mouse over
the Process Explorer Bar!!
Next Step,  i close the first instance of PI and PI runs nicely on my Win 7 Installation.

This could be a hint for the user, before going back to 1.8.5 try starting PI as a second instance.
Maybe  for the developer a hint for checking the Process Explorer Bar routines.

I am  not a Win Guru - dont wont to become one anyhow - so i assume everything of Win 7 is installed properly but cant proof this.

Hope this helps - i can work with the latest version of PI under WIN 7 now without problems.

Gerald